REF-010 · COMPANY
Steady Hands,
Honest Work
Cogtide is a small repair workshop in Chiang Mai. We service watches that matter to their owners — simply and without drama.
Back to HomeREF-011 · OUR STORY
How Cogtide Came to Be
Cogtide opened on Nimmanhaemin Road because the neighbourhood suited the pace we were after. Chiang Mai has long drawn people who value craft, and watchmaking fits naturally into that. The name refers to the rhythmic pull of a mainspring as it unwinds — steady, measurable, never rushed.
The workshop started with one technician and a straightforward ambition: carry out repairs properly or not at all. That has not changed. We keep the service list short so each type of work can be done well. An overhaul takes the time it takes; a crown repair is assessed before any commitment is made.
Over the years we have worked on a wide range of movements — vintage pocket watches brought over from Europe, everyday Japanese automatics worn for decades, dress watches from the 1970s that came with a parent's story attached. Each one gets the same deliberate attention.
We are not the largest shop in town. We are content being a place people come back to.
MISSION
To return every watch to reliable, measured function — and to give the owner a clear account of what was done and why.
VALUES
- Transparency — no work proceeds without your agreement
- Patience — the right pace for each movement, not the fastest
- Honesty — if a repair is not worth doing, we say so
- Precision — documented results, not verbal assurances
MILESTONES
8+
Years on Nimman Road
1,200+
Movements serviced
94%
Customers who return
12mo
Overhaul warranty
REF-012 · TEAM
The People at the Bench
A small, experienced group. We do not outsource work or hand repairs off between technicians mid-job.
Krit Phothisan
Lead Watchmaker
Trained in mechanical horology in Switzerland and returned to Chiang Mai to run his own workshop. Handles full overhauls and complex movement work.
Nira Wongkorn
Repair Technician
Specialises in crown, stem, and pusher replacements. Has a particular patience for older movements where parts require careful sourcing or adaptation.
Sunisa Malai
Workshop Coordinator
Manages customer communication, work orders, and parts sourcing. Ensures every piece is tracked from drop-off to collection with care.
REF-013 · STANDARDS
How We Work
A consistent process for every job that comes through the door, regardless of the watch's age or complexity.
Initial Assessment
Every watch is assessed before work begins. We identify all faults, discuss the findings with you, and agree a scope before any disassembly.
Ultrasonic Cleaning
Disassembled components are cleaned ultrasonically before lubrication. Old oil residue and debris are removed rather than covered over with fresh lubricant.
Timing Verification
Completed movements are measured on a timing machine across multiple positions. Results are recorded and provided with the watch on collection.
Secure Storage
Watches in our care are stored securely and individually. Each piece has its own labelled job envelope from intake to collection.
12-Month Warranty
Full overhaul work is covered by a 12-month service warranty on the repair performed. If the issue recurs, bring it back and we will address it.
Customer Privacy
Customer information and service records are held in confidence. We do not share your details or your watch's history with third parties.
REF-014 · EXPERTISE
Watchmaking in Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai sits at a useful crossroads for watch repair. The city draws a mix of long-term residents, visiting collectors, and travellers who discover that a watch they have been carrying for years has quietly fallen behind. Our location on Nimmanhaemin Road means we are easy to reach whether you are local or passing through.
Mechanical watchmaking is a discipline built on accumulated understanding. A watchmaker develops feel through repetition — the resistance of a correctly seated jewel, the sound of a mainspring that has been wound correctly, the behaviour of a balance wheel that is running as it should. This kind of knowledge does not reduce to a checklist. It develops slowly and it shows in the work.
We service Swiss, Japanese, and German movements across most eras. Our work covers manual-wind, automatic, and quartz calibres. We are cautious about modifications or case polishing by default — original condition is generally worth preserving unless you have a specific reason to change it.
Northern Thailand has its own humidity considerations for stored watches. We are happy to advise on storage practices if you bring in a piece that has been sitting unworn for some time. A brief conversation before a repair can sometimes spare a watch from unnecessary intervention.
REF-015 · GET STARTED
Bring Your Watch In
We are on Nimman Road, Monday through Saturday. Walk-ins are welcome for strap work; for overhaul and repair enquiries, an appointment helps us prepare properly.
Send an Enquiry