What Makes the Difference in a Workshop
The difference between a decent repair and a good one is rarely visible at first glance. It lives in the materials used, the care taken, and the communication along the way.
Back to HomeA Summary of What You Can Expect
These are not aspirations. They are the working practices of the workshop as it operates today.
Written scope before work begins
You know what is being done and why before any tools are applied to the movement.
One technician per watch
Your piece is handled by one person from acceptance to return. No handoffs between benches.
Professional-grade lubricants
Moebius and Synt-A-Lube products throughout. No off-brand substitutes at any service level.
Timegrapher testing on return
Rate readings in multiple positions are recorded and included with every mechanical piece on return.
Parts matched to the piece
Where replacement parts are needed, we look for period-appropriate or manufacturer-sourced components first.
Plain communication throughout
We speak clearly about what we find and what we recommend. No jargon used to obscure a simple point.
In More Detail
Each of these points matters for different reasons. Here is the fuller picture.
Professional Background
The three technicians at Tourbillo have between eight and fifteen years of hands-on horological experience. One trained formally in Switzerland; the others built their knowledge through long apprenticeships in Bangkok and Chiang Mai service departments.
That background matters most in restoration work, where judgement about what to preserve and what to replace is as important as the mechanical skill to do the job.
- Swiss lever, cylinder, and co-axial escapements
- Column-wheel and cam-lever chronograph mechanisms
- Vintage pocket watch calibres from the late 19th century onward
- Japanese automatic movements including high-beat calibres
- Case and dial conservation for restoration projects
- Multi-stage ultrasonic cleaning with deionised water rinse
- Epilame treatment for anchor and escape wheel surfaces
- Timegrapher testing in six positions post-service
- Dry-pressure case testing before final assembly
Equipment & Process
The workshop is equipped for professional horological work rather than high-street repairs. Ultrasonic cleaning, epilame treatment, and timegrapher testing are standard steps in every service — not optional upgrades.
These steps take longer than a straightforward clean-and-lube, but they produce a result that holds up over the years following the service.
How We Communicate
You will hear from us before work begins with a scope note, and again if anything changes during the job. We do not proceed with unexpected repairs without prior discussion and agreement on cost and approach.
Questions are welcome at any stage. We respond to messages within one working day.
- Scope agreed in writing before any work proceeds
- Updates provided if timeline or scope changes
- One working day response to all enquiries
- Written record accompanies every returned watch
How This Compares
A straightforward look at how an independent specialist workshop differs from a high-volume service centre.
| Feature | Tourbillo | Typical Service Centre |
|---|---|---|
| Written scope agreed before work begins | ||
| Single technician handles each watch throughout | ||
| Swiss-grade lubricants as standard | ||
| Timegrapher readings included with return | ||
| Parts sourced to match original specification | ||
| Staged updates on restoration projects | ||
| Pressure testing as standard for water-resistant cases |
Aspects That Distinguish Our Work
Several features of how Tourbillo works are uncommon among independent workshops of similar size.
Formal Written Agreements on Restoration Work
Full restoration projects are documented in a brief written agreement covering scope, timeline, and pricing before work begins. This protects both parties and removes ambiguity from longer jobs.
Historical Service Records for Returning Clients
We maintain records of work done on each piece for returning clients. When a watch comes in a second time, the previous service history informs the current assessment.
Condition Report on Acceptance
Every watch arriving at the workshop is assessed and the condition noted in writing at the time of acceptance. That record travels with the piece throughout its time in the workshop.
Honest Scope Limits
We decline work that falls outside our capabilities rather than attempt it. If a calibre requires tooling or expertise we do not hold, we say so and suggest where it might be better served.
Milestones & Recognitions
2011
Workshop established
in Phuket Old Town
850+
Timepieces serviced
since opening
4.9
Average client rating
across all reviews
12+
Countries of origin
among our clients
Member of the Thailand Horological Trades Association since 2015
Phuket Business Excellence recognition — independent crafts category, 2022
Repeat-client rate above 65% across the workshop's history
Ready to Bring a Watch In?
Send a brief description of the piece and what you have noticed. We will respond within one working day with a straightforward assessment.
Send an Enquiry