The difference is in how we describe it, not how we sell it
A comparison between what most workshops offer and what we've chosen to do differently — including things that aren't often spoken about in this trade.
Back to HomeAdvantages specific to this approach
Written evidence of condition
A condition report gives you a factual record with photographs. Useful before purchasing a pre-owned piece, useful when selling one, useful for insurance.
- Photographs included
- Plain-language description
- No obligation to proceed further
Demagnetisation as standard
Many workshops overlook this step. We include it in every movement service because magnetism is a common cause of erratic running that owners don't always suspect.
- Included in movement service price
- Non-invasive procedure
- Result noted in handover paperwork
Stated prices, no additions
Each service has a clear price. Additional work is never started without a separate conversation and your agreement. The figure you see is the figure you pay for that scope.
- Three services with fixed prices
- Scope discussed upfront
- No surprise charges at collection
Staged restoration process
Restoration is carried out in steps, with updates between each stage. You decide what happens next at each point, rather than handing a watch over and receiving it back as a fait accompli.
- Each stage documented
- Owner consulted between steps
- Refinishing only if requested
Rate testing included
After every movement service, timekeeping performance is measured across positions. The figures are included in the documentation that comes back with the watch.
- Multi-position testing
- Figures recorded in writing
- No extra charge
Period-correct parts sourcing
For restoration jobs, the goal is components that belong to the watch — not generic substitutes. When a correct part is harder to find, we discuss options before choosing a path.
- Manufacturer-correct where possible
- Alternatives discussed openly
- Provenance noted in records
Trained hands and a collector's perspective
The work at Grailtick is carried out by people who approach watches both technically and as objects with provenance. The combination matters. A watchmaker who only sees a movement will polish a dial when asked without considering what that erases. Someone who understands the collector's view thinks twice. Our team includes both technical training in movement work and familiarity with the secondary market for pre-owned pieces.
Documented at every stage, not just at the end
Most workshops hand you a verbal update when you collect. We produce written notes at each stage of the work — what was found on arrival, what was carried out, and what the watch tested at before it left. This matters for insurance purposes, for resale, and for your own peace of mind. It also keeps us accountable in a way that a verbal account does not.
You decide what happens next, at each step
This isn't about being passive — it's about respecting that the watch belongs to you. When our assessment turns up something worth addressing, we tell you and let you decide whether to proceed. For restoration work this is particularly important: a piece that has patina and wear is not a damaged piece, and we won't treat it as one without your direction.
Three services at named prices in Thai Baht
The condition report is ฿4,200. The movement service including demagnetisation is ฿7,000. The full restoration is ฿11,700. These are the base prices for the work described. If a restoration involves parts sourcing with additional cost, or if scope changes arise, we discuss that before it affects the bill. Visitors to Bangkok often comment that watch service pricing here is opaque — we've chosen not to operate that way.
What you leave with
After a condition report: a document with photographs and plain-language observations about the watch's state. After a movement service: a watch running to a tested rate, with a record of that rate. After a full restoration: a watch that has been carefully worked on and documented, with all decisions recorded, and a piece whose condition is genuinely improved — not just polished to hide what was there before.
Typical workshop vs. Grailtick
| Feature | Typical Workshop | Grailtick |
|---|---|---|
| Written condition report available | ||
| Demagnetisation included in service | ||
| Rate test data provided at handover | ||
| Restoration discussed at each stage | Sometimes | |
| No work begins without your consent | Varies | |
| Stated prices for all services | Rarely | |
| Period-correct parts sourced for restoration | Not always |
Features you won't find everywhere
Independent condition reports as a standalone service
We offer assessments with no bundled repair sales. Many workshops won't assess unless they can also quote the work. We will assess and hand you the report with no obligation attached.
Photographs included in every condition report
Written description without photographs leaves room for interpretation. We include images of the case, dial, movement, and any notable points so the report is self-contained.
Restraint on refinishing
We do not refinish cases or polish dials unless you ask us to. Collectors understand why this matters. Wear is part of a watch's record, and it's not our place to erase it by default.
A fixed address on Charoen Krung Road
We're in a named, findable location — not a pop-up or market stall. If something needs to be discussed or reviewed in person, you know where to come.
Milestones and professional standing
Affiliated member, Académie Horlogère des Créateurs Indépendants — independent watchmaking network
Lead watchmaker holds WOSTEP qualification in movement service and restoration techniques
Condition reports and service jobs completed since the workshop opened on Charoen Krung Road
Average client satisfaction rating based on post-service feedback collected between June 2024 and June 2025
See these benefits for your own piece
Send us a brief note about the watch and what you're hoping to understand or accomplish. We'll respond with an honest assessment of whether we can help.
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