Talat Yai, Phuket · Thailand
A workshop shaped by the coast, and by care.
Pranee Atelier came from a simple belief: that people deserve to know exactly what they're handing over, and what will be done with it.
← Back to HomeHow Pranee Atelier began
The workshop opened in Phuket's old quarter in 2009, started by Pranee Thammarat after more than a decade spent repairing watches for a family jeweller in Chiang Rai. Moving south brought a different set of challenges: the salt air, the humidity, the particular wear patterns of watches owned by people who spend time on the water. Those conditions shaped the work from the start.
Over the years the atelier settled into three areas it knows well — general servicing and maintenance, water resistance and seal work, and the patient restoration of vintage and family timepieces. Each one calls for a different pace and a different kind of attention, and the workshop approaches them accordingly.
The guiding principle has stayed the same since the first day: share what you find, agree on what to do, and let the owner decide. Nothing is carried out without a clear conversation first.
What we believe in
Plain communication
We use language that makes sense to the owner, not to a watchmaker. If we find something concerning, we describe it clearly and without alarm.
Fair pricing, upfront
Costs are agreed before any work begins. We don't proceed beyond what was discussed without checking first.
Respect for the object
A watch is often more than a timekeeping device. Inherited pieces and well-travelled watches arrive with their own histories, and we work with that in mind.
Steady pace
There's no benefit in rushing a movement rebuild. We give each piece the time it needs and keep owners informed along the way.
The People at the Bench
Small team, deep focus. Every watch is handled by someone who takes the work personally.
Pranee Thammarat
Founder & Master Watchmaker
Over twenty years in movement work, with a particular interest in mid-century automatics and the wear patterns of coastal climates.
Krit Charoenwong
Restoration Technician
Specialises in vintage movement rebuilding and sourcing period-correct components for watches that need more than a standard service.
Nattaya Panya
Client Liaison
Manages enquiries, condition notes, and keeps owners updated throughout the repair process in both Thai and English.
How We Work
The standards we hold ourselves to on every piece that comes through the door.
Written Condition Report
Every watch receives a written assessment before any work proceeds. This becomes part of the record and is shared with the owner.
Seal & Moisture Testing
Where the design permits, we test water resistance after seal work, and advise honestly on what water contact is sensible afterward.
Timing Verification
After service, movements are regulated and timing is checked across positions before the watch is returned.
Secure Handling
Each piece is individually documented on receipt and kept separately in a secure storage arrangement throughout its time with us.
Service Warranty
All service and maintenance work is covered by a written warranty. The terms are explained clearly before the watch is collected.
Agreed Before Started
Vintage restorations begin with a written plan agreed by the owner. No additional work is carried out without another conversation first.
Watch repair in Phuket, approached with patience
Mechanical watches require periodic attention regardless of how carefully they're kept. A coastal environment accelerates certain types of deterioration — fine oils in the movement thicken, seals harden, and salt air finds its way into places it shouldn't. For owners in and around Phuket, this makes regular servicing a practical consideration rather than an indulgence.
Pranee Atelier focuses specifically on mechanical and automatic movements. The workshop handles everything from routine cleaning and regulation to the more involved work of rebuilding movements that have not run in years, or restoring vintage pieces where original components are difficult to source. Each type of work has its own rhythm, and the atelier respects that rather than trying to compress it.
For owners with inherited timepieces — watches passed down through families, or collected over decades — the atelier offers a careful assessment before any decision is made. Sometimes a watch needs less than expected; sometimes more. Either way, the owner hears it plainly, with time to consider what they'd like to do.
Thinking of bringing a watch in?
There's no commitment to dropping us a line. We're happy to hear about the watch and share what we think it might need.
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