Introducing: Awake Sơn Mài Silver Leaf Collection

Awake has introduced four new dial variations in its Son Mai Silver Leaf Collection, expanding the brand's artistic watchmaking line with handcrafted Vietnamese lacquer techniques. The new watches feature gradient "Vignette" dials in Gentian Blue, Indian Red, Java Green, and Purple Viola, each created using traditional Son Mai lacquer methods combined with silver leaf gilding. The French microbrand, founded in 2019, has evolved from experimental early collections to focus on artistic craft techniques, drawing inspiration from founder Lilian Thibault's travels to Vietnam.

Each dial requires more than ten hours of meticulous work, involving delicate application of pure silver leaf and approximately twelve layers of lacquer, with production capped at fewer than 100 pieces per color per year. The Purple Viola stands apart as a limited edition of just 200 pieces worldwide. The technique integrates natural pigments across the rainbow spectrum, with the Vignette style featuring a dramatic dark frame that transitions from darker tones at the periphery to lighter tones at the center where the hour and minute hands converge.

The watches now feature redesigned 38mm stainless steel cases measuring 44.75mm lug-to-lug and 11.5mm thick, housing the Swiss-made La Joux-Perret G101 automatic caliber with a 68-hour power reserve and tungsten oscillating weight machined from solid blocks. The casebacks are engraved with Awake's mission: "Illuminating the hands and heritage behind rare crafts" alongside the brand's philosophy: "Artisanship, Awakened."

Awake has also reimagined its approach to luminescence, using solid BGW9 luminous bases topped with sculpted steel caps that conceal the luminous material during daylight while emitting a subtle halo in darkness. The straps, handcrafted in France by Maison Jean Rousseau and Bouveret, offer Alcantara or nubuck options in red, blue, green, and grey, featuring curved quick-release spring bars and micro-adjustable pin buckles.

The new Silver Leaf 38mm models are priced at 2,640 Euros and are available today with initial deliveries expected to start in late November. The first three colors join the permanent collection with annual production limits of 100 pieces per color, while the Purple Viola remains strictly limited to 200 pieces worldwide.