Why Rattana Time
Careful work over quick fixes.
There are faster options for a battery change in Chiang Mai. What sets Rattana Time apart is what happens around the battery change — the checks, the conversation, and the follow-up advice.
← Back to HomeAt a Glance
Six reasons people return to us
Honest assessment first
No work begins without first understanding what the watch needs.
Pressure check on every opening
Gasket and seal integrity verified after every case service.
Timing report for overhauls
Written documentation of movement regulation results — not just a verbal estimate.
No surprise charges
If anything unexpected is found mid-service, we pause and consult before continuing.
Finish-preserving approach
We advise against polishing when it would harm the original character of the case.
Realistic turnaround times
Same-day batteries, one to two days for polishing, two to three weeks for full overhauls.
Professional expertise
Rattana Time's founder trained in Bangkok under experienced watchmakers before opening the Chiang Mai shop in 2011. The skills developed over those years — disassembly, cleaning, lubrication, regulation — are applied to every mechanical service. For quartz work, battery replacement is paired with a fresh gasket and pressure check as a matter of standard practice, not an upgrade.
- Over 15 years of hands-on watchmaking experience
- Quartz and automatic movements both within scope
- Clear communication when a movement is outside what we handle well
Tools and working methods
The workshop uses a timegrapher for movement regulation, an ultrasonic cleaner for movement parts, and a pressure tester for case integrity after battery work. These are not unusual tools in a professional setting, but they make a measurable difference to the quality of work that comes out the other side.
- Timegrapher used on every mechanical overhaul
- Ultrasonic cleaning of movement components
- Pressure tester after every case closure
Customer service approach
The shop is small enough that the person who takes in your watch is usually the person who works on it. Questions are answered directly rather than passed along. For longer jobs, progress updates are sent by message or email, and any unexpected findings are raised before work continues.
- Direct contact with the watchmaker — no intermediaries
- Progress updates for multi-week overhauls
- Shipping coordination for visitors who have left Chiang Mai
Transparent pricing
Service prices are shared upfront: ฿1,430 for a battery and seal refresh, ฿2,560 for light polishing and case tidy, ฿4,140 for a mechanical overhaul. If additional parts or work are found to be necessary, the conversation happens before the cost is incurred.
- All prices stated clearly before any work begins
- No additional charges without prior agreement
- Parts cost itemised separately if needed
Documented outcomes
A mechanical overhaul is completed with a printed timing report showing the movement's rate. This gives you something concrete — a record of the work done and the result achieved — rather than a general assurance that the watch is now "running better".
- Timing report issued after every mechanical overhaul
- Next recommended service noted for battery jobs
- Written intake record kept for each watch
How We Compare
Rattana Time vs. the typical alternative
| Feature | Typical Quick-Service Shop | Rattana Time |
|---|---|---|
| Gasket replaced with battery | Often skipped | Standard practice |
| Pressure test after case closure | Rarely included | Every service |
| Upfront price before work starts | Variable | Always |
| Timing report for mechanical work | Not typically offered | Included with overhaul |
| Honest advice on polishing limits | Varies | Part of the assessment |
| Progress updates for multi-week jobs | Usually not provided | Standard for overhauls |
What Makes Us Different
Things you won't find everywhere
The watchmaker is the person you speak to
There is no counter staff who relays messages to a back room. At Rattana Time, the person assessing your watch is usually the same person you discuss it with — direct and without translation layers.
We say no to some work
If a movement is outside our scope — a very unusual calibre, or work that would require specialist parts we can't source reliably — we tell you, and suggest where to look. Taking it on anyway would not serve the watch.
Visitors welcome — with realistic planning
Many people discover us while visiting Chiang Mai. Battery work fits into a day trip. For overhauls, we can coordinate collection or shipping once the work is done — no need to rush back.
Original character preserved where possible
A watch that has been worn for twenty years carries the marks of that. We respect that, and discuss whether polishing adds or removes something meaningful before we proceed.
Track Record
Milestones from fourteen years of work
14+
Years in Chiang Mai
2,400+
Watches Serviced
97%
Customers Return
3
Services Offered, Each Done Well
Thailand Horological Association
Member since 2014
ETA Calibre Service Training
Completed 2016, Bangkok
Chiang Mai Business Excellence
Recognised, May 2025
Next Step
See what a careful assessment looks like.
Bring your watch in or describe what's happening — we'll share what we find and what makes sense to do about it.
Get in Touch