Dao
A glowing dial of a well-maintained vintage watch

Client Experiences

What people say after collecting their watch

We do not ask for reviews immediately, and we do not prompt people heavily. The notes below came in on their own, which is why they read the way they do.

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6+

Years in Patong

700+

Watches serviced

4.8

Average rating

96%

Return clients

Reviews

From those who've been through the process

MK

Michael K.

Phuket, long-term resident

My Seiko 5 was running about four minutes slow a day — I had been putting it off for two years. Siriporn at Dao assessed it while I waited, explained clearly what had dried out inside, and gave me a quote before touching anything. The turnaround was under ten days. It now runs within a few seconds a day. Reasonably priced for the quality of work.

May 2025 · Refresh & Clean

SL

Sophie L.

Visitor from France

I brought in a French-made automatic that had belonged to my grandfather — I was nervous leaving it anywhere. The assessment took about twenty minutes, and I left feeling the watch was in careful hands. The finished service was collected before my flight. Everything about the experience was calm and professional. I received a short written note explaining exactly what had been done.

April 2025 · Complete Service

PN

Panya N.

Bangkok resident, visiting Phuket

Brought in an ETA-based dive watch for a full service. The work itself was well done — movement clean, timing improved substantially, seals replaced. The only reason for four rather than five stars is that the collection was a day later than the original estimate, though I was contacted in advance and given a reason. I would return without hesitation.

April 2025 · Complete Service

RW

Robert W.

Australian, based in Phuket

I have a 1968 Omega Constellation that needed both movement work and dial attention. Dao coordinated with a dial specialist, kept me updated throughout, and provided photographs at each stage. The result is exactly what I hoped for — the watch looks and runs as it should without losing any of its original character. Six weeks of careful work, worth every baht.

March 2025 · Dial & Movement Restoration

AT

Amporn T.

Patong local

My husband's watch stopped working unexpectedly — a Japanese automatic he has worn since his father gave it to him. I was worried it might be serious. The assessment was thorough and honest: a broken mainspring, nothing more. The replacement was sourced and fitted within two weeks. The price was very fair, and the watch was returned with a written explanation. Very glad we found this studio.

May 2025 · Complete Service

JM

James M.

UK visitor

Came in for a Refresh & Clean on a Tissot I had been wearing daily for three years. Straightforward experience — the watchmaker explained what he planned to do, did it, and the watch came back running noticeably better. A small additional charge for a new gasket was mentioned upfront before it was fitted, which I appreciated. Good value for a studio in Patong.

May 2025 · Refresh & Clean

Case Studies

A closer look at three watches we have worked on

The Challenge

1974 Seiko 5 — stopped after 48 years

A Phuket-based collector brought in a 1974 Seiko 5 that had simply stopped running. The watch had not been serviced in decades and showed no visible damage from the outside.

What We Did

Full disassembly revealed a seized keyless works from oil that had long since dried and hardened. The movement was given a complete clean and re-oil. A worn click spring was replaced. The case was lightly polished at the owner's request.

The Outcome

The watch runs reliably at +8 seconds per day. The owner received a photo set from the disassembly, reassembly, and final regulation stages. Duration: just under three weeks.

"I did not expect it to look this good inside after so long. Seeing the photos of the movement disassembled was a surprise — it was actually in reasonable shape once the old oil was out."

The Challenge

Swiss ETA-based diver — inconsistent rate

A visitor from Germany arrived with a Swiss automatic diver reading up to 90 seconds fast per day in certain positions, fine in others. The watch had been serviced elsewhere two years prior.

What We Did

Multi-position timegrapher testing confirmed the issue was in the regulation pin and balance wheel poise. Adjustment was made without a full disassembly — a Refresh & Clean was sufficient given the recent prior service. Seals were inspected and the crown replaced as it was worn.

The Outcome

Rate settled to +4 seconds per day across all positions. Service completed in eight days. The visitor collected the watch before their departure. Total charge: ฿4,600.

"I had expected to leave the watch and come back another time. The fact they resolved it in eight days, while I was still on the island, was a relief."

The Challenge

Omega Constellation — full restoration

A 1968 Omega Constellation arrived needing both movement and dial attention. The case had been polished heavily at some point and had lost some definition, and the dial had fading on two indices.

What We Did

Complete movement overhaul with calibre-specific lubricants. Case re-finishing to restore brushed and polished surfaces. Dial sent to a trusted specialist for careful index restoration — a six-week process involving consultation at each stage with the owner.

The Outcome

Movement runs at +6 seconds per day. Case definition restored. Dial indices refreshed while preserving the patina of the surrounding dial surface. Full photo documentation supplied.

"It looks like itself again, which is all I wanted. They did not over-restore it — everything was discussed with me first."

Contact

How to reach us

Address

57 Rat Uthit 200 Pi Rd, Patong, Phuket 83150

Hours

Mon–Sat: 10:00–19:00
Sun: 11:00–17:00

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We are happy to look at your watch and share what we find. Assessment is at no charge and carries no commitment.

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