Awake expands its Son Mai – Silver Leaf collection with the new Atlantis Blue. 4 additional versions are also available in the Sơn Mài – Silver Leaf collection: Red Carmine, Moonlight Blue, Palladium, Ultra Violet.
Press Release information with commentary in italics.
New: Awake Sơn Mài Atlantis Blue
The Awake Sơn Mài Atlantis Blue retails at EUR 2,000 excluding taxes. Limited edition of 100 pieces delivered in two batches: the first 50 in April 2026, and the other 50 in May 2026.
Commentary
We were first aware of Awake when they release their Year of the SSnake watch, with interesting dials which showcase artisanal techniques. They did this with a very traditional Vietnamese lacquerware technique known as Sơn Mài, but produced by artisans in Scotland. The Ssnake had the dial with a motif of the scales of the snake. They repeated this another series which they call Fragments, also using the same Sơn Mài technique but this time combined with the mother of pearl with the Japanese technique of Raden.
With this novelty, they expanded the Silver Leaf collection with a gradient dial which captivates the colours inspired by the depths of the mythical Atlantis. The lustre and texture looks superb.
The movement remains the same La Joux-Perret automatic with a power reserve of 68 hours.
At a price point of EUR 2k, we find this combination of a métiers d’art dial, with recycled steel case and a La Joux-Perret movement to be rather compelling.
Release information
AWAKE expands its Son Mai – Silver Leaf collection with a new creation: Atlantis Blue, a limited edition of 100 pieces, inspired by what remains one of humanity’s greatest mysteries: Atlantis.
Suspended between light and darkness, myth and reality, the colors and textures of the Atlantis Blue “Vignette” dial evoke the depths of the ocean and the exploration of the abyss, a realm that has always stood as a captivating frontier for humankind.
KEY INFORMATION
- AWAKE expands its Sơn Mài – Silver Leaf collection with a new limited edition of 100 pieces: Atlantis Blue.
- Fully handcrafted dial with gradient effects reminiscent of the iconic “Vignette” dials of the 1970s and 1980s.
- Captivating colors inspired by the depths of the ocean and the myth of Atlantis.
- Exclusive luminous signature enhancing the dial’s depth and highlighting the meticulous craftsmanship of the Master Lacquerers of Hanoi.
- Movement developed by the manufacturer La Joux-Perret, renowned for its reliability and 68-hour power reserve, elevated by a finely finished tungsten oscillating weight.
- Suede leather straps, handcrafted in Franche-Comté, the cradle of French watchmaking.
PRESERVE, INNOVATE, TRANSMIT
At AWAKE, the vision of the Arts and Crafts extends far beyond the realm of watchmaking. Each creation is conceived as a space for cultural expression, an opportunity to showcase ancestral expertise while interpreting it through a contemporary lens. Within the tiny confines of a dial, the brand seeks to transcend borders, celebrate cultural identities, and foster a different relationship with time: slower, more mindful, and more respectful of both craft and material.
INSPIRATION.
The Atlantis Blue dial invites you to dive into the still-unexplored depths of the oceans, discovering submerged worlds inhabited by mysterious creatures and secret battles. An ode to the Atlanteans, the humanoid beings capable of breathing underwater, and to the myth of Atlantis, which remains one of the greatest mysteries of our world, captivating explorers and historians alike for centuries.
EXPANDING THE SON MAI – SILVER LEAF COLLECTION
Atlantis Blue enriches the Sơn Mài – Silver Leaf collection, celebrated for its smoky-gradient dials that draw the eye to the center by creating strong contrast with the edges, reminiscent of the iconic “Vignette” dials of the 1970s and 1980s. This entirely handcrafted technique, exclusive to the brand, combines Vietnamese lacquer, pure silver leaf, and natural pigments, reflecting a constant pursuit of technical and creative excellence in our Artistic Crafts.
4 additional versions are also available in the Sơn Mài – Silver Leaf collection: Red Carmine, Moonlight Blue, Palladium, Ultra Violet.
TRANSFORMING LIMITATIONS INTO ART
The term “Vignette,” borrowed from photography and optics, originally referred to a lens defect reducing peripheral light, leaving the center brighter. Transposed to our dials, this aesthetic becomes a strength: unique depth and chromatic intensity. Each dial reveals a captivating visual effect through subtle color transitions, achieved by layering multiple pigments and carefully applying lacquer. Crafting a single dial requires over ten hours of focused work to achieve the desired visual and emotional impact.
UNIQUE COLORS AND TEXTURES
For this new Atlantis Blue edition, our Master Lacquerers have one more time pushed the boundaries of their craft. They developed hypnotic and bold new colors to bring our creative vision to life and perfected a new way to combine and layer lacquer, silver leaf, and pigments with precision, to achieve a unique result !
The dials of Atlantis Blue reveal striking textures and gradients, symbolizing the transition from clear, comforting waters to the mysterious darkness of the deep. Between light and shadow, myth and reality, these dials capture the light, irresistibly drawing the eye to their center and sparking the imagination.
Batch 1: 50 pieces – April 2026 / Batch 2: 50 pieces – May 2026.
EXCLUSIVE LUMINESCENT SIGNATURE
Oscillating between light and darkness, between the real world and imagined realms, the dials of Atlantis Blue feature AWAKE’s exclusive luminous signature. Both innovative and technical, it draws inspiration from the Japanese aesthetic of chiaroscuro and its play of light, which preserves the mystery of objects.
Departing from traditional construction methods, AWAKE’s hands and indices are crafted on a thin yet robust Super-LumiNova® BGW9 base, meticulously machined and then coated with a layer of polished, faceted steel. This unique design appears subtle and refined in daylight, yet transforms spectacularly in the dark, thanks to a backlighting effect that highlights the exceptional depth of the dials.
CALIBER LJP G101: RELIABILITY AND PERFORMANCE
Atlantis Blue beats to the rhythm of the G101 caliber, developed by the Swiss watch manufacturer La Joux-Perret. Visible through the sapphire crystal, this reliable and precise movement stands out for its meticulous finishing and a comfortable 68-hour power reserve.
It is enhanced here with AWAKE’s exclusive tungsten oscillating weight, whose reliefs and interplay of light are accentuated by a combination of sandblasted, polished, and micro-blasted surfaces. The whole is framed by a ring with polished and micro-blasted finishes, engraved with the markings unique to this version, as well as the brand’s motto: “Artisanship, Awakened.”
HANDCRAFTED STRAPS MADE IN FRANCE
To enhance and extend the nuances and richness of each dial in this Atlantis Blue edition, we have chosen “Peacock” blue suede calfskin straps. Handcrafted by the master leatherworkers at Bouveret in Franche-Comté, they undergo more than 60 meticulous production steps, following a rigorous specification that prioritizes comfort and durability. Each strap features tone-on-tone stitching and a rubberized calfskin lining, providing extra suppleness as well as reinforced resistance to moisture and wear.
Awake Sơn Mài Atlantis Blue
Reference : Sơn Mài – Silver Leaf « Atlantis Blue » – Limited Edition of 100.
Case: 316L recycled stainless steel * Diameter: 39 mm * Lug-to-lug: 45.6 mm * Lug width: 20 mm * Thickness: 11.80 mm including crystal / 10.90 mm without crystal * Arts & Crafts Dial: Entirely handmade using traditional Vietnamese techniques, subtly combining layers of silver leaf, lacquer, and natural pigments. * Indices and Hands: Super-LumiNova® BGW9, AWAKE exclusive “coiffe” luminous signature * Water Resistance: 5 ATM (50M) * Crystal: Sapphire glass with anti-reflective treatment * Caseback: Screw-down, sapphire crystal
Movement: La Joux-Perret G101 automatic – 68h power reserve * Decoration: Custom tungsten rotor with recessed and raised surfaces, brushed, micro-beaded, and polished finishes; micro-beaded encircling ring engraved by laser * Strap (20-16 mm): Blue suede with rubberized calf lining, tone-on-tone stitching, mounted on a pin buckle
Warranty: 3-year international
