September 17 2025

Awake Paints Time With Silver: The Son Mai Vignette Collection

MRSTATELESS AWAKE, NEW RELEASES 2025, Enamel, Limited Edition 0

French independent watch brand marks a new chapter in its journey with the release of a striking series of permanent models. Known for its sustainability-driven philosophy since its founding in 2019, Awake has taken a refined turn from its early space-themed creations to embrace intricate traditional craftsmanship. The new Vignette series showcases the brand’s dedication to artistry and innovation, spotlighting the centuries-old Vietnamese Sơn Mài lacquer technique infused with pure silver leaf.

Ancient Craft, Modern Expression

The defining feature of the Son Mai Silver Leaf Vignette watches lies in their dials, meticulously crafted using Vietnam’s renowned Sơn Mài

lacquer art. This heritage technique uses the sap of the Rhus verniciflua tree, which is purified and applied in multiple ultra-thin layers. Each dial begins with a sanded lacquer base before delicate sheets of pure silver leaf are hand-applied. Natural pigments are then misted across the surface, followed by over a dozen layers of transparent lacquer, each individually polished to achieve a deep, mirror-like finish.

For this new collection, Awake introduces a gradient “vignette” effect, adding visual depth to the shimmering textures of silver leaf. Four vivid colourways—Ultra Violet, Palladium, Carmine Red, and Moonlight Blue—form the core permanent range, while a limited “Golden Hour” edition (100 pieces) brings glowing tones of red, orange, and yellow.

Refined Case and Mechanical Heart

The watches maintain the 39 mm case size introduced in the original Son Mai series. Crafted from recycled stainless steel, the case features brushed flanks, polished upper surfaces, and a wide bezel framing a scratch-resistant, anti-reflective sapphire crystal. The exhibition caseback reveals a Swiss-made La Joux-Perret automatic movement with a robust 68-hour power reserve, complete with a custom rotor and surrounded by a micro-blasted steel ring.

Luminous Design Details

Functionality matches artistry on the dial. Instead of applying lume on top of the hands and indices, Awake integrates them from within: both elements are built from solid blocks of Super-LumiNova BGW9, capped with faceted polished steel overlays. This design creates a unique backlit glow, enhancing legibility while preserving the sculptural beauty of the dial.

Straps and Availability

Each watch is paired with a strap handcrafted in France from nubuck bull calfskin or suede, further emphasizing the brand’s commitment to artisanal quality. The Ultra Violet, Palladium, Carmine Red, and Moonlight Blue versions are now part of Awake’s permanent collection, while the Golden Hour edition is strictly limited to 100 pieces.

All models are priced at € 2,000 (before taxes) and are available through Awake’s online boutique and authorized retailers.