A Workshop Built on Honesty
Gearloom was founded on a straightforward idea: people who bring in a watch they care about deserve to know exactly what is happening to it. That shapes everything we do.
← Back to HomeFrom One Bench to a Full Workshop
Gearloom began in 2017 when Krit Tanaphan, a watchmaker trained in Switzerland and Japan, returned to Bangkok and opened a small repair space in Chatuchak. His intention was specific: a place where watch owners could sit across from the person working on their piece, ask questions freely, and leave with a written record of what had been done.
The early years were modest. Word spread slowly through collectors and expats who valued the unhurried, methodical approach. By 2020, a second watchmaker had joined, and the workshop expanded to its current layout — two full benches, a parts cleaning station, and a timing measurement setup that produces the before-and-after data shared with every service customer.
Today Gearloom handles several hundred watches each year, ranging from well-worn daily automatics to older Swiss pieces brought in for careful restoration. The founding principle has not changed: the owner of the watch should understand what is being done to it.
Our Values in Plain Terms
Transparency
Every watch that comes in for inspection receives a written findings report. Pricing is agreed before any work begins. There are no verbal-only conversations that disappear later.
Respect for the Object
Watches often carry more than monetary value. We handle each piece as though it matters to someone — because it does. Work is done steadily and without shortcuts.
Clear Communication
We use plain language. If a movement needs a part, we explain what the part does and why it matters — not in technical jargon, but in terms that make sense.
Proportionate Work
We recommend only what a watch actually needs. A piece that only needs cleaning will not be quoted for a full overhaul. Our service tiers are designed to fit the real condition of the watch.
Who Works on Your Watch
Our small team keeps the workshop consistent. You will deal with the same people from intake to collection.
Krit Tanaphan
Lead Watchmaker & Founder
Trained in movement servicing in Osaka and the Vallée de Joux region. Handles complex calibres and restoration work. Has been working with watches for over fourteen years.
Nattawut Wiset
Watchmaker
Joined in 2020. Specialises in automatic movements and timing regulation. Takes the intake appointments and prepares the pre-service condition reports for each piece.
Patchara Meechai
Workshop Coordinator
Manages customer communications, tracks each watch through the workshop, and prepares the written service records. Handles enquiries by phone and email.
Workshop Standards
These are the practices we follow on every piece that comes through the door, regardless of the service tier.
Grade-Appropriate Lubricants
We use watchmaking-grade lubricants matched to the movement type. Using the wrong lubricant shortens component life — we do not take that shortcut.
Timing Measurement
Every serviced movement is tested on a timing machine in multiple positions before it leaves the bench. The readings form part of the service record given to the customer.
Written Service Record
A written record of all work performed is provided with every returning watch. It describes what was found, what was done, and any parts replaced.
Ultrasonic Cleaning
Movement components are cleaned using an ultrasonic bath with appropriate watchmaking solutions, removing old lubricants and debris without mechanical abrasion.
Customer Data Privacy
Contact details collected during intake are used only for communications related to your service. We do not share customer information with third parties.
Careful Parts Handling
Original parts are retained and returned with the watch wherever possible. When a part must be replaced, the original is available for the customer to take back if they wish.
Watchcare in Bangkok, Done at the Right Pace
Bangkok has a small but attentive community of watch owners — collectors, travellers, and people who have inherited a piece they want to keep running well. Gearloom sits at the practical end of the watchcare spectrum: not a luxury boutique, not a quick-fix counter, but a working workshop that takes each job at its own pace.
Our Chatuchak location makes the workshop accessible from most parts of the city. We operate by appointment and walk-in, Monday through Saturday. The workshop is visible from the reception area — customers who want to see where the work happens are welcome to look.
When a watch leaves Gearloom, its owner knows what was done to it, how it is performing, and what to look out for in the months ahead. That is the standard we hold to, whether the piece is a fifty-year-old Seiko or a contemporary Swiss automatic.
Have a Watch That Needs Attention?
Start with a message or a call. We will explain the process and answer any questions before anything else happens.
Contact the Workshop