Our Studio
Quiet Work, Done Well
Manora Studio was established to offer watchmakers' care in a place where it is rarely easy to find — carried out patiently, with clear communication and no pressure.
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How Manora Studio Came to Be
Manora Studio opened on Niphat Uthit 3 Road in Hat Yai after its founder, Khun Wichai Manora, spent nearly two decades working with mechanical movements in Bangkok and, before that, completing a formal apprenticeship under a Swiss-trained watchmaker in Chiang Mai. The decision to bring fine watch servicing to Songkhla Province came from a simple observation: owners of treasured or complicated watches were travelling long distances or sending pieces overseas for work that, done properly, should be available closer to home.
The studio opened in 2014 with two benches, a modest tool collection, and a policy that has not changed since: nothing is started without a clear agreement on scope and cost. Over the years, the tool inventory has grown to cover a broader range of movements and calibres, but the approach remains the same — careful assessment first, work only when the owner has decided, honest reporting of what was found.
We focus on mechanical movements and do not accept every watch that comes through the door. When a piece is outside our scope, we say so plainly and, where we can, suggest where the owner might turn. We would rather decline work than carry it out poorly.
Most of our work arrives through word of mouth — from customers who appreciated a repair done without drama, or who found an honest assessment more valuable than a hasty service. That quiet reputation is something we take seriously and work to maintain with each piece we handle.
The People
Who You Will Meet
Wichai Manora
Founder & Master Watchmaker
Trained under a Swiss-certified watchmaker in Chiang Mai and worked with mechanical movements for over nineteen years. Handles complex calibres, full restorations, and assessments requiring fine judgement.
Nattawut Phaiboon
Senior Technician
Specialises in diagnostics, basic servicing, and seal renewal. Brings a methodical approach and a particular interest in vintage Japanese and European movements.
Araya Saengthong
Client Liaison
Manages customer communication and ensures each owner is kept informed throughout the process. Speaks Thai and English fluently.
How We Work
Standards We Hold Ourselves To
Written Assessment Before Work
For all restorations, and on request for other services, we provide a written assessment covering our findings, the proposed scope, and costs — before any work is carried out.
Calibrated Timing Equipment
We regulate every serviced movement against a calibrated timegrapher and report the result. Timing is set to an appropriate rate for the calibre and its intended use.
Resistance Testing for Sealed Watches
Water resistance claims are verified using controlled test equipment after seal renewal. We report the tested result and advise honestly on safe water contact given the watch's design.
Original Parts Preferred
Where manufacturer-original parts are available, we use them. For restorations, we source period-correct components where this is meaningful to the watch's character.
Secure Handling and Storage
Watches in our care are stored in locked trays individually identified. We maintain a simple log of each piece from receipt to collection and do not leave work unaccounted for.
Clear Communication Throughout
We contact you if findings change the original scope or estimate. No work beyond what was agreed is carried out without discussion and your clear consent.
Our Values
What We Believe About Watch Servicing
A mechanical watch is not a disposable object. It is a small, intricate system designed to keep working across decades, provided it receives occasional, competent attention. We find this worth respecting — both in how we handle the watches themselves and in how we speak with their owners.
Too often, watch servicing is accompanied by vague estimates, opaque processes, and work carried out without the owner's full understanding of what was done. We take the opposite approach. Before we begin, you understand what we found. After we finish, you understand what was done and why.
We service movements using lubricants and techniques appropriate to each calibre's tolerances. We do not take shortcuts that compromise the movement's longevity in exchange for a faster turnaround.
Watch Repair in Songkhla
Serving Hat Yai and the Region
Hat Yai is the commercial centre of southern Thailand and, as such, is home to many people who own watches of quality and age — watches brought back from travels, inherited from family, or acquired over years of considered purchase. These watches deserve a place to go when they need care.
We work with customers from Hat Yai city, from Songkhla town, from Sadao, and from the broader southern provinces. If you are travelling from Malaysia or elsewhere in the region, we are accessible from the main road network and are happy to arrange appointments in advance.
For straightforward enquiries about whether your watch falls within our scope, a phone call or message is the simplest starting point. We will answer honestly.
Ready to Begin?
Bring Your Watch in for a Look
No obligation. Just a careful assessment and a plain conversation about what your watch needs.
Contact Us