Awake, an innovative watch brand, has recently introduced its latest collection, the Sơn Mài Guilloché Main Collection, featuring three distinct models: "Sunset," "Alba," and "Borealis." These timepieces showcase a harmonious blend of traditional Vietnamese lacquer art and exquisite Italian hand-guilloché craftsmanship. Each watch is meticulously assembled within a newly designed 38mm stainless steel case, housing a reliable La Joux-Perret G101 automatic movement. This collection represents Awake's commitment to illuminating rare crafts and delivering exceptional value, with each variant limited to 200 pieces and priced at $3,075.

Awake's Artistic Timepieces: A Fusion of Global Craftsmanship

On May 20, 2026, Awake officially launched its new Sơn Mài Guilloché Main Collection, presenting three exquisite watches named "Sunset," "Alba," and "Borealis." These names evoke celestial beauty, each reflected in the watches' unique dial designs and color palettes. The brand's refreshed visual identity, including a new logo, accompanies this release.

The creation of these dials is a remarkable journey of cross-continental artistry. The process begins in Hanoi, Vietnam, where skilled lacquer artists apply multiple thin layers of Sơn Mài lacquer, derived from the sap of the Rhus Verniciflua tree. Each layer is carefully polished to achieve the dial's vibrant color. "Sunset" features a blend of pink, violet, and blue, mirroring a tranquil ocean sunset. "Alba" captures the fiery hues of dawn with red, yellow, and orange, while "Borealis" displays the enchanting green and yellow of the Northern Lights. Once the intricate lacquer work is complete, the dials embark on a journey to Italy. There, the renowned Renzetti family, one of Europe's last workshops dedicated to hand-guilloché, takes over. Using traditional rose and straight-line engine lathes, their artisans spend approximately 15 hours on each dial, meticulously carving the intricate patterns by hand. This ensures that every groove is unique, reflecting the individual touch of the craftsman and the distinct character of each timepiece.

The watches' hands and indices are crafted with a steel cap system, featuring polished, brushed, and engraved textures, and filled with Super-LumiNova BGW9. This innovative lume solution offers a subtle appearance in daylight but radiates a soft, captivating glow in the dark, highlighting the beauty of the lacquer and guilloché beneath. The watches are encased in a new 38mm stainless steel design, a first for Awake. The case boasts a polished concave bezel, a gently domed anti-reflective sapphire crystal, and subtly downward-curving lugs. With a water resistance of 10 ATM and a sapphire caseback, these watches combine durability with aesthetic appeal. The lug-to-lug measurement is 44.75mm, and the thickness is 11.5mm, including the crystal. A new handwritten logo on the dial further enhances the collection's refined aesthetic. Powering these timepieces is the La Joux-Perret G101 automatic movement, offering a generous 68-hour power reserve. Awake has designed a custom tungsten oscillating weight for this movement, featuring brushed, micro-blasted, and polished finishes. The caseback ring is engraved with Awake's mission statement, "Illuminating the hands and heritage behind rare crafts," and its slogan, "Artisanship, Awakened."

Completing the ensemble are straps created in collaboration with Jean Rousseau, handcrafted in Alcantara, Spain. These straps feature a rubberized calfskin lining, colored stitching that matches each watch reference (green for Borealis, violet for Sunset, and orange for Alba), and curved quick-release spring bars. They are fitted with Awake's new Fitwell M1 micro-adjustable pin buckle, allowing for precise 3mm incremental adjustments. Each of the three editions is limited to 200 numbered pieces, with a retail price of $3,075 (excluding taxes). The initial delivery of 50 pieces is anticipated by the end of June 2026.

From a journalist's perspective, the new Awake Sơn Mài Guilloché Main Collection is a testament to the brand's innovative spirit and dedication to preserving traditional crafts. The fusion of Vietnamese lacquer art and Italian guilloché is not just a technical feat but a captivating storytelling element that elevates each timepiece beyond mere functionality. Having witnessed the collection firsthand, the visual depth and dynamic interplay of light on the dials are truly remarkable, something static photographs cannot fully capture. The thoughtful design choices, such as the new 38mm case size and the subtle yet effective lume, demonstrate a keen understanding of both contemporary watch trends and the enduring appeal of artisanal quality. At its price point, this collection offers exceptional value, challenging the perception that such intricate handcraftsmanship is exclusive to high-luxury brands. It inspires a deeper appreciation for the human touch in an increasingly automated world, reminding us of the beauty that arises from skilled hands and passionate dedication.