About the workshop
Work that follows the piece, not the clock.
hairspringf has operated on Thanon Khao San since 2014. We repair mechanical watches — movements, cases, and straps — with patience and without theatre.
Back to HomeOur story
Started small. Stayed small.
hairspringf opened in 2014 out of a quiet conviction that Bangkok had room for a workshop focused on the repair side of horology rather than the retail side. The founder, Nattawut Panyaporn, trained under two independent watchmakers — one in Chiang Mai, one in Switzerland during an extended working stay — before returning to Bangkok to set up the bench on Khao San Road.
The name comes from the hairspringf, the fine spiral wire at the heart of a mechanical balance assembly. It is one of the most delicate components in a watch, and one whose condition determines whether everything else functions as intended. We chose it because it reflects the kind of work we do: careful, quiet, and mostly invisible when done well.
Over the years the workshop has grown slowly and intentionally. We have resisted taking on volume beyond what the bench can handle with care. Most of our clients come through word of mouth — a friend whose Seiko was serviced here, a colleague who needed a bracelet resized. That pace suits us. It means each watch receives the attention it warrants.
Today hairspringf handles strap and bracelet work, chronograph servicing, and complete movement overhauls with case refinishing. We do not sell watches. We repair them.
What guides the work
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No work begins without a written quote
We assess every watch before committing to a scope or price. The owner receives a written summary before we touch the movement.
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One watchmaker per watch
The same person who accepts a piece sees it through from disassembly to final regulation. There are no handoffs partway through a job.
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Honest timelines
We quote the turnaround time we expect to keep. If something changes — a part delayed, an unexpected complication — we contact the owner promptly.
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Parts decisions made with the owner
We do not fit non-original parts without discussing the options first. If a part is unavailable or costly, we explain what the alternatives mean in practice.
11
Years open
800+
Watches serviced
3
Services offered
The people
A small team by design.
Nattawut Panyaporn
Head Watchmaker
Trained in Chiang Mai and Switzerland. Handles all movement work including chronograph calibres and complete overhauls. Has been at the bench since the workshop opened in 2014.
Siriporn Klomjai
Case & Strap Specialist
Focuses on case refinishing, bracelet work, and crystal replacement. Brings a careful eye for the original surface geometry of cases and the patience to restore it by hand.
Arisa Thongpan
Workshop Coordinator
Manages intake, written quotes, client communication, and returns. Keeps the workflow organised so the watchmakers can stay at the bench without interruption.
How we work
Standards we hold ourselves to.
Written Assessment First
Every watch is examined under magnification before we quote. The written assessment notes what we found, what the work involves, and the cost — given to the owner to keep.
Timegrapher Measurement
All completed movement work is measured on the timegrapher in multiple positions. The rate, amplitude, and beat error figures are recorded and included with the service documentation returned to the owner.
Water Resistance Testing
Cases sent for overhaul are pressure tested after reassembly using dry air. We test to the rated depth of the watch; any failure is addressed before the piece is returned.
Parts Accountability
Replaced components are logged by part number where available. Original parts removed from the watch are returned to the owner in a labelled envelope unless they request disposal.
Secure Storage
Watches not actively on the bench are kept in a locked storage unit within the workshop. Access is restricted to workshop staff. We do not hold client watches beyond the agreed collection date without prior arrangement.
Six-Month Labour Cover
Our labour carries a six-month cover period from the date of return. If an issue directly traceable to our work arises within that window, we address it at no additional charge to the owner.
The craft
Mechanical watches and the work they require.
A mechanical watch is a closed system of roughly 150 to 400 components depending on the calibre. Gear trains transmit power from the mainspring; the escapement releases that power in measured steps; the balance wheel and hairspringf govern the rate at which those steps occur. Each part depends on the others. A worn mainspring that fails to deliver consistent torque affects the balance amplitude. A bent escapement lever causes erratic rate performance. The interdependence is what makes proper servicing — rather than piecemeal part replacement — the appropriate response to a watch that is losing time or stopping unexpectedly.
A full movement overhaul involves disassembling the movement to its individual components, cleaning each part ultrasonically, inspecting pivots, jewels, and springs under magnification, replacing worn components, lubricating bearing surfaces and the escapement with the correct grade of oil, reassembling, and regulating. The final step is measurement across multiple positions on the timegrapher to confirm the movement is performing within acceptable tolerances.
Chronograph movements carry additional complexity. The clutch mechanism, column wheel or cam system, and reset hammers all require specific attention beyond the base movement service. Pushers that have grown stiff or reset functions that have become sluggish are usually traceable to dried lubrication, worn levers, or out-of-specification cam geometry — each addressable through careful disassembly and adjustment.
Case and bracelet work is often overlooked but contributes substantially to how a watch presents and wears. Refinishing done carelessly — with a polishing wheel that rounds case shoulders or removes brushed surfaces — permanently alters the character of a piece. Our approach uses hand tools to follow the original surface geometry rather than power tools that work by material removal without fine control.
hairspringf works on mechanical and automatic movements across a broad range of brands and calibres. We do not handle quartz movements beyond battery replacement, and we refer work on certain highly proprietary integrated calibres to appropriate brand service facilities where that is the better option for the owner.
Ready to proceed
Bring your watch to the bench.
The workshop is open Monday through Saturday. Walk-ins are welcome for assessments. For movement work, contact us first so we can discuss your piece before the drop-off.
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