Awake's Son Mai Silver Leaf 'Atlantis Blue' Limited Edition Watch

Awake, an emerging independent brand based in Paris, has unveiled a distinctive limited edition timepiece, the 'Atlantis Blue,' as an extension of its Son Mai Silver Leaf series. This collection is renowned for its commitment to environmental responsibility and its embrace of traditional Vietnamese craftsmanship. The new model, limited to 100 pieces, showcases a meticulously hand-lacquered dial, a product of the ancient Son Mai technique, integrated with a contemporary design philosophy. It represents a harmonious blend of cultural heritage and modern watchmaking, driven by a high-performance La Joux-Perret automatic movement.

Established in 2019 by Lilian Thibault, Awake has consistently championed sustainable practices within the watch industry. The Son Mai collection, first launched in 2024, stands as a testament to this ethos. Its dials are not merely aesthetic elements but are intricate works of art, produced by skilled Vietnamese artisans. Thibault's foresight in adopting the Son Mai lacquer art, discovered in 2008, has positioned Awake as a pioneer in incorporating this rich cultural technique into horology, creating timepieces that are both visually stunning and ethically produced.

The creation of each Son Mai dial is a labor-intensive process, involving master lacquerers from Hanoia, Vietnam's esteemed atelier. Fine silver leaf is carefully applied to the dial's base, followed by numerous layers of lacquer. This intricate layering process, coupled with the silver leaf, contributes to a subtle texture that emerges from beneath the glossy surface. Each layer requires meticulous drying, hardening, sanding, and mirror-polishing, extending the production time for a single dial to between 10 and 15 hours. This artisanal approach ensures that every dial possesses a unique character, with no two being exactly alike.

The 'Atlantis Blue' model distinguishes itself with a captivating blue-green gradient dial. This hue transitions from a lighter center to a deeper, more saturated periphery, evoking the mysterious depths of the mythical city of Atlantis. The color choice not only enhances the watch's aesthetic appeal but also subtly reinforces its connection to nature and the environment.

Beyond its exquisite dial, the watch features an innovative luminous display. Instead of traditional application methods, the hands and indices are fashioned from a robust SLN BGW9 base, which is then machined and capped with faceted, polished steel overlays. This design creates a dramatic backlight effect, with light radiating from beneath the indicators, enhancing readability and adding a contemporary edge to the classic design.

In line with Awake's dedication to sustainability, the 39mm case, with a thickness of 11.8mm, is crafted from recycled stainless steel. It features a sophisticated finish with polished surfaces and brushed flanks. The screw-down caseback is adorned with a laser-engraved, microbeaded ring, bearing the watch's name, adding a touch of refined detail. The timepiece is powered by a La Joux-Perret G101 automatic movement, operating at 4Hz and offering a substantial 68-hour power reserve. The customized tungsten rotor is elegantly decorated with brushed, sandblasted, and microbeaded finishes, featuring the inscription 'La Joux-Perret pour Awake' and the brand's logo in relief.

Completing the ensemble is a French handcrafted Peacock blue suede strap, perfectly matched to the dial's color, secured with a recycled steel pin buckle. The 'Atlantis Blue' is a highly exclusive offering, with the first allocation of 50 pieces slated for release in April, followed by a second batch in May. This limited edition not only offers a unique aesthetic but also reinforces Awake's mission to merge ethical production with sophisticated horology, providing discerning collectors with a truly special timepiece.