Tickhaven · Chiang Mai
A workshop built around taking time
We believe a watch repair shop should feel like a conversation, not a transaction. That idea shapes everything we do.
← Back to Home— The Workshop —
How Tickhaven came to be
Tickhaven opened on Nimmanhaemin Road in 2014, when two watchmakers who had spent years in larger service centres decided they wanted to slow down. Not in the sense of working less — but in the sense of working more deliberately, on fewer pieces, with more attention given to each one.
The name came from a conversation about what a repair shop should feel like. A haven. A place where a watch arrives carrying its owner's history and leaves having been looked after with care. The tick part was obvious.
The workshop operates with a small team and a straightforward rule: nothing happens to a watch without the owner knowing why. Before any work begins, we share what we have found. We describe our thinking in plain terms and ask whether the owner wants to proceed. If something changes during the work — a part that needs attention we did not initially expect — we pause and make contact.
This is not the fastest model. It is, we think, the right one.
Over the years, Tickhaven has developed a particular reputation for vintage mechanical work. Owners of older pieces — Seiko, Citizen, Longines, Omega, pieces without names but with histories — find us through word of mouth. We do not advertise aggressively. We do not need to, because the work speaks for itself.
We also carry out everyday quartz service and strap care for people who simply want their daily watch to work properly and feel comfortable. These are not lesser jobs to us. A battery change done well, with proper attention to the seal and a written summary of what was checked, is as meaningful as a full overhaul.
Chiang Mai has suited us well. The city has a particular rhythm — unhurried, curious, respectful of craft. Our customers reflect that. They bring watches they genuinely care about, and they ask good questions. We try to be worthy of both.
— The People —
Who you will meet at the bench
Preecha Sombat
Head Watchmaker
Twenty years at the bench, with a particular interest in mid-century mechanical movements. Preecha reads the history of a watch before touching it.
Nattaya Kamol
Quartz & Case Specialist
Trained in Switzerland before returning to northern Thailand. Nattaya handles quartz service, water-resistance work, and strap fitting with quiet precision.
Arun Thongpan
Workshop Manager
The person you will speak to first. Arun coordinates enquiries, keeps records for each piece, and ensures owners are kept informed throughout the service process.
— Workshop Standards —
How we hold ourselves to account
Initial assessment first
Every piece is assessed before any service quote is given. We describe the condition in writing, so the owner understands what they are agreeing to.
Documented work log
Each service generates a bench log: parts checked, actions taken, observations noted. You receive this with your watch.
Water-resistance protocol
Any watch opened at our bench has its seals inspected. We note water-resistance status clearly and replace gaskets when the rating is compromised.
Secure handling of pieces
Watches in our care are stored individually in a secure workshop cabinet. We maintain a numbered register and do not leave pieces unattended outside the workshop.
Ongoing watchmaker development
Our team attends industry workshops and keeps current with movement documentation, parts sourcing, and finishing standards for the pieces we work on.
No hidden scope changes
If a service reveals work beyond the original agreement, we stop and contact the owner before proceeding. Additional work without consent does not happen here.
— Workshop Philosophy —
What we think about watch servicing
Watch repair in Chiang Mai exists on a spectrum. At one end are quick-turnaround kiosks where a battery takes ten minutes and nobody asks what the watch has been through. At the other end are marque service centres in Bangkok handling only the brand they represent, with prices that reflect the badge as much as the work.
Tickhaven sits somewhere different. We are a small, independent bench that takes any watch seriously — regardless of its name or price point. A Seiko 5 from 1978 and a modern Swiss dress watch receive the same standard of care here, because what matters is the relationship between the owner and the piece, not the original retail price.
Our watchmakers approach each service as a diagnostic exercise first. What is the watch telling us? Where has age or use left a mark? What does the owner actually need versus what could theoretically be done? These are the questions we ask before we pick up a tool.
For vintage pieces, we hold a particular view on finishing. A watch that was never polished, or was polished decades ago and has since developed an honest patina, should not be returned looking like it came from a factory. We will discuss finishing with the owner before any case work happens, and we will follow their direction. It is their watch.
We believe transparency in this trade is not a marketing position — it is simply the honest way to operate. When something is more complex than expected, we say so. When a part is unavailable and we must use a reasonable alternative, we explain what it is. When a piece is beyond what we can responsibly restore, we say that too.
— Next Step —
Ready to bring a watch in?
Walk-ins are welcome during opening hours. If you would like to discuss a piece before visiting, a message or call is always a good place to start.
Contact the Workshop