Not all images were able to load for printing. Please close the print window and try again. Awake Brings new Vignette Dials and a 38mm Case to the Son Mai Silver Leaf
A popular collection enters a new chapter with four gradient dials and a recently redesigned case, still offering the brand's distinctive Vietnamese lacquer craftsmanship.
Founded in 2019, French independent brand Awake is now quite well known for its creativity, craftsmanship, and thoughtful approach to watchmaking. After its early space-inspired Mission to Earth watches, the brand moved in a more sophisticated direction in 2024 with the introduction of the Son Mai Silver Leaf collection, which brought a genuine métier d’art to an accessible price point. Now, Awake revisits the collection with four new Vignette dials and a redesigned case.
The Updated 38mm case
The series adopts a redesigned 38mm stainless steel case, and the Son Mai Silver Leaf now offers the more compact proportions introduced earlier this year with the brand’s Guilloché collection. The 316L steel case measures 44.75mm from lug to lug and is 11.5mm thick with the anti-reflective sapphire crystal, or 10mm without it. Another sapphire crystal in the screw-down caseback reveals the automatic movement. Water resistance is 100m. The caseback ring is engraved with the brand’s mission, “Illuminating the hands and heritage behind rare crafts”, alongside “Artisanship, Awakened”.
The dial is made by combining silver leaf gilding with Son Mai lacquer. The technique involves applying delicate sheets of silver leaf over a prepared lacquer base, before adding coloured pigments. With about twelve successive layers of natural lacquer, each layer is sanded and polished individually.
The return of the Vignette Dials
For these new editions, Awake introduces four gradient Vignette colours inspired by the aesthetic of 1970s and 1980s watchmaking. Indian Red offers deep, warm red tones, while Java Green explores a spectrum of greens. Gentian Blue brings a serene mix of blue shades, and Purple Viola is the boldest one. The first three join the permanent collection, while Purple Viola is a numbered limited edition of 200 pieces. Production of the permanent colours will be limited to a maximum of 100 dials per year, per colour.
The hands and applied hour markers also retain Awake’s unusual “construction”. The brand uses solid BGW9 luminous bases topped with small, sculpted steel caps. These caps conceal the luminous material during daylight, which then emits a subtle halo in darkness.
The La Joux-Perret G101 automatic calibre, an alternative to the ETA 2824, powers the series. Operating at 28,800 vibrations/hour, it provides a 68-hour power reserve. The exhibition caseback reveals a tungsten oscillating weight, machined from a solid block and decorated with alternating recessed and raised surfaces, with brushed, micro-blasted and polished finishes.
Straps, Availability & Price
For the straps, Awake partners with French leather specialists Maison Jean Rousseau and Bouveret. Available in Alcantara or nubuck, they are lined with rubberised calfskin and feature curved quick-release spring bars. The pin buckle offers micro-adjustment, allowing the wearer to fine-tune the fit by up to 3mm. Green, grey, blue and red options are available, depending on the model. All versions are priced at EUR 2,640, including VAT, and are now available for order. For more information, please visit awakewatches.com.
