Awake is expanding its highly acclaimed Son Mai collection with the introduction of three captivating new variants: Frosted Leaf Storm, Blood Moon, and Lagoon. These additions build upon the brand’s innovative approach to haute horlogerie, seamlessly blending Swiss watchmaking precision with the intricate artistry of Vietnamese Son Mai lacquer. This expansion signifies a continued commitment by Awake to explore and elevate traditional Asian decorative arts within the luxury watch sector, offering discerning collectors unique pieces that are both technically sophisticated and visually arresting.
A Legacy of Lacquer and Silver: The Evolution of the Son Mai Collection
The Son Mai collection, which debuted with a focus on Vietnamese silver leaf dials, has quickly established itself as a signature offering for Awake. The "Frosted Leaf" concept, first introduced in 2025, marked a pivotal moment for the French watchmaker, representing a deliberate pivot towards a more permanent and artistically driven product line. Initially presented with dials in blue, green, and moka, the collection later saw the celebrated release of the "Royal Red" and "Royal Blue" versions. Each iteration showcased a unique mastery of lacquer application, demonstrating a nuanced understanding of color depth and texture.
The core innovation of the Son Mai collection lies in its harmonious fusion of two distinct artisanal traditions. The painstaking process of Vietnamese Son Mai lacquerwork, renowned for its depth, luminosity, and intricate layering, is combined with the delicate application of pure silver leaf. This not only creates dials of exceptional visual complexity but also imbues each timepiece with a unique tactile and aesthetic quality. The resulting dials are not merely decorative elements; they are miniature works of art, reflecting the brand’s dedication to craftsmanship and heritage. The introduction of these new colorways underscores Awake’s ongoing exploration of this rich artistic heritage, pushing the boundaries of what is possible in contemporary watch dial design.
Refined Proportions and Enhanced Durability: The 38mm Case Evolution
A significant development accompanying these new models is the adoption of Awake’s recently introduced 38mm case. This refined dimension represents a slight but impactful reduction in size compared to the original 39mm case of the initial Frosted Leaf models. The 38mm diameter, coupled with a 44.75mm lug-to-lug measurement and a slim 11.5mm thickness (10mm excluding the crystal), ensures a more contemporary and comfortable fit on a wider range of wrists. This deliberate sizing adjustment reflects a keen understanding of current watch industry trends and consumer preferences for elegantly proportioned timepieces.
Beyond its dimensions, the stainless-steel case has been meticulously engineered for both aesthetic appeal and functional resilience. It features a sophisticated interplay of polished surfaces that catch the light, contrasted with satin-finished sides that provide a subtler, more understated elegance. The slightly curved sapphire crystal not only enhances the visual appeal but also offers superior scratch resistance and clarity. Further bolstering the watch’s robustness, a screw-down crown and caseback are incorporated, significantly increasing the water resistance to a robust 100 meters. This enhanced durability makes the Son Mai Frosted Leaf models suitable for a broader range of daily activities, bridging the gap between haute horlogerie and practical everyday wear.
Adding a touch of personalized artistry, these new watches also proudly display Awake’s new handwritten logo. This subtle yet significant design element perfectly complements the inherently handmade nature of the Son Mai dials, reinforcing the brand’s commitment to artisanal creation and adding a personal touch that resonates with the collection’s ethos.
A Spectrum of Natural Inspiration: The New Dial Colorways
The three new variants, Frosted Leaf Storm, Blood Moon, and Lagoon, draw their inspiration from the dramatic beauty of the natural world, translating these powerful visual themes into the intricate art of lacquerwork.
The Son Mai Frosted Leaf Storm presents a striking composition of deep black and vibrant orange. This duality evokes the raw energy of a tempest, with swirling dark clouds punctuated by flashes of fiery light. The interplay of these colors creates a dynamic and visually engaging dial that captures the intensity of a storm.
The Blood Moon variant offers a more brooding yet equally captivating aesthetic. It features a rich, deep red that seamlessly transitions into an inky black. This combination conjures the image of a lunar eclipse, a celestial event of profound beauty and mystery. The dark, velvety tones are both luxurious and evocative, creating a dial that is both sophisticated and subtly powerful.
Finally, the Son Mai Frosted Leaf Lagoon transports the wearer to tranquil, azure depths. This design employs harmonious layers of blue and green, reminiscent of tropical waters. The subtle gradients and shifts in color evoke the shimmering surfaces of a serene lagoon, offering a sense of calm and natural beauty.
Each of these dials is a testament to the intricate and time-consuming Son Mai lacquer process. The creation involves multiple layers of high-quality lacquer, meticulously applied alongside natural pigments and pure silver leaf. This complex layering technique, often referred to as "millefeuille" construction, requires approximately 15 hours of dedicated craftsmanship per dial. The result is a dial with unparalleled depth, luminosity, and a unique frosted texture that gives the collection its name.
The hands and indexes are equally thoughtfully designed to enhance legibility and visual appeal. They are crafted from polished, brushed, and faceted steel, a combination that offers a sophisticated play of light. Crucially, these elements are treated with Super-LumiNova BGW9, a highly regarded luminous material. The application of lume is also innovative, featuring a "coiffe" design that allows the glow to emanate from underneath the hands and indexes, rather than simply sitting on top. This creates a diffused, ethereal luminescence that enhances legibility in low-light conditions while maintaining the dial’s artistic integrity. This unique luminous signature is referred to by Awake as "Chiaroscuro," highlighting the interplay of light and shadow.
Swiss Precision: The La Joux-Perret G101 Movement
Powering these exquisite timepieces is the robust and reliable La Joux-Perret G101 automatic movement. This Swiss-made calibre is a proven workhorse, celebrated for its precision, durability, and impressive performance. Operating at a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour (4Hz), it ensures accurate timekeeping. A standout feature is its substantial 68-hour power reserve, offering the wearer considerable autonomy between winding.
The movement is visible through a sapphire crystal caseback, allowing enthusiasts to appreciate its intricate finishing and engineering. Awake has further enhanced the visual appeal of the movement by fitting a custom-designed tungsten rotor. This rotor showcases a sophisticated blend of polished, brushed, and bead-blasted finishes, adding a layer of bespoke luxury to the movement’s architecture. The engraved and decorated rehaut further contributes to the overall aesthetic refinement visible through the caseback.
The choice of La Joux-Perret, a respected independent movement manufacturer, aligns with Awake’s commitment to utilizing high-quality Swiss watchmaking components. This partnership underscores the brand’s dedication to delivering timepieces that excel not only in artistic expression but also in technical excellence and long-term reliability.
Artisanal Comfort and Enduring Value: Straps, Production, and Pricing
Each of the new Son Mai Frosted Leaf models is presented on a handmade strap from Maison Bouveret, a renowned artisan strap maker. The nubuck calfskin straps are meticulously color-matched to their respective dials – orange for the Storm, red for the Blood Moon, and blue for the Lagoon. They feature a rubberised calfskin lining for enhanced comfort and durability, along with tone-on-tone stitching that seamlessly integrates with the strap’s aesthetic. A significant upgrade is the inclusion of a new micro-adjustable ardillon buckle from Fitwell, offering precise and effortless adjustment for a perfect fit. The straps are fitted with curved quick-release spring bars, facilitating easy interchangeability. The lug width for all models is 20mm.
These Frosted Leaf watches are not limited editions but are integral to Awake’s permanent collection. To maintain the exclusivity and artisanal quality associated with each piece, production is capped at approximately 100 pieces per year for each variant. This controlled production ensures that each watch receives the meticulous attention it deserves throughout its creation.
The Son Mai Frosted Leaf Storm, Blood Moon, and Lagoon are priced at EUR 2,820, inclusive of taxes and shipping. This pricing positions these highly artistic and technically proficient timepieces as competitive offerings within the luxury watch market, particularly considering the labor-intensive dial creation process and the use of a Swiss automatic movement. Deliveries are scheduled to commence in the last week of September 2026, allowing eager collectors to anticipate the arrival of these exceptional watches.
A Broader Impact on the Luxury Watch Landscape
The continued evolution of Awake’s Son Mai collection, particularly with the introduction of these new colorways and the refined 38mm case, speaks volumes about the brand’s strategic vision. By consistently integrating complex Asian artisanal techniques with established Swiss watchmaking principles, Awake is carving out a unique niche in the global luxury watch market. This approach not only appeals to collectors seeking horological innovation but also to those with an appreciation for diverse cultural art forms.
The success of the Son Mai collection suggests a growing appetite among consumers for timepieces that offer more than just timekeeping functionality. There is a clear demand for watches that tell a story, that are born from a confluence of traditions, and that represent a significant investment in skilled craftsmanship. Awake’s ability to consistently deliver on this front positions them as a forward-thinking brand capable of shaping future trends.
Furthermore, the emphasis on traditional lacquerwork and silver leaf application by a European brand highlights a positive trend towards cross-cultural collaboration and appreciation in the luxury sector. This not only supports artisans in traditional crafts but also introduces these exquisite techniques to a wider international audience, fostering a greater understanding and respect for global artistic heritage. As the watch industry continues to evolve, brands like Awake, which masterfully blend heritage with innovation, are poised for sustained success and influence.
Technical Specifications
- Case: 38mm diameter x 44.75mm lug-to-lug x 11.5mm thickness (10mm without glass) – 316L stainless-steel case – polished surfaces and satin-finished sides – AR sapphire crystal – screw-down crown and sapphire caseback – 100m water resistance.
- Dial: Black and orange (Storm), black and red (Blood Moon), and blue and green (Lagoon) – handmade Son Mai Vietnamese lacquer dial – natural pigments and pure silver leaf – approximately 15 hours of work per dial – delicate "millefeuille" construction – exclusive "Chiaroscuro" luminous signature – Super-LumiNova BGW9 with polished, brushed, and faceted steel hands and indexes – luminous "coiffe" for diffused light and enhanced legibility.
- Movement: La Joux-Perret G101 – automatic – 28,800vph (4hz) – 68-hour power reserve – custom tungsten rotor with polished, brushed, and bead-blasted finishes – engraved and decorated rehaut.
- Strap: Orange (Storm), red (Blood Moon), and blue (Lagoon) – handmade Maison Bouveret nubuck calfskin – rubberised calfskin lining – tone-on-tone stitching – curved quick-release spring bars – Fitwell M1 micro-adjustment ardillon buckle – 20mm lug width.
- Availability: Permanent collection – around 100 pieces per year for each version – deliveries from the last week of September 2026.
- Price: EUR 2,820, incl. taxes and shipping.
For further information, please visit awakewatches.com.
