AWAKE, a visionary in the world of independent watchmaking, unveils its first permanent collection, celebrating an impressive fusion of cultural artistry and horological craftsmanship. The Sơn Mài collection, a tribute to the age-old Vietnamese art form, introduces four stunning 39mm Métiers d’Art watches that redefine the boundaries of watchmaking.
A Unique Métiers d’Art Fusion
In an unprecedented move, AWAKE unites two distinct Métiers d’Art techniques: the Vietnamese art of sanded lacquer, known as Sơn Mài, and silver leaf gilding, to create breathtaking dials. Each handcrafted dial, a masterpiece in its own right, involves 10 to 15 hours of meticulous work. This groundbreaking approach offers a masterpiece at an extraordinary value, priced under 2,000 euros.
Marriage of Tradition and Innovation
AWAKE’s Sơn Mài collection marks the brand’s first foray into Swiss Made excellence. The collection features redesigned cases, Swiss movements from the renowned La Joux-Perret, and luminescent signatures inspired by Japanese chiaroscuro aesthetics. The collection embodies the perfect synthesis of French creativity, Swiss precision, and Vietnamese art.
The Art of Sơn Mài
Sơn Mài, a cherished art form in Vietnam, involves layering and polishing natural lacquer, enriched with crushed eggshells, gold, silver leaf, and mother-of-pearl, creating a lustrous and multi-dimensional finish. AWAKE collaborates with Hanoi’s prestigious lacquer atelier, Hanoia, to craft these exquisite dials, ensuring each is a unique work of art.
Diverse Color Palette
The Sơn Mài collection features four vibrant hues:
- Outre Bleu – A calming deep blue symbolizing tranquility and wisdom.
- Lava – A striking red emblematic of strength and passion.
- Emerald – A soothing green connecting with nature, symbolizing life and renewal.
- Amethyst – A mystical purple balancing tranquility and intensity.
Innovative Luminous Design
Departing from convention, AWAKE implements a unique luminous signature using Super-LumiNova® BGW9. Hands and indexes are crafted for backlighting effects, adding depth and elegance to the lacquered dials, enhancing readability while maintaining aesthetic harmony.
The Movement and Craftsmanship
Powered by the automatic La Joux-Perret G101 movement with a 68-hour power reserve, the collection ensures reliability and precision. A custom-designed tungsten rotor accentuates the mechanical beauty, housed within a recycled 316L stainless steel case that embodies modern aesthetic with timeless elegance.
Conclusion
The AWAKE Sơn Mài collection is a testament to artistic ingenuity and innovative watchmaking. AWAKE artfully bridges cultural heritage and modern craftsmanship, creating a captivating collection that invites wearers to explore a mesmerizing blend of tradition and style. Available for pre-order, this collection is poised to captivate connoisseurs worldwide.
Lilian Thibault – Founder of AWAKE
An entrepreneur at heart, Lilian THIBAULT, 47, has been imagining inspiring, creative and philosophical watchmaking through AWAKE for the past 5 years. More than a project, it’s the culmination of a personal approach, nourished by passion and his vision of the world, which he expresses and shares through his watches and the story they tell.
A history of passion
Lilian’s fascination for watchmaking began shortly after he started working. Hyperactive in soul, he sees the watch as a symbol of the inexorable passage of time, oscillating between the desire to master it and the acceptance of its elusiveness. For him, the watch is the mirror of this complex relationship with time, acting as a reminder of the fugacity of our existence and the need to make the best possible use of it in order to realize our full potential.
Beyond its philosophical dimension, the watch also embodies, in his eyes, the most meticulous of human achievements, driven by passion and challenge. Fascinated by micro-mechanics, the perpetual quest for precision and complication, Lilian is also driven by a constant concern for detail. A lover of Métiers d’Art and handwork, which elevate the craftsman to the level of artist and constitute a cultural heritage that must be encouraged, he has made it his mission to convey its beauty and poetry in his collections.
Thus, after 20 years spent building his personal collection, Lilian decided in 2018 to found his own brand, with the desire to create modern watches reinterpreting the codes of watchmaking tradition, adopting an original and authentic approach.
“The watch is not only a tool for measuring Time, it reminds us of its constant evolution and provisional nature. Defying the ephemeral and the disposable, the watch embodies passion and excellence more than ever.”
Lilian THIBAULT
AWAKE Sơn Mài Collection Technical Specifications
Product Ref : Son Mai – Silver Leaf + dial color
Retail price: 1950 EUR / 2150 USD / 1650 GPB / 1850 CHF – excluding taxes and shipping.
Movement
- Automatic La Joux-Perret G101.
- Power reserve: 68 hours.
- Decoration: Customized tungsten rotor, alternating hollows and reliefs with brushed, bead-blasted and polished finishes.
Case
- Recycled 316L stainless steel
- Diameter: 39mm
- Lug to lug distance: 45.6mm
- Lug width: 20mm
- Water resistance: 5 ATM (50m)
- Thickness: 11.80mm with crystal / 10.90mm without crystal
- Crystal: Sapphire, anti-reflective coating
- Caseback: Screw-in caseback, sapphire crystal
Dial
- Métier d’Art dials: 4 colors ( ‘Lava’ / ‘Emerald’ / ‘Outre Bleu’ / ‘Amethyst’ ). Handcrafted using two ancestral Vietnamese techniques: “Son Mai” sanded lacquer and pure silver leaf gilding.
- Indexes and hands: Super-LumiNova® BGW9, AWAKE luminous “coiffe” signature.
Strap:
- DELUGS for AWAKE – nubuck, grey rubber-lined and stitched; 115 mm x 70mm / 20-16 mm; Recycled 316L stainless steel pin buckle.
Warranty: 3 years international / Watch Certificate digital passport for Awake
Founded in January 2019 by Lilian Thibault, AWAKE is a pioneering French watch brand, rooted in the heart of Paris. The brand’s mission is clear: to showcase the natural beauty of the world through the timeless symbol of a watch. AWAKE quickly distinguished itself with innovative collections like “Mission to Earth,” in collaboration with NASA, and “Time Travelers,” as well as the more recent “Dare & Dream,” co-designed with French artist Nicolas Barrome Forgues. 2024 marks the fifth anniversary of AWAKE—a milestone celebrated with a refreshed visual identity, featuring a new logo and the launch of its first permanent, Swiss Made collection, “Son Mai.” This new line serves as a testament to the brand’s evolution, bridging traditional Vietnamese craftsmanship with Swiss watchmaking prowess. It underscores AWAKE’s ongoing dedication to redefining the boundaries of design and watchmaking innovation.
With an avant-garde and sustainable approach, AWAKE continues to be a beacon of inspiration in the world of contemporary watchmaking. The brand’s emblem, “Genesis,” symbolizes the four natural elements—air, earth, water, and fire—intertwined in harmony, embodying the balance between innovation, tradition, and environmental respect that drives every AWAKE creation.