Independent brand Awake has unveiled its most ambitious artistic endeavor yet with the Frosted Leaf collection, pushing the boundaries of traditional Vietnamese Sơn Mài lacquer artistry into uncharted horological territory.
Building upon their successful 2024 Sơn Mài series debut, this latest offering introduces an entirely new dial-making technique that required months of development, creating what founder Lilian Thibault describes as “visual and sensory letting go, away from urban hustle and modern distractions.”
Centuries-Old Sơn Mài Craft
The revolutionary Frosted Leaf technique represents a quantum leap in complexity from traditional lacquer work. Beginning with sap from the Rhus Verniciflua tree—the foundation of authentic Vietnamese lacquer—artisans follow a 15-hour per dial process that layers black pigments, pure silver leaf, and natural colorants in precise sequence.
The silver leaf undergoes meticulous hand-sanding to create base textures, followed by dark pigments, a second round of silver application, and lighter pigments. This creates a luminous “mille-feuille” of materials revealed through careful finger-sanding, with multiple lacquer coats applied and polished to achieve the final mirror-like finish.
Available in three Earth-inspired colorways—Green (celebrating lush vegetation), Blue (evoking water and vast horizons), and Mocha (grounding tones connecting to Earth’s roots)—each 50-piece limited edition captures our planet’s essence as viewed from space.
The organic, ever-changing surface creates depth and texture that transforms with lighting conditions, while Awake’s innovative luminous “cap” signature ensures visibility even in darkness. This unique lume application, inspired by Japanese chiaroscuro principles, required a full year of research and development to perfect.
No two dials are identical due to the handcrafted nature of the process, making each timepiece genuinely unique while maintaining design cohesion across the collection. The result transcends traditional watchmaking decoration, creating wearable art that honors centuries-old techniques while speaking to contemporary sensibilities.
Sustainable Luxury with Swiss Precision
Beyond artistic innovation, the Frosted Leaf collection embodies Awake’s commitment to responsible luxury through comprehensive use of recycled materials. The 39mm cases are crafted from recycled 316L stainless steel, measuring 11.8mm thick with a comfortable 45.6mm lug-to-lug span.
Subtle engraved symbols behind the lugs—a fish for water resistance and anvil for recycled steel—reinforce the brand’s environmental consciousness without compromising aesthetics.
The Swiss-made La Joux-Perret G101 automatic movement provides robust mechanical foundation with unidirectional winding and impressive 68-hour power reserve. Awake collaborated with La Joux-Perret to customize the tungsten rotor, featuring alternating polished, brushed, and bead-blasted textures.
A laser-engraved Clous de Paris motif ring frames the movement, incorporating each piece’s limited edition number as visible reminder of exclusivity.
Custom-made Delugs straps complete the package—light gray Nubuck leather lined with black rubber for comfort and flexibility, finished with tone-on-tone topstitching and recycled stainless steel pin buckles. Quick-release spring bars facilitate easy strap changes, adding practical versatility to artistic excellence.
Priced at €2,150 per colorway and limited to 50 pieces each, the Frosted Leaf collection delivers exceptional value considering its handcrafted lacquer dials, Swiss automatic movement, custom components, and sustainable materials. This pricing strategy reflects Awake’s mission to make meaningful craftsmanship accessible rather than exclusionary.
For collectors seeking timepieces that transcend mere luxury to become cultural preservation vehicles, the Frosted Leaf collection represents rare opportunity to own functional art that celebrates both traditional Vietnamese craftsmanship and contemporary environmental responsibility—proving that authentic artisanal heritage can thrive within modern watchmaking when guided by thoughtful vision and honest pricing.
