What's Happening?
Awake has unveiled the Sơn Mài – Frosted Leaf “Ultraviolet” watch, a collaboration with Time+Tide, which features a unique Vietnamese Sơn Mài lacquer dial. This timepiece is designed to evoke the atmosphere
and emotional impact of music and memory, rather than literal references. The dial is crafted using a centuries-old Vietnamese lacquer technique, involving intricate hand engraving and successive translucent layers of rich purple and black pigments over pure silver leaf. This process ensures that no two dials are identical, with variations in lacquer application and hand-finishing creating unique textures and tones that shift with the light. The watch is housed in Awake’s refined Sơn Mài case, measuring 38mm across, 11.5mm thick, and 44.75mm lug-to-lug, offering versatile wearability. It is powered by the La Joux-Perret G101 automatic calibre, providing a 68-hour power reserve. The watch also boasts 100 meters of water resistance and sapphire crystals on both the front and back.
Why It's Important?
The Awake Sơn Mài – Frosted Leaf “Ultraviolet” watch is significant for its innovative use of traditional Vietnamese lacquer art in contemporary watchmaking, pushing the boundaries of dial craftsmanship. This collaboration highlights the growing trend of independent watch brands integrating unique artistic techniques and narrative-driven designs into their products. The emphasis on individuality, with each dial being distinct, appeals to consumers seeking personalized and artisanal luxury items. Furthermore, the watch's concept, linking color, craftsmanship, and memory to the emotional resonance of music, offers a deeper, more experiential value beyond mere timekeeping. This approach can influence other brands to explore more profound thematic connections and artistic expressions in their designs, fostering a richer and more diverse landscape within the luxury watch market.
What's Next?
The Awake Sơn Mài – Frosted Leaf “Ultraviolet” Time+Tide Studio Edition will first be available at FounderFest from September 19, followed by a global online release via the Time+Tide Shop during a 24-hour window starting September 22. Subsequently, this Studio Edition will be exclusively available at Time+Tide Studios in London, Melbourne, and New York. The pricing is set at £2,450 (incl. VAT) / US$3,650 / AU$4,550 (incl. GST) / €2,400 (excl. VAT). The limited distribution and unique artistic nature of the watch suggest it will be a collector's item. Future collaborations from Awake and Time+Tide may continue to explore similar themes of art, memory, and traditional craftsmanship, potentially introducing new colors or artistic techniques to their watch dials.
Beyond the Headlines
The Awake Sơn Mài – Frosted Leaf “Ultraviolet” watch transcends its function as a timepiece to become a medium for storytelling and emotional connection. By drawing inspiration from the relationship between music and memory, the watch taps into universal human experiences, offering a tangible representation of intangible feelings. The use of traditional Vietnamese Sơn Mài lacquer not only showcases a rich cultural heritage but also emphasizes the value of slow, meticulous craftsmanship in an age of rapid production. This approach challenges the conventional perception of luxury, moving beyond mere material value to encompass artistic integrity, cultural depth, and personal resonance. The watch serves as a reminder that objects can hold profound meaning, acting as conduits for personal narratives and shared human experiences, thereby enriching the wearer's interaction with time itself.
