A bench, a loupe, and attention to what matters
Tickwise has been working on watches in Bang Rak since 2011. The studio has stayed small by design — small enough that every piece gets personal attention.
Back to HomeHow Tickwise Came to Be
The studio opened quietly in 2011 in a narrow shophouse on Charoen Krung Road — a street that has been Bangkok's commercial heart for well over a century. The founder, Wanchai Prateep, had spent the previous twelve years working in the movement room of a larger service centre, mostly on quartz calibres and water-resistance work. When he decided to open his own space, he chose to keep the focus narrow: battery replacement, crystal fitting, and case finishing for steel watches. Three services, each done with care.
The name Tickwise arrived from a small printed label he used on the receipt envelopes — a reference to the direction a hand moves around a dial, and a quiet nod to doing things in the right order. The studio has traded under it ever since.
Over the years, the clientele has been a mix of Bangkok residents, expatriates working nearby, and visitors who find the studio while exploring the riverside district. The approach has not changed much: take one piece at a time, use the correct tools, and give the owner a clear account of what was done.
In 2019, a second technician, Naree Jantarasombat, joined the bench. She specialises in crystal work and has developed a particular feel for matching replacement crystals on older or discontinued models, where the original part is no longer in production.
The People at the Bench
Wanchai Prateep
Founder & Head Technician
Over twenty years working on quartz movements and water-resistance servicing. Wanchai opened Tickwise in 2011 and handles battery replacement, pressure checks, and case refinishing.
Naree Jantarasombat
Crystal & Restoration Specialist
Joined the studio in 2019. Naree focuses on crystal replacement and sourcing matched parts for discontinued models, with a careful eye for fitting sapphire, mineral, and acrylic types correctly.
Somchai Thaweesap
Studio Coordinator
Somchai manages appointments, parts sourcing, and client communications. He keeps the workflow running so the technicians can focus on the work at the bench.
How We Work
The protocols below are not policy documents — they are how the bench actually runs.
Correct Tools Only
Cases are opened with case-back openers matched to the case type. No improvised tools are used on customer pieces. Crystals are seated under a proper crystal press.
Padded Handling Throughout
Every watch sits in a numbered padded tray from drop-off to collection. Pieces are never placed on bare surfaces or stacked.
Pressure Testing
Water-resistant cases receive a basic pressure check after battery replacement and after crystal fitting. Results are noted on the service receipt.
Pre-Work Condition Notes
Before any service begins, the technician records the condition of the dial, hands, case, and bracelet. This protects both the customer and the studio from misunderstandings.
Written Service Record
A written receipt is issued for every piece received. The service performed, parts fitted, and price are all listed. The customer keeps a copy.
Secure Overnight Storage
Watches remaining at the studio after closing are stored in a locked cabinet. The studio is alarmed. No pieces are left unattended on open benches outside working hours.
Watch Repair in Bangkok's Oldest Commercial District
Charoen Krung Road occupies a particular place in Bangkok's commercial history. Built in the 1860s, it was the city's first paved road and has remained a working street ever since — jewellers, goldsmiths, antique dealers, and small specialist workshops sit side by side along its length. Tickwise fits naturally into this context. The studio does not advertise broadly, and most new customers find it through word of mouth or by walking past.
The work at Tickwise covers the three most common needs a quartz or steel watch owner encounters: replacing a spent battery with a matched cell, fitting a new crystal after damage, and restoring the surface finish of a steel case. Each of these services requires specific tools, knowledge of materials, and — particularly for case refinishing — a steady, patient hand. The studio does not attempt to service mechanical calibres or movements, which keeps the focus sharp and the quality consistent across the services offered.
For customers bringing in a piece they value, whether a daily-wear Seiko, a travel companion Longines, or a steel sports watch with sentimental history, the experience at Tickwise is the same: a careful assessment, a clear explanation of what the work involves, and a receipt that records exactly what was done.
Bring your watch to the bench
Whether you need a battery changed on a lunch break or a crystal replaced on a piece you have worn for years, the studio is open most weekdays. Call ahead or send a note.
Book an Appointment