A younger French model, Awake Watches was based by Lilian Thibault in 2019 with the concept to lift consciousness of our planet’s restricted sources. From there, the model diversified with NASA-themed fashions or watches with a dial impressed by the pure geometry of a sunflower. Final 12 months, Awake launched Son Mài, its first everlasting assortment comprised of 4 time-only references illustrating the artwork of ancestral Vietnamese sanded lacquer paired with the applying of pure silver leaf gilding. Based mostly on this extra compelling idea, the model now releases a brand new tackle the Asian métiers d’artwork, with the Sơn Mài “Frosted Leaf” Assortment.
Right here, we’re 3 restricted editions which might be based mostly on the present (and everlasting) Sơn Mài vary. As such, the fundamentals are similar. The case, manufactured from recycled stainless-steel, gave a brand new id to Awake with its 39mm diameter, quick curving lugs and a thickness of 10.9mm with out the sapphire crystal (11.8mm with crystal). The rounded bezel and prime floor of the lugs are brightly polished, and a large polished chamfer stretches from lug to lug demarcating the enticing, rounded profile of the case, with brushed flanks. Water resistant to 50m, it options sapphire crystals on either side and already proved comfy on the wrist.
Contained in the case, Awake gave its Sơn Mài assortment Swiss energy, changing the Miyota actions with an automated La Joux-Perret G101. This three-hand motion assembled in La Chaux-de-Fonds runs at a 4Hz frequency and delivers a strong 68-hour energy reserve. The motion, classically embellished with Geneva stripes and a customized tungsten rotor, is framed by a laser-engraved “Clous de Paris” motif ring, marked with the restricted version quantity. All three Son Mai Frosted Leaf editions are delivered on a light-weight gray nubuck leather-based strap lined with rubber (20–16mm) made by Delugs, with quick-release spring bars.
Let’s now transfer to what makes these Son Mai Frosted Leaf completely different from the basic assortment. Right here once more, the dials are carried out utilizing conventional Vietnamese métiers d’artwork strategies. All of it begins with sap from the Rhus Verniciflua tree in northern Vietnam, whose good pure lacquer kinds the bottom of every dial. Grasp lacquerers first apply black pigments, adopted by a layer of pure silver leaf, hand-sanded to disclose the preliminary textures. Subsequent comes a veil of darkish pigments, earlier than the important thing step in our unique method, Frosted Leaf. In contrast to conventional dials, a second layer of silver is added right here, then lined with lighter pigments. This layered materials is then finger-sanded to disclose buried layers, creating effects of depth and light-weight which might be distinctive to every piece. Lastly, a number of coats of lacquer are patiently utilized, sanded, and polished to lock in a timeless shine. It’s, altogether, a 15-hour course of per dial.
The Awake Son Mai Frosted Leaf is out there in three colors – blue, inexperienced and moka – paying tribute to oceans, forests, and fertile lands. Then, Awake provides its signature fingers and utilized markers. As an alternative of making use of lume to the highest surfaces of the fingers and indices, Awake reverts the system. The fingers and indices are produced from a skinny, stable base of SLN BGW9, machined after which capped with a faceted, polished metal overlay, functioning like a backlight.
Accessible from the model and its retailers, the brand new Awake Son Mai Frosted Leaf assortment is proscribed to 50 items per colourway. The worth is EUR 2,150 (excl. taxes) and the watches could be ordered at awakewatches.com.
