Son Mài - Silver Leaf "Gentian Blue"

Sale price€ 2,640.00

Tax included.

STANDARD COLLECTION

Guilloché Main Collection:

True works of art, each of these one-of-a-kind dials is entirely handcrafted using an unprecedented combination of two centuries-old artisanal techniques brought together in watchmaking for the very first time by Awake: silver leaf gilding and traditional Vietnamese Sơn Mài lacquer, developed in close collaboration with some of Hanoi's finest artisans.


WATCH DELIVERIES

Deliveries will begin on November 30, 2026.

Production will be limited to a maximum of 100 pieces per year, per dial color, depending on the production capacity of our lacquer artisans.

Preserving, Modernizing, Transmitting.

Conceived as a genuine form of cultural expression, Silver Leaf collection transformed an intuition into a conviction and officially marked our entry into the fascinating world of the Métiers d’Art through a world first: the unprecedented combination of two traditional Vietnamese artisanal techniques : Sơn Mài lacquer and silver leaf gilding.

Today, we breathe new life into this landmark collection - now housed in the new 38 mm case - unveiling four new “Vignette” variations, bringing together the aesthetic codes of 1970s watchmaking and the Métiers d’Art. Four new dials featuring striking smoked-gradient effects make their debut in vibrant shades: 3 joining the permanent collection (Java Green, Gentian Blue, Indian Red) and 1 limited to 200 pieces (Purple Viola).

Son Mài - Silver Leaf

The dial is entirely handcrafted using the centuries-old Vietnamese art of Sơn Mài lacquer, renowned for its remarkable depth and distinctive reflections.

Enhanced by a second traditional craft - silver leaf gilding - and created in one of Vietnam's most prestigious workshops, these four new dials perpetuate a time-honoured savoir-faire demanding precision, patience and dexterity, while opening it up to more contemporary forms of expression.

“Gentian Blue”

Striking a delicate balance between azure and royal blue, Gentian Blue unveils a deep, soothing hue that invites introspection and tranquillity. Luminous at its centre - as though the light were emanating from within - the color gradually deepens towards the edges, creating a mesmerizing sense of depth and revealing ever-changing nuances as light plays across its surface.

A dial that asserts its presence with quiet confidence, exuding a timeless sense of serenity and understated elegance.

The Art of Lacquerwork.

It all begins with the sap of the Rhus verniciflua tree, native to northern Vietnam. After ten years of growth, each tree yields only around 200 ml of sap per year, carefully harvested at dawn during June and July. Once purified and dehydrated, this precious raw material is transformed into a crystalline lacquer, renowned for its exceptional brilliance and protective properties.

Rooted in a centuries-old tradition, the Sơn Mài technique involves applying, layering and polishing multiple coats of natural lacquer until a mirror-like finish of unparalleled depth is achieved. Unlike Chinese and Japanese lacquer traditions, Vietnamese artisans incorporate precious materials into the lacquer, gold, mother-of-pearl and, in this case, silver leaf, creating unique textures, subtle reliefs and captivating plays of light.

The Incomparable Radiance of Silver Leaf.

Over an initial layer of lacquer, carefully dried, sanded and polished to perfection, delicate sheets of pure silver leaf are meticulously applied using a brush. This exceptionally precise gesture lends each dial an organic texture, a vibrant sense of relief and ever-changing reflections that capture the light with remarkable intensity.

Once the silver leaf has been applied, the meticulous process of layering lacquer enriched with natural pigments begins, creating the rich, intense color gradients that define our dials. Approximately twelve successive layers are individually applied, dried and polished, imparting exceptional brilliance, protection and an almost infinite sense of visual depth to each dial.

A Unique Work of Art.

This entire process, requiring patience, dexterity and intense concentration, transforms each dial into a one-of-a-kind creation that subtly evolves with the changing light, reflecting our deep commitment to craftsmanship and creativity.

A true meeting of tradition and modernity, Sơn Mài – Silver Leaf elevates Vietnamese craftsmanship to the realm of fine watchmaking, endowing each timepiece with a visual intensity unlike that achieved through any other technique.

Exclusive Luminescent Signature.

The Sơn Mài – Silver Leaf collection features our exclusive “Chiaroscuro” luminous signature, conceived to bring together innovation, elegance and emotion while enhancing the depth of the dials, both by day and by night. The hands and hour markers feature an innovative construction combining Super-LumiNova® BGW9 with polished, brushed and intricately sculpted steel caps, allowing light to diffuse subtly while ensuring excellent legibility without compromising the dial's aesthetic integrity. 

By day, discretion takes precedence, while in darkness, the luminescence reveals its full intensity. A soft, delicate halo of light emerges, enhancing the depth of the lacquer and the shimmering reflections of the silver leaf, creating an immersive atmosphere of light and shadow, where technical mastery and emotion come together.

A Concentrate of Watchmaking Pleasure.

Unique, handcrafted Métiers d’Art dials incorporating pure silver leaf, an exclusive and innovative luminous signature, a renowned Swiss calibre, and straps handcrafted in France. True to our vision, we work relentlessly to deliver, within our price segment, a truly distinctive offering that brings together aesthetic excellence, horological quality, artisanal craftsmanship, and pure emotion. Quite simply, the Sơn Mài - Silver Leaf collection stands in a class of its own.

Technical details

Case:

316L stainless steel, Ø38mm, lug-to-lug 44.75 mm, lug width 20mm

Thickness:

11.50mm with top lens / 10mm without top lens

Métier d'Art dial:

Each dial requires 15 hours of work. Entirely handcrafted using two centuries-old artisanal techniques brought together in watchmaking for the very first time by Awake: silver leaf gilding and traditional Vietnamese Sơn Mài lacquer

Hour Markers and Hands:

Super-LumiNova® BGW9, featuring Awake's exclusive “Chiaroscuro” luminous signature

Water resistance:

10 ATM (100 m), with push-in crown

New 38 mm Case.

The Sơn Mài – Silver Leaf collection now features our 38 mm case, distinguished by its more refined proportions and understated yet distinctive elegance. Perfectly balanced, its design captivates with a polished bezel featuring concave contours that allow the dial to take centre stage, a gently domed sapphire crystal and subtly downward-curving lugs, extended by a delicate stepped detail that evokes the aesthetics of the 1960s while maintaining a distinctly contemporary character.

The interplay of contrasting polished surfaces and brushed case flanks highlights this carefully considered modernity, while the subtly resized push-in crown now bears a new emblem symbolizing our commitment to craftsmanship. On the reverse, a redesigned retaining ring, featuring clearer, more authentic engravings, gives tangible expression to this vision.

New Brand Identity.

The Sơn Mài – Silver Leaf collection now also embraces our recently unveiled visual identity, reimagined through a handwritten logo with fluid, organic lines that pay tribute to the gestures of artisans. More than a purely aesthetic evolution, this new logo reflects a deeper ambition: to place tradition, craftsmanship and Métiers d’Art at the heart of a contemporary expression.

Accompanied by an emblem symbolizing the passing down of knowledge and dialogue between cultures, this new identity embodies a thoughtful and deeply committed vision, where every detail celebrates the richness of artisanal heritage and our determination to preserve it for future generations.

Swiss G101 Caliber by La Joux-Perret.

Beyond their unique dials, the Sơn Mài – Silver Leaf watches are powered by the Swiss made La Joux-Perret G101 calibre, offering a 68-hour power reserve. The movement features a high standard of finishing, combining polished, brushed and micro-blasted surfaces, alongside a newly designed oscillating weight machined from a solid block of tungsten.

Surrounding the movement is a completely redesigned ring engraved with Awake's mission: “Illuminating the hands and heritage behind rare crafts” alongside the brand's guiding philosophy: “Artisanship, Awakened”.

Handmade Straps and New Fitwell Micro-Adjust pin buckle.

To further enhance this "Gentian Blue" version, we have collaborated with the Jean Rousseau manufacture, which shares our exacting standards of quality, comfort, and customer experience. These straps are designed for everyday wear and handcrafted in blue alcantara - a remarkable material that will develop a unique patina over time, revealing its full character. Meticulously designed down to the finest detail, they combine refined finishing, colored stitching, and a rubberized calfskin lining, while integrating curved spring bars tailored to the 38 mm case for a perfect fit.

They are fitted with our new Fitwell Micro-Adjust pin buckle, offering precise 3 mm incremental adjustments for optimal comfort throughout the day. A technical yet refined ensemble, designed for discerning enthusiasts, where every detail enhances the everyday wearing experience.