Awake Son Mai Silver Leaf Palladium Automatic – SMPA25AW

The Awake Sơn Mài Silver Leaf Palladium is a refined expression of artistic watchmaking, where tradition and contemporary design meet in perfect harmony. Its elegant dial reveals a graceful gradient that transitions from luminous light gold to deep brown, creating a warm and soothing presence on the wrist. Both subtle and sophisticated, this palette symbolizes clarity and purity while offering a modern alternative to classic beige or brown tones—equally at home with contemporary style or vintage-inspired elegance.

Inspired by the iconic “vignette” dials of the 1970s and 1980s, Awake reinterprets the celebrated smoky gradient effect that naturally draws the eye toward the center of the dial. Originally a photographic term describing a bright center surrounded by darker edges, the vignette effect becomes a creative asset in Awake’s watchmaking vision. Through a meticulous ten-hour handcrafting process, artisans layer pigments and lacquer to achieve subtle color transitions and remarkable visual depth, creating a dial that captures light with striking intensity.

At the heart of this creation lies the centuries-old Vietnamese lacquer technique known as Sơn Mài. The lacquer itself is derived from the precious sap of the Rhus verniciflua tree, which grows in northern Vietnam and produces only small quantities after many years of growth. Once purified, this natural lacquer is applied and polished in multiple layers, forming a surface of extraordinary brilliance. Pure silver leaf is then delicately placed by hand, giving the dial a textured, luminous character that shifts beautifully with changing light.

The watch is housed in a refined 39mm case crafted from recycled 316L stainless steel and protected by a sapphire crystal, with 50 meters of water resistance. Inside beats the renowned Swiss La Joux-Perret G101 automatic movement, offering an impressive 68-hour power reserve and visible through a sapphire caseback with a custom tungsten rotor. Completing the piece is a handcrafted strap produced by master saddlers in Bouveret, ensuring exceptional comfort and durability.