Ancestral Vietnamese craftsmanship meets modern Swiss watchmaking

The Sơn Mài – Frosted Leaf collection marks a rare fusion of traditional art and contemporary horology. For this project, AWAKE collaborated with master lacquerers in Hanoi to reinterpret the age-old Vietnamese technique of sơn mài—lacquerware—through the lens of modern watchmaking. The result is a series of handcrafted dials that are at once organic, intricate, and visually arresting.

Each of the three colorways—Green, Blue, and Mocha—is inspired by the hues and textures of the Earth as seen from space. Warm browns reference fertile soil and grounded strength, deep blues evoke the mystery of the oceans, and vibrant greens suggest vegetation and life. At the core of each dial lies a newly developed method combining natural pigments, silver leaf gilding, and layered lacquer, a process that takes over 15 hours per dial. Every surface is hand-sanded to reveal frosted reflections and subtle depth—making each watch a one-of-a-kind expression of human touch and natural inspiration.

The 39mm case is crafted from recycled 316L stainless steel and paired with a DELUGS-made light grey nubuck strap, lined with black rubber for added flexibility and comfort. The strap is secured with a pin buckle and fitted with presto spring bars for easy interchangeability. Inside the case ticks the Swiss-made La Joux-Perret G101 automatic movement, equipped with a 68-hour power reserve. The caliber features a tungsten rotor developed exclusively for AWAKE and is visible through a sapphire case back framed by a Clous de Paris motif ring engraved with the watch’s individual number and collection markings.

All three references share AWAKE’s signature luminous “cap” treatment, a minimalist approach to luminescence inspired by Japanese chiaroscuro. Carefully applied Super-LumiNova BGW9 on the hands and markers ensures nighttime legibility while preserving the integrity of the dial’s surface.

Limited to just 50 pieces per color, the Sơn Mài – Frosted Leaf watches celebrate a philosophy of mindful design, deep craft, and global collaboration. Each piece invites a slower, more contemplative reading of time—anchored in both tradition and innovation.