Watchmaker tools and workbench

Why Owners Choose Phet Bua

A workshop that puts the watch and the owner first — before timelines, before upselling, before anything else.

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What We Bring to the Work

Six things we consider important, and try to demonstrate with every piece we take in.

Genuine Mechanical Knowledge

Our work is built on an understanding of how movements actually behave — how wear presents in specific calibres, which lubricants suit which components, and where to look when a rate problem is not immediately obvious.

Nothing Starts Without Agreement

An assessment is prepared for every piece before work begins. The owner sees the findings and the cost, and decides whether to proceed. There is no automatic assumption that work will go ahead.

Measured Approach to Restoration

We discuss how much restoration is appropriate before touching a case. Honest wear can add to a watch's character, and we will say so rather than refinish everything by default.

Measurable Timekeeping Results

Rate readings are taken before and after every service, using calibrated equipment. The improvement is recorded and shared — not described in vague terms, but shown in numbers.

Clear Communication

We explain findings in plain language. If something unexpected comes up during a service, we contact the owner before proceeding. There are no decisions made without you.

Respect for the Piece's History

Family pieces, collectibles, and watches with personal significance are handled with the same care as any valuable object. We take the history seriously, not just the mechanism.

Depth of Mechanical Expertise

Mechanical watchmaking is a trade that rewards years of careful practice. It is not something that can be picked up from a manual or learned quickly on cheaper movements. Our lead watchmaker has spent well over a decade working on mechanical calibres of many types — from robust workhorse movements to older pieces with non-standard geometry and worn pivots.

This experience means that an unusual problem is not a surprise. We have encountered most of the failure modes that older and vintage movements present, and approach each piece with a methodical inspection rather than assumptions.

Areas of specialisation:

Swiss lever and cylinder escapements
Pocket watch and early wristwatch movements
Modern automatic calibres
Hand-made replacement parts for obsolete movements
Multi-position rate regulation

What proper equipment enables:

Timing machine readings across six positions
Ultrasonic component cleaning
Watchmaker-grade lubrication applied correctly
Surface finishing tools for case restoration

The Right Tools, Used Properly

Quality tools matter in watchmaking. A well-calibrated timing machine produces results that mean something. The correct lubricants — applied in the right quantity to the right points — are what determine whether a service lasts five years or fifteen. We do not use general-purpose substitutes.

Our workshop equipment is maintained and suited to the work we take on. This is one area where cutting corners has direct consequences for the watch, and we prefer not to cut them.


A Considered Client Experience

Leaving a watch — particularly one with personal value — takes a degree of trust. We try to make that reasonable. From the initial enquiry through to collection, the process is straightforward: we look at the watch, tell you what we find, agree on a plan and a price, do the work, and return the piece with documentation of what was done.

We are available by phone and email during working hours, and we respond to enquiries within a working day. There is no need to chase for updates — we will contact you if anything changes.

At each stage of the process:

Clear intake process with receipt and logging
Written assessment shared before work starts
Contact if anything unexpected is found
Service documentation on return
Post-service questions welcome

Pricing principles:

Fixed prices for standard services
No additional charges without prior agreement
Clear breakdown for heritage restorations
Currency: Thai Baht (฿)

Straightforward Pricing

Our three services have stated prices that cover the standard scope of each job. The price you see on the solutions page is the price you pay for standard work. If something outside the standard scope is required, we will discuss it with you first.

For heritage restorations, where scope can vary considerably, we provide a written cost breakdown as part of the assessment. Nothing is charged without your knowledge and agreement beforehand.

A Different Kind of Workshop

Not all watch repair services approach the work the same way. Here is how our approach differs from what is more commonly found.

Typical Repair Services

Work begins without a written assessment
Cases refinished without discussion
Rate testing not offered as standard
Additional charges appear on collection
Generic lubricants used to save time
No documentation provided on return

Phet Bua Approach

Written assessment shared before any work
Finish agreed with owner in advance
Before and after rate measurements provided
Agreed price with no hidden additions
Correct watchmaker-grade lubricants used
Service record handed over with the watch

What Only We Offer

Hand-Made Parts for Obsolete Movements

For older pieces where parts are no longer manufactured, we can fabricate replacement components by hand. This is rare — most workshops decline such work. We take it on when the piece warrants it.

Unhurried Assessment Model

We take on a limited intake so that no piece is rushed. An assessment is conducted properly, not under pressure to clear a queue. This takes longer, but the findings are more reliable.

Full Written Work Record

Every completed job includes a written record of the parts serviced, the lubricants applied, and the rate readings before and after. This is useful for future reference and adds to the watch's provenance.

Conservation-Minded Restoration

We apply a conservation approach to older pieces — preserving original surfaces and features where possible, rather than restoring everything to a uniform new appearance. The watch's age is part of its value.

Experience and Recognition

A few milestones that reflect the work done over the years.

15+

Years in mechanical watchmaking

800+

Movements serviced

97%

Owners satisfied with outcome

60+

Heritage restorations completed

Thai Horological Association — Registered Workshop

Advanced Movement Servicing — Certified Practitioner

Bangkok Vintage Watch Society — Recommended Workshop 2024

Ready to Bring Your Watch In?

An assessment is the natural first step. Write to us or call, and we will arrange a time to look at the piece together.

Request an Assessment