Why Gearhaus
What makes the difference when a watch matters to you.
Choosing a watchmaker involves more than comparing prices. Here is a plain account of what Gearhaus does, how we approach the work, and why those details are worth knowing.
Back to HomeAt a Glance
Six things owners consistently tell us matter
Scope agreed in writing before work begins
No watch is opened without a clear, prior agreement on what will be done and what it will cost. You are not billed for decisions you were not part of.
Pressure results you can read and keep
Water-resistance reseals conclude with a staged dry pressure test. The result sheet is yours to keep — useful for insurance, resale, or simply knowing your diver is ready for the water.
Heirloom work that comes with its own record
The presentation folder produced for every heirloom rebuild contains photographs and written notes from each stage. The watch and its history stay together.
Fixed prices in Thai Baht, stated upfront
Each service has a stated price: ฿4,000 for a tune-up, ฿11,000 for a reseal, ฿33,000 for a full heirloom rebuild. The number you see is the number on the invoice.
Drop-off and collection in person
We work from a fixed address in central Bangkok. You can hand over a watch directly, speak with the person who will service it, and collect from the same location.
Turnaround times based on the actual work
Two days for a tune-up. One to two weeks for a reseal. Eight to twelve weeks for a full rebuild. These figures reflect what the work genuinely takes, not an optimistic estimate.
Expertise
Experience that comes from years of actual bench work
The team at Gearhaus has a combined background spanning authorised brand service centres across Southeast Asia, with particular depth in Swiss automatic and Japanese mechanical calibres. This is not experience assembled from short courses — it comes from years of volume work under qualified supervision, which is the only way to develop reliable diagnostic judgement.
- Mechanical and automatic movements, Swiss and Japanese calibres
- Timing machine diagnosis at intake and at completion
- Fifteen years of combined prior service centre experience
"Diagnostic judgement only comes with time at the bench."
Understanding why a movement is running fast, slow, or erratically requires pattern recognition built over many watches, not just knowledge of the theory. That experience is what Gearhaus brings to an inspection.
"The right tool at each stage, calibrated and maintained."
From ultrasonic cleaning equipment to calibrated timing machines and dry pressure testers, Gearhaus uses workshop-grade equipment appropriate to the work — not improvised alternatives.
Equipment
Workshop-grade equipment, properly maintained
Precision watchmaking requires equipment that is calibrated and maintained, not borrowed or improvised. The tools we use for timing, pressure testing, and cleaning are selected for the specific demands of the work, and they are looked after to the same standard we apply to the watches in our care.
- Calibrated Witschi or equivalent timing machine
- Dry pressure test equipment for water-resistance verification
- Ultrasonic cleaning unit for case and bracelet
Pricing
Three prices, stated plainly, with nothing hidden
Gearhaus prices each service at a fixed amount in Thai Baht. That figure is shown on the website and confirmed at intake. Additional work is only carried out if an unforeseen condition is found — and only after you agree to the revised scope. There are no undisclosed handling fees, no charges for returning a watch, and no minimum-service requirements.
฿4,000
Tune-Up
฿11,000
Reseal
฿33,000
Heirloom Rebuild
"A fixed price is a form of respect for the owner's planning."
Knowing the cost before agreeing to a service is not a feature — it is simply how a professional arrangement should work. We hold to the stated price unless the scope changes, and scope changes require your agreement before they happen.
Comparison
How Gearhaus differs from typical repair options
| Feature | Typical Repair Shops | Gearhaus |
|---|---|---|
| Scope confirmed before work starts | ||
| Written inspection notes provided | ||
| Documented pressure test result | ||
| Fixed price with no hidden additions | Sometimes | |
| Photographic record of heirloom work | ||
| Timing machine read at completion | Sometimes | |
| Drop-off and collection in person | Varies |
Distinctive Features
What you will not find at most repair shops
A presentation folder that travels with the watch
For heirloom rebuilds, the work record is produced in a physical folder designed to be stored alongside the watch. When the watch is passed on, the full service history goes with it.
Cosmetic decisions made with the owner, not for them
Polishing, dial condition, and case finishing are discussed before any aesthetic work is undertaken. An honest tool watch may be better left with its character intact — that is a conversation we have openly.
Honest intake assessment — including referrals when appropriate
If a watch needs work that falls outside our current scope, or if it is under manufacturer warranty, we say so at intake rather than taking the commission. Referrals that serve the owner are more valuable than work that should not be ours.
Three-service structure with no filler packages
Rather than a menu of overlapping tiers designed to upsell, Gearhaus offers exactly three services: a tune-up, a reseal, and a full heirloom rebuild. Each addresses a specific situation, and each has a defined scope.
Recognition
Professional milestones
2019
Workshop established at Sathorn Tai Road, Bangkok
WOSTEP
Watchmaking training lineage through WOSTEP-affiliated programme
340+
Watches returned to active use since opening
4.9
Average rating from workshop clients over the past 12 months
Start Here
A brief note about your watch is all it takes
Tell us what the piece is, what you've observed, and which service interests you. We'll respond with an honest assessment of whether that service is the right fit.
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