— Our Story
A Workshop Built on
Measured Patience
Cadran opened in 2009 with a straightforward conviction: mechanical watches deserve the same care their makers put into them.
← Return Home— The Atelier
Where Cadran Began
Cadran was established in 2009 by watchmaker Olivier Desrues, who spent his earlier years in Lyon and Geneva before settling in Nonthaburi. He had grown tired of seeing serviceable watches discarded because no local workshop was willing to open the case and look. The atelier was his answer to that.
The name — French for dial face — was chosen deliberately. The dial is what a wearer sees. But the movement behind it is what Cadran cares about most.
Over sixteen years the workshop has handled everything from everyday automatic watches needing a routine clean to century-old pocket watches brought in by their third or fourth owners. The approach has stayed consistent: assess carefully, communicate clearly, work without hurry.
"A watch that has been running for forty years deserves more than a battery and a wipe."
— Olivier Desrues, Founder
2009
Founded
1,400+
Watches Serviced
3
Core Services
16+
Years Experience
— The People
Three Hands Behind the Work
Olivier Desrues
Founder & Master Watchmaker
Trained in Lyon and Geneva, Olivier has worked with mechanical movements for over twenty-five years. He oversees all Precision Regulation and Grand Restoration work personally.
Nattaporn Panyasri
Workshop Technician
Nattaporn joined Cadran in 2015 after completing a watchmaking programme in Chiang Mai. She handles Essential Refresh services and assists with movement cleaning and parts sourcing.
Wanchai Kumjai
Client Liaison
Wanchai manages client communications, collection scheduling, and handover documentation. He is usually the first point of contact when you visit or call the atelier.
— How We Work
Standards We Hold Ourselves To
Written Scope Before Work Begins
Every service starts with a short written statement of what will be done and what it will cost. Nothing is added without the owner's agreement.
Ultrasonic Cleaning Protocol
Movements are cleaned using an ultrasonic bath with watchmaker-grade solution, then dried and inspected under magnification before reassembly.
Rate Testing on a Timing Machine
Regulated movements are tested across multiple positions using a dedicated timing machine. Results are recorded and included in the handover report.
Seal and Water-Resistance Checks
Gaskets are inspected on every service and replaced where they show age or compression. Water-resistance is checked using a dry pressure tester before the case is closed.
Secure Handling and Storage
Watches left with us are individually tagged, logged, and stored in a locked cabinet when not on the workbench. Each piece is photographed on arrival.
Clear Collection and Communication
You are notified by phone or message when work is complete. Collection appointments can be arranged to fit your schedule, including weekend mornings.
— Atelier Philosophy
What It Means to Care for a Watch
Most mechanical watches are built to outlast their first owners by a considerable margin. The designs are often decades old, the materials durable, and the mechanisms straightforward enough to service with the right equipment and knowledge. What shortens a watch's working life is usually not age — it is insufficient lubrication, contamination from moisture or dust, or physical impact that goes unnoticed until something stops working.
At Cadran, every piece that arrives is assessed before any work is proposed. The condition of the mainspring, the state of the keywork, the quality of the existing lubricant — these observations inform the scope and determine whether a lighter service or a more involved process is appropriate. The assessment is communicated to the owner in plain language.
For heritage pieces, an additional consideration applies. A watch that carries visible age — a slightly faded dial, a case with honest wear, a crystal that has collected minor marks — often has more character than a freshly refinished one. Cadran's default position is to work with that character rather than erase it. Owners who prefer a more restored appearance can discuss that approach separately.
The atelier serves private collectors, working professionals, and those who have inherited a family piece and want it running again. The service level varies. The attention given to each watch does not.
— Next Steps
Bring Your Watch to the Atelier
Send a message with a brief description of the piece, or simply bring it in during opening hours. We will take a look and let you know what would be useful.
Contact Cadran