Why Escapement
What careful servicing
looks like in practice
Not every watch workshop operates the same way. Here is how we approach the work — and what that means for your piece.
Back to HomeAt a Glance
Six reasons owners choose Escapement
Written bench records
Every completed job comes with a document noting what was found, what was done, and timing results where applicable. You leave knowing exactly what happened.
Scope agreed before work starts
Assessment comes first, at no cost. Work only begins once you have approved the scope and the price. No surprises at collection.
Timing machine verification
Mechanical and automatic movements are measured on a timing machine before and after service. The results are shared with you, not filed away.
Realistic time estimates
We tell you how long the work will take based on what the job actually involves. If that changes, we let you know before the deadline passes, not after.
Era-appropriate handling
Older pieces are not polished to a high shine unless that is what you ask for. We work with the character of a watch, not against it.
A workshop you can walk into
88/3 Nimmanhaemin Road, Chiang Mai. Open Monday through Saturday. Follow up in person if you prefer — we find that easier anyway.
Training that informs the work
The watchmaker at Escapement trained under experienced craftspeople in Chiang Mai before spending time in workshops where Swiss-standard practices were the norm. That background shapes how movements are assessed, how lubricants are applied, and how timing is adjusted.
- Hands-on experience across quartz, automatic, and hand-wind calibres
- Familiarity with Swiss and Japanese movement architecture
- Deliberate approach to vintage and inherited pieces
9+
Years of bench experience
Multi-axis
Timing machine measurement
Equipment that earns its place on the bench
We use a timing machine to measure rate and beat error across dial-up, crown-up, and crown-down positions. That data tells us where the movement sits before service and whether the adjustment after service is actually an improvement.
- Bench water-resistance tester for quartz and sealed cases
- Movement holder and optics suited to fine hand-work
- Lubricants sourced to match movement type and age
Plain language at every stage
Technical workshop language does not help you make an informed decision about your watch. We describe what we find in plain terms, explain what the options are, and wait for your answer before doing anything.
- Assessment summary in everyday language
- No work carried out without owner sign-off
- Walk-in follow-ups welcome during workshop hours
Zero
Work done without your approval
Fixed rates
No hidden additions
The price you see is the price you pay
Each service has a published rate in Thai Baht. If an assessment reveals something that might affect the total — unusual parts, additional wear — we tell you before proceeding. The rate does not change without a conversation first.
- Battery & Seal Refresh: ฿3,600
- Automatic Regulation & Cleaning: ฿11,500
- Heritage Piece Rebuild: ฿33,500
The watch you collect should work better than the one you brought in
That is the point of the work. Timing machine records give both parties a concrete reference. A battery refresh should produce a piece running within specification. A regulation service should show measurable improvement in rate consistency.
- Before/after timing data included with automatic services
- Water-resistance figures noted on quartz jobs
- Heritage rebuilds documented with a full record of work
Documented
Results for every service
How We Compare
Typical repair options vs Escapement
| Feature | Typical Repair Shop | Escapement |
|---|---|---|
| Written bench record | ||
| Timing machine measurement shared with owner | ||
| Scope approved before any work begins | Sometimes | |
| Published fixed service rates | ||
| Heritage pieces handled with era-appropriate methods | Rarely | |
| Free initial assessment | Varies | |
| Fixed workshop address you can visit | Sometimes |
What Sets Us Apart
Distinctive features of the Escapement workshop
Heritage piece documentation
For older watches, we produce a written rebuild record that can accompany the piece as long as it is owned. Future watchmakers will know what was done and when.
We decline work we cannot do well
Some proprietary calibres fall outside our range. We say so at assessment rather than accept work and return a piece worse than it arrived.
Full re-lubrication, not a top-up
We remove old oil entirely before applying fresh lubricant. Topping up degraded oil is a shortcut; we do not take it.
Walk-in assessments at no cost
Come in without an appointment during workshop hours. If a more detailed inspection is needed, we will let you know before any charge applies.
Milestones
The work in numbers
9+
Years on the bench
600+
Pieces serviced
3
Service tiers, clearly priced
100%
Jobs with written records
Chiang Mai Business Register
Registered horological repair workshop under Thai commercial law, Chiang Mai province.
Swiss movement training
Workshop founder completed technical training on ETA and Sellita movement families under Swiss-trained supervision.
Featured — Nimman Arts District directory
Listed in the 2024 Nimmanhaemin craft and specialist services directory for Chiang Mai residents.
Start Here
Bring your watch in for a look
The assessment takes about fifteen minutes and costs nothing. From there, you decide what happens next.
Contact the Workshop