— Why Tickhaven —
What working with us actually means
Watch repair should be a conversation, not a mystery. Here is what we bring to every piece that comes through the door.
← Back to Home— At a Glance —
Six things that define our bench practice
Each one comes from a deliberate choice about how watch servicing should feel for the person who owns the piece.
Nothing hidden
Assessment findings shared in writing before any work begins.
One piece, full attention
Small workshop, no volume pressure. Your watch gets unhurried care.
Vintage expertise on site
Two decades handling mechanical movements, including obscure references.
Written bench record
Every service ends with a document you keep — not just a receipt.
Plain language throughout
We explain what we find in terms you do not need a watchmaking degree to follow.
Transparent pricing
Quoted before we start. No changes without a conversation first.
— In More Detail —
Each benefit, unpacked
Professional Expertise
Watchmakers who read the piece first
Our head watchmaker has spent twenty years at the bench, with the last decade focused on mechanical movements from the post-war era through to the quartz revolution. That period covers an enormous range of calibres, many of which are poorly documented and require hands-on familiarity rather than a reference book.
- Experience across quartz, manual-wind, and automatic movements
- Parts sourcing network built over many years
- Calibre identification including unmarked movements
Why it matters
Many watches arrive at workshops where no one can identify the movement, let alone service it properly. At Tickhaven, we either know the piece or we research it before we open it. If we reach the limits of what we can responsibly do, we say so.
Why it matters
A rushed service can miss things. Worse, it can introduce problems — a gasket not seated properly, a screw not torqued correctly, a click spring replaced without checking the tension. Slow, deliberate work produces better outcomes for the watch.
Process & Method
A procedure, not a routine
Each service type follows a structured procedure, but the procedure adapts to what the piece actually needs. We do not apply a standard checklist and call it done. We observe, test, and make decisions based on the specific condition of the watch in front of us.
- Assessment before any disassembly
- Documented findings at each stage
- Owner consultation before scope changes
Customer Service
Kept informed, start to finish
We consider the conversation with the owner to be part of the service. When you drop a watch with us, you will hear from us at the assessment stage, at any point where findings change the scope, and when the work is complete. You are not left wondering.
- Assessment summary shared before work proceeds
- Updates if timeline or scope changes
- Questions answered at collection
Why it matters
Watch owners often have questions they are not sure are worth asking. About the movement they have always been curious about, about what to do long-term, about whether a certain piece is worth restoring. We are happy to talk. That is part of what you are paying for.
Why it matters
A low headline price that grows during the job is not good value. A fixed price that reflects the actual work, clearly explained before it starts, lets you make an informed decision. That is our approach.
Value & Pricing
Prices that match the work
Our service prices are published. They reflect the time, materials, and skill each type of work involves. We do not quote low and then find reasons to add charges later. If a service reveals something that adds cost, we discuss it before proceeding — the choice remains yours.
- Published prices for all service types
- No additions without prior agreement
- Itemised bench record with every service
Results & Outcomes
Watches that leave in better condition
The measure of our work is simple: does the watch perform better after leaving us than when it arrived? For a quartz piece, that means keeping time accurately with a fresh battery and proper seals. For a vintage mechanical, it means a movement that runs within acceptable tolerance and a case that looks cared-for without being over-restored.
- Performance testing before collection
- Notes on ongoing care where relevant
- Honest assessment of long-term outlook
Why it matters
We are not trying to create repeat customers through poor work. A watch we service well should not need to come back quickly. If it does need future attention — because it is old, or complex, or well-used — we will tell you that honestly at the time of service.
— How We Compare —
Tickhaven vs typical repair options
A straightforward look at how our approach differs from the alternatives you might consider.
Typical repair options
- Work starts without explaining what was found
- No written record of what was done
- Battery changed without checking seals
- Vintage pieces refused or serviced without appropriate knowledge
- Prices added during the job without prior discussion
- Cases polished without asking the owner's preference
- No contact during the service period
The Tickhaven approach
- Assessment findings shared before any work proceeds
- Written bench record provided with every service
- Seals inspected and replaced whenever a case is opened
- Vintage and mechanical expertise on site, not outsourced
- Published prices, no additions without your agreement
- Finishing discussed with owner before case work begins
- Updates at assessment, mid-service changes, and completion
— What Sets Us Apart —
Distinctions worth knowing
Bench notes as standard
Most repair services hand you the watch and a receipt. We include a written summary of the service — what we did, what we noticed, and what to watch for. You leave with something useful in your hand.
Genuine vintage mechanical capability
Not every workshop will touch a 1960s movement. We will — and we will service it properly, with calibre-appropriate lubricants and correct tolerances, not a generic overhaul approach.
Consent before every action
We do not start work and then tell you what it cost. We do not polish a case and then explain it was part of the process. Every action of consequence is agreed with you first.
Workshop on site, not a relay
Your watch stays at our workshop on Nimmanhaemin Road. We do not send pieces to a third party for the technical work. The people you speak to are the people who work on your watch.
— Track Record —
Milestones at the bench
11
Years in operation
2,400+
Pieces serviced
340+
Vintage overhauls
3
Trained watchmakers
NAWCC affiliate member
National Association of Watch & Clock Collectors — professional affiliation since 2017
Chiang Mai Craft Commendation
Recognised by the Chiang Mai Chamber of Commerce for traditional craft service excellence, June 2025
4.9 average rating
Across independent review platforms, based on 180+ reviews collected since 2019
— Take the Next Step —
Bring your watch to a bench that takes it seriously
Contact us to arrange a drop-off or ask a question about your piece. We respond to every enquiry and are happy to advise before you commit to a service.
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