About Sila Wela

A Workshop Built on Patience and Precision

We are a small independent workshop in Krabi. Our work is slow, thorough, and always discussed with the owner before it begins.

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Our Story

How Sila Wela Came to Be

Sila Wela opened in Krabi's Pak Nam district after years of working at a larger service centre in Bangkok. The name comes from two Thai words — sila, meaning stone or steadiness, and wela, meaning time. Together they capture something we feel strongly about: time kept steadily, and work done with a settled hand.

The workshop was set up with a simple idea in mind. Many owners of older and inherited watches were travelling far, or sending pieces unsafely, just to find someone willing to take the work seriously. We wanted to be that someone, closer to home, and without the formality that sometimes makes people reluctant to ask questions.

From the beginning, we committed to explaining our findings honestly, discussing options without steering anyone, and putting a written plan in front of owners before any significant work begins. Those habits have not changed since we opened, and we do not intend them to.

Our Values

Patience

A watch that has been well kept for fifty years deserves more than a hurried afternoon. We schedule accordingly.
Honest Dialogue

We tell owners what we find, what we think the options are, and what each costs — before anything is decided.
Respect for Originality

We do not assume an old dial needs to look new. The owner's wishes on this matter most.
Written Plans

For restoration work, a written plan goes out before we begin. No surprises on the invoice.

The Workshop

People Behind the Bench

Kriangkrai Chinawong

Head Watchmaker

Over twenty years spent on mechanical movements, with particular experience in vintage pocket watches and mid-century wristwatches. He carries out all movement work and restoration assessments.

Nattaporn Paiboon

Dial & Case Specialist

Focuses on the cosmetic side — assessing dials, sourcing or fabricating hands, and advising on case refinishing. She brings a conservator's instinct to every decision about what to change and what to leave.

Sunita Wongchai

Client Liaison

Handles enquiries, coordinates collection and return, and makes sure owners receive clear updates throughout the process. She is usually the first person you will speak with.

How We Work

Standards We Maintain

Each standard here reflects a habit developed over years of workshop experience — not a certificate on the wall, but a way of working that shapes every job we take.

Assessment Before Action

Every piece is examined and discussed before any work begins. We never start a repair without the owner's knowledge and agreement on cost.

Proper Lubricants

We use correctly specified horological lubricants for each calibre type. The wrong oil in the wrong place causes more damage than no oil at all.

Original Parts Preserved

We keep and return all original parts removed during a service, unless the owner has agreed to their disposal. This is particularly important for collectible pieces.

Timing Machine Testing

Movements are tested on a timing machine in multiple positions before reassembly. We share the results with owners who ask to see them.

Secure Storage

Watches left with us are kept in a secure, climate-controlled cabinet when not on the bench. Each piece is individually tagged and logged on arrival.

Service Warranty

Routine services carry a written warranty. If timekeeping is not within the expected range after the service, please bring the watch back and we will investigate without charge.

Mechanical Watch Repair in Southern Thailand

Krabi is not a city typically associated with watchmaking, which is precisely why we felt it was worth establishing a proper workshop here. Residents across southern Thailand, expatriates, and visitors who have inherited a piece with no obvious place to take it — all of them occasionally need careful, considered repair work that does not require a trip to Bangkok or abroad.

Sila Wela handles mechanical and automatic movements: manual-wind pocket watches, vintage wristwatches from the 1940s through the 1990s, and contemporary mechanical pieces from established and independent makers. We do not service quartz movements as a primary offering, though we can advise on battery replacement and simple quartz servicing needs.

Heirloom restoration is the work we find most meaningful. A watch that belonged to a grandparent, stopped running years ago, and has sat in a drawer since — that piece often carries more emotional weight than any new purchase. Bringing it back to reliable service, while treating its aged surfaces with care, is a job that calls for restraint as much as technical skill.

We welcome enquiries by phone, email, or in person at the workshop. Appointments are not always necessary for a drop-in assessment, but phoning ahead ensures someone is available to give the piece proper attention on arrival.

A Watch Worth Caring For?

We are glad to take a look and share what we think. Reach out with a description of the piece and we will let you know the best next step.

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