About the studio
Where each watch
is given its due.
Verge Atelier is a small repair and restoration studio in Chiang Mai's old city quarter, founded on the idea that a watch deserves patient, thoughtful attention — whoever made it and however old it is.
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A studio built around the bench
Verge Atelier opened in Chiang Mai with a straightforward purpose: to offer honest, careful watch work in a city that had grown fond of the craft. The name comes from the verge escapement — one of the oldest and most telling parts in a mechanical watch — a small reminder of the precision and patience that every service requires.
The studio sits on Thanon Ratchadamnoen, a quiet street that has kept its character through decades of change. It is a deliberate choice. The neighbourhood suits the pace of the work: unhurried, considered, with room to concentrate.
From the start, the focus has been on three services that cover the range of what most owners actually need — a quartz service for everyday pieces, cosmetic care for cases and bracelets, and end-to-end restoration for vintage and family watches that carry more than just the time.
What guides us
Values we keep to
Honesty first
We say what we find, in plain language. If something is beyond the scope of a service, or if the watch is better left alone, we will say so.
The owner stays informed
Nothing is started without the owner's agreement. Nothing extra is done without a conversation first. The watch remains the owner's throughout.
Restraint as skill
Knowing when not to intervene is as important as knowing how to. We treat the character of older pieces with care, and we do not over-polish or over-restore.
Records kept
Every service produces written notes. Restoration projects include photographs at each stage. The owner leaves with a clear account of what was done.
The people
Behind the bench
Krit Phommarath
Studio Lead & Watchmaker
Krit has worked with mechanical movements for over fourteen years. He leads the legacy restoration work and carries out the initial review for every piece that comes into the studio.
Nattaya Thongkham
Case & Bracelet Specialist
Nattaya focuses on the cosmetic side — polishing, crystal fitting and bracelet adjustment. She has a particular interest in dress watches and takes care not to remove the patina that makes older pieces worth keeping.
Supachai Charoen
Quartz Service Technician
Supachai handles quartz servicing and the studio's written condition records. He is often the first person to speak with new clients about their watches and what they are hoping to achieve.
How we work
Standards we hold ourselves to
These are not policies pinned to a wall — they are the habits that shape every piece of work that leaves the studio.
Pre-work agreement
A clear scope and price are agreed in writing before any work begins. No surprises, no additions without a prior conversation.
Appropriate tools only
Each movement type is handled with tools suited to it. Watch work done with improvised equipment leaves marks — we do not cut that corner.
Photographic documentation
Restoration projects are photographed at each stage. The owner receives the complete set alongside the finished watch.
Secure handling and storage
Watches in the studio are stored individually and logged. Nothing is left unsecured, and access to the workshop is limited to the team.
Personal data handled with care
Contact details provided by owners are used only for the current job. They are not shared with outside parties or kept beyond what is necessary.
Return condition checked
Before a watch is handed back, a final check is made against the agreed scope. We go through the notes with the owner at collection.
Craft and context
Watch servicing in Chiang Mai — a considered practice
Chiang Mai has long attracted people who appreciate things made well and maintained with care. The city's strong tradition of craftsmanship — in woodwork, textiles, silversmithing — creates a natural home for a studio that takes the same view of watches. Verge Atelier sits comfortably within that culture.
A watch service is not complicated in concept: clean what needs cleaning, replace what has worn out, check that the timing is sound. But the execution asks for patience, good light and a willingness to stop when something is unclear rather than press on and hope. That is the disposition this studio was built around.
Owners who bring in older mechanical pieces are often uncertain what can be done and what the watch is worth. We do not trade in watches and have no interest in acquiring them. Our only concern is the work in front of us — and the clearer we can be about what is possible, the better the decision the owner can make.
For people passing through Chiang Mai, we are easy to reach and happy to discuss a watch at short notice, though appointment booking is advisable for restoration work. For residents, we aim to be a quiet, reliable option for the long term.
Come and talk to us
Your watch is welcome here
Drop us a message or phone the studio. We will listen to what you have in mind and be straightforward about what we can offer.
Send an Enquiry