Who We Are
The Story of Manee Horology
Manee Horology was founded in 2008 by Kriangkrai Manee, a watchmaker who trained under a Swiss-certified horologist in Bangkok before returning to his home city of Chiang Mai. He wanted to build a workshop that served people who cared about their watches — not a quick-turnaround shop, but a proper repair studio where each piece was treated as what it actually is: a mechanical instrument with history and meaning.
The studio sits on Nimmanhaemin Road, in a neighbourhood that has long been a gathering point for Chiang Mai's creative community. The surroundings suit the work: unhurried, curious, and attentive to quality. Over the years, the studio has worked on hundreds of watches — everyday Swiss automatics, inherited pocket watches, and mid-century Japanese calibres that still run well with careful attention.
Our approach has not changed since the beginning. We assess honestly, explain clearly, work carefully, and stand behind what we do. Most clients come to us by word of mouth, which we take as a modest sign that the approach is working.
Our Values
What Guides Our Work
Honesty Before Anything
If a repair is not worth the cost relative to the watch's value, we say so. If a piece needs more than we are equipped to handle, we say that too. Trust is worth more than a single job.
Respect for the Object
Watches often carry personal history. An inherited piece is not just a mechanism — it is an object with a story. We treat every watch in our care with that in mind.
No Unnecessary Hurry
Rushing watchwork leads to shortcuts. We give each job the time it needs, provide realistic turnaround estimates, and do not overcommit just to appear faster than we are.
Written Agreements
For heritage restorations and larger jobs, we put the scope and cost in writing before work begins. No surprises at collection — what we agreed is what you pay.
The People
Behind the Workbench
Kriangkrai Manee
Founder & Master Watchmaker
Trained in mechanical horology with over seventeen years of bench experience. Kriangkrai handles complex movements, heritage restorations, and the assessments that determine how each job proceeds.
Naphat Phromkul
Watchmaker — Servicing & Parts
Naphat joined the studio in 2016 after an apprenticeship in Bangkok. He carries out mechanical services, crystal and crown work, and manages the studio's parts inventory.
Siriporn Charoenwong
Studio Manager & Client Relations
Siriporn coordinates client communication, job scheduling, and documentation. She ensures the studio runs smoothly and that owners are kept informed at every stage of the process.
Our Standards
How We Approach the Work
Ultrasonic Cleaning
Movement components are cleaned using a professional ultrasonic bath with appropriate watchmaking fluids, removing old lubricants and contamination without damaging delicate parts.
Correct Lubrication
We use watchmaker-grade lubricants matched to each movement's specifications — the right oil or grease in the right place. Incorrect lubrication is one of the most common causes of early failure after servicing.
Timing Machine Regulation
Every serviced movement is tested on an electronic timing machine in multiple positions to confirm it runs within an acceptable daily rate before it is returned.
Water Resistance Testing
Where the case allows, resealed watches are tested for water resistance with a dry pressure test to verify that the new gaskets are seated properly before the watch leaves the studio.
Documentation
Each job is recorded: the condition at intake, work carried out, parts replaced, and test results. Clients receive a written summary with their completed watch, and records are kept on file.
Service Warranty
Completed mechanical services are covered by a written warranty. This reflects our confidence in the quality of the work and gives clients assurance that they are not left alone if a problem arises.
Our Craft
Mechanical Watch Care in Northern Thailand
Chiang Mai has a long tradition of skilled artisanal work — silversmithing, lacquerware, ceramics, and textile craft that require patience, training, and an eye for detail. Watchmaking sits comfortably in that tradition. A mechanical watch is a small, self-contained machine with dozens of components working in coordination, each one critical to the whole. Caring for these machines requires specific knowledge and the willingness to proceed slowly.
At Manee Horology, our focus is entirely on mechanical and hand-wound movements. We do not work on quartz or battery-powered watches, and we do not offer express turnaround services. What we offer instead is thorough, considered work — the kind that keeps a watch running well for years after it leaves the bench.
Clients come to us from Chiang Mai, from elsewhere in Thailand, and occasionally from abroad, often sending watches by insured post after an initial exchange by email. Whether a piece needs a routine service, a worn crystal, or careful restoration work, the process is the same: we look at it properly, discuss what we find, agree on a plan, and carry out the work with the attention the piece deserves.
We believe good watchmaking is a form of craft that has been undervalued in an era of disposable goods. A well-made mechanical watch, properly maintained, can last several generations. That possibility is worth taking seriously.
Talk to Us
We're Happy to Discuss Your Watch
Whether you have a simple question or a piece that needs careful attention, reach out — there's no obligation to proceed.
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