A Workshop Built on Patience
Kithwellp began with a single bench, a modest set of instruments, and the conviction that a watch owner deserves a clear account of what is being done to their timepiece.
Back to HomeThe Workshop on Charoen Krung
Kithwellp opened its doors on Charoen Krung Road in Bangkok's Bang Rak district more than fifteen years ago. The name is a contraction of two words that matter here: chrono — time — and vire, to turn. Every piece that arrives at the bench has a story, and the work of turning it back into reliable motion is one we approach without shortcuts.
The workshop handles three categories of work: mechanical movement overhauls, cosmetic restoration of dials and crystals, and extended multi-stage restorations for heritage or complicated pieces. Each is priced clearly and discussed openly before any work begins. You will not find an invoice with items that were not agreed at the outset.
Charoen Krung Road has long been associated with fine craft in Bangkok — goldsmith shops, tailors, and antique dealers have traded along this stretch for generations. We chose the address deliberately. The neighbourhood's unhurried rhythm suits the pace of careful watchmaking.
What We Are Here to Do
Transparency at Every Stage
Owners are kept informed before, during, and after service. Written summaries accompany every completed piece.
No Rushed Decisions
Scope is agreed before work starts. If something unexpected arises mid-service, the piece is paused and you are contacted before anything proceeds.
Respect for the Object
We do not treat restoration as a chance to make old things look new. Patina and character are preserved where the owner wants them preserved.
Behind the Bench
Khun Wichai
Head Watchmaker
Trained at a Geneva-affiliated school and returned to Bangkok in 2009. Specialises in vintage Swiss movements and complicated calibers. Has worked on pieces ranging from simple pocket watches to early column-wheel chronographs.
Nattaya S.
Dial & Cosmetics Specialist
Ten years working with antique and mid-century dials. Brings a conservator's sensibility to surface work — knowing when less is more and when a dial needs genuine stabilisation rather than cosmetic improvement.
Pongchai T.
Parts Sourcing & Client Liaison
Manages relationships with suppliers in Switzerland, Japan, and across Southeast Asia, and handles initial consultations. Ensures parts arrive correctly documented and that clients are kept informed throughout each project.
How We Work
Parts Inspection Under Magnification
Every component is examined individually before and after cleaning. Worn or damaged parts are noted and discussed before replacement is carried out.
Timegrapher Regulation
All serviced movements are regulated on a timegrapher in multiple positions. Rate and amplitude readings are recorded and included in the service summary.
Period-Correct Lubrication
We use watchmaker-grade lubricants matched to movement type and age. Vintage movements receive oils appropriate to their caliber, not modern substitutes.
Secure Handling & Storage
Pieces in our care are stored in a locked, humidity-controlled cabinet when not on the bench. We carry workshop insurance for items in our possession.
Written Service Records
A plain-language service record accompanies every completed piece. This includes date, work performed, parts replaced, and timegrapher readings — useful for insurance or future reference.
Agreed Scope, No Surprises
Nothing proceeds beyond the agreed scope without explicit approval. If we find additional work is needed, we pause and consult you before touching anything further.
Mechanical Timepiece Care in Bangkok
Bangkok's watch-owning community spans a wide range of interests — daily wearers in need of routine attention, collectors with vintage Swiss pieces accumulated over decades, and families holding onto heirlooms from relatives who carried them through a different era. Kithwellp was shaped by that variety.
Our approach draws on Swiss-trained technique and a genuine interest in the objects we service. Mechanical movements reward patience: a rushed overhaul may get a watch ticking, but it will not get it keeping accurate time or running at the amplitude its designer intended. We work slowly enough to do it properly.
For Bangkok residents seeking watch service, proximity to the workshop on Charoen Krung Road means consultations can be face-to-face — we find that a ten-minute conversation about a piece often saves misunderstanding on both sides. For those travelling from further afield, we are reachable by telephone or through the contact form and happy to discuss a project before any commitment is made.
Talk to the Workshop
Questions about a specific piece, the scope of work, or how the process unfolds — we are glad to hear from you. No pressure to proceed until you are comfortable with what has been discussed.
Get in Touch