SƠN MÀI - SILVER LEAF
« VIGNETTE »
A year ago, we introduced the Sơn Mài collection, highlighting Vietnamese craftsmanship in the watchmaking industry for the first time and paving the way for a new approach to Métiers d'Art, based on the desire to preserve ancestral skills while embedding them in contemporary culture.
To celebrate this first anniversary, we have designed five new ‘Silver Leaf’ dials, introducing captivating gradient effects reminiscent of the legendary "Vignette" dials of the 1970s and 1980s and combining sanded Vietnamese lacquer with pure silver leaf – an entirely artisanal technique exclusive to the brand.
SHARING AND MODERNIZING EXCEPTIONAL CRAFTSMANSHIP
The result of our constant experimentation with new techniques to extract their quintessence and fuel our creativity, the dials of these five new versions recall the magnificent "Vignette" dials, emblematic of the 1970s and 1980s, and their "smoky gradient" effects, drawing attention to the center by creating a strong contrast with the surroundings. To create these dials, the Master Lacquer Artists pushed the boundaries of their art: experimenting with bolder colors, combining lacquer and silver leaf in different ways, and meticulously layering pigments and successive layers of lacquer.
The term "Vignette," borrowed from photography and optics, originally referred to a lens defect that reduced the light intake at the periphery of the image, leaving the center brighter. Transposed to our vision of watchmaking, this aesthetic becomes an asset: a 10-hour creative process to create, by hand, this unique visual depth and chromatic intensity, generated by subtle color transitions achieved through different pigments and a meticulous layering of lacquer, irrevocably drawing the eye to its center.
Son Mài - Silver Leaf « Golden Hour »
Inspired by the fleeting “golden hours” following sunrise or preceding sunset, this limited edition of 100 pieces is adorned with warm red, orange, and yellow hues. Like the Impressionists seeking to capture light, the artisans create a radiant ochre yellow center that fades into a vibrant orange and then covers itself in tobacco shades. By day, the dial shines like a solar flare; by night, it takes on the incandescent glow of embers. A poetic invitation to slow down and fully experience the present moment, even if it is fleeting.
« LIMITED EDITION OF 100 »
Discover nowSon Mài - Silver Leaf « Ultra Violet »
Provocative and captivating, this complex purple plays with light to accentuate its mystery. The vignette gradient obscures its edges, reinforcing its intensity and spiritual aura. Modern and assertive by day, it becomes intriguing and almost mystical in the dark. A bold watch, designed as a true style statement.
Discover nowSon Mài - Silver Leaf « Palladium »
Elegant and subtle, this dial displays a gradient ranging from a luminous light gold to a deep brown. Both understated and refined, it symbolizes clarity and purity, while diffusing a warm and soothing atmosphere. A modern alternative to classic beige or brown tones, it combines discretion and sophistication, to match both a contemporary look and a vintage outfit.
Discover nowSon Mài - Silver Leaf « Carmine Red »
Deep and provocative, carmine red has stood the test of time as a symbol of passion, courage, and seduction. Here, it appears in intense shades, from vibrant red to deep black, creating a powerful and stimulating dial. Its depth and reflections irresistibly attract the eye, infusing its wearer with energy and vitality.
Discover nowSon Mài - Silver Leaf « Moonlight Blue »
Inspired by moonlight and the “blue hours,” this dial blends several blue pigments for a unique intensity. From airy light blue to mysterious midnight blue, it exudes a soothing energy and an almost meditative calm. Discreet yet rich in nuances, it embodies sobriety and elegance, while evoking the poetic transition between day and night.
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