Our Workshop
Keeping Time, Carefully
Kala Siam was founded on a simple idea: that watches brought in for repair deserve the same attention a collector would give them at home.
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How Kala Siam Began
Kala Siam opened on Charoen Krung Road in Bang Rak after Khun Aran — the workshop's founder and head technician — spent several years working in established repair centres across Bangkok and later a small independent atelier in Chiang Mai. He kept returning to the same observation: that people brought watches in with a degree of trust that wasn't always honoured by rushed turnarounds and minimal explanation.
The name Kala Siam draws from the Sanskrit word for time — kāla — and situates the workshop in its place. Time is the only thing a watch actually does, and the name felt honest about that.
The workshop opened in 2018 with a deliberate focus on three areas: battery and seal care for everyday quartz wearers, timing regulation for mechanical watches that have drifted, and full overhauls for older pieces that need considered attention. Staying focused on what the workshop does well has always felt more respectful to customers than offering everything.
Bang Rak suited the location because of its mix of long-term residents, antique dealers, and a steady stream of travellers who notice the neighbourhood's unhurried pace. A watch repair workshop fit naturally into that texture.
Mission
To look after timepieces with the same care their owners already have — honestly, without rushing, and with clear communication about what was found and what was done.
What We Value
- Honesty about condition — good news and difficult news both told plainly.
- Restraint with vintage pieces — work done to what's needed, not beyond.
- Owner involvement — decisions about optional work are yours to make.
- Consistency — the same technician handles a piece from intake to handover.
By the Numbers
7+
Years in Bangkok
1,200+
Pieces Serviced
3
Core Services
The People
Who Works Here
Aran Kittisak
Founder & Head Watchmaker
Aran trained in mechanical watch servicing over twelve years across Bangkok and Chiang Mai. He leads all overhaul work and carries out most regulation services personally.
Malee Phanrat
Quartz & Seal Technician
Malee handles battery and seal services and has developed a methodical approach to intake assessment that makes sure nothing gets missed before a watch is booked in.
Chai Thanawat
Workshop & Customer Liaison
Chai manages scheduling, correspondence, and the intake logbook. He is usually the first person customers speak with and takes care to explain the service process clearly.
How We Work
Our Standards in Practice
Condition Documentation at Intake
Every piece is photographed and its pre-service condition recorded in writing before any work begins. This protects both the customer and the workshop.
Calibrated Timing Equipment
Regulation work uses a timegrapher that measures beat rate, amplitude, and beat error across multiple positions. Results are compared before and after adjustment.
Correct Lubricants for Each Calibre
Different movement types and components require different lubricant viscosities. We stock a proper range and apply them precisely rather than using a single product across all work.
Secure Storage of Pieces in Service
Watches awaiting or undergoing service are kept in a locked, climate-managed cabinet. They are never left unattended on an open bench.
Pre-Work Consultation for Overhauls
Before beginning any full overhaul, we discuss findings with the owner — what is worn, what can be sourced, and what optional work might improve long-term function.
Data Handling with Discretion
Customer contact details and piece records are kept solely for service administration. We do not share personal information with third parties or use it for marketing without consent.
Craft & Context
Watch Repair in Bangkok — A Few Notes
Bangkok's climate is warm and humid through most of the year, which places particular demands on watch movements. Lubricants can thin faster than in cooler environments, and condensation around gaskets can lead to moisture ingress in cases that were never designed for tropical wear. Kala Siam's servicing intervals take this into account — we're familiar with how the climate interacts with different calibres and will note it in condition reports where relevant.
Charoen Krung Road has historically been home to traders, craftspeople, and specialists of many kinds. The street has changed considerably over the decades, but the workshop sits in a section that still has that character — a corridor of small businesses that know their subject. Being here feels appropriate for what we do.
Watch collecting in Thailand has a dedicated and knowledgeable community. Many of our customers are collectors who have learned over time that a good relationship with a small, trustworthy workshop is worth maintaining. We value those relationships and aim to be the kind of place people recommend to others not because of marketing but because of how a job was handled.
For visitors to Bangkok — particularly those staying in Silom, Sathorn, or along the riverside — our location on Charoen Krung Road is straightforward to reach. We're near the Saphan Taksin BTS station and close to several river pier stops. If a watch needs attention while you're travelling through the city, we're within reach and happy to discuss what can be done within your timeline.
Work With Us
Bring Your Watch In
Whether you need a simple battery swap or you've had a piece sitting unworn for years, we're happy to take a look and give you an honest assessment.
Get in Touch