www.blajournal.com

Awake Son Mai Frosted Leaf Royal Red: A Fusion of Tradition and Modernity

January 21
Awake, a brand established in 2019 by Lilian Thibault, champions a philosophy of conscious timekeeping through sustainable practices, creative designs, and the preservation of global cultures. The brand is dedicated to revitalizing traditional crafts from around the world by integrating them into contemporary watchmaking. Following the successful launch of the Son Mai collection in 2024, featuring Vietnamese lacquer dials, and the subsequent Frosted Leaf editions, Awake introduces its latest masterpiece: the Frosted Leaf Royal Red, a limited series of 100 pieces that further elevates the brand's artistic vision.

Experience Timeless Artistry: Awake's Royal Red Frosted Leaf Edition

The Elegant Case Design: A Testament to Sustainable Craftsmanship

The timepiece boasts a 39mm case meticulously fashioned from recycled stainless steel, maintaining the signature clean lines found across all Son Mai models, including the recent Frosted Leaf variations. It showcases a harmonious blend of polished and satin finishes, complemented by gracefully curved lugs. With a height of 11.8mm (or 10.9mm without the crystal), the case is equipped with sapphire crystals on both the front and back, ensuring durability and clarity. Furthermore, it offers water resistance up to 50 meters, combining aesthetic appeal with practical resilience.

The Frosted Leaf Royal Red Dial: A Symphony of Culture and Innovation

Drawing inspiration from ancient Asian ceremonial artifacts and the powerful interplay of red and gold, this watch reinterprets the art of Vietnamese Son Mai lacquerware through a novel iteration of the Frosted Leaf technique. For the first time, the dial's uppermost layer is intricately composed of pure silver leaf, delicately infused with copper pigments. This innovative approach reverses conventional layering, allowing light to interact directly with the materials, resulting in a mesmerizing, organic texture. The dial radiates with deep crimson hues and a warm metallic sheen, offering a contemporary expression of vitality, wisdom, and the passage of time. The applied hour markers and hands, coated with polished steel over a Super-LumiNova base, provide a striking backlit effect in low light conditions, enhancing readability and visual appeal.

Precision and Endurance: The La Joux-Perret G101 Movement

At the heart of the watch lies the La Joux-Perret G101 automatic movement, renowned for its reliability and an impressive power reserve of 68 hours. This sophisticated mechanism is further distinguished by a bespoke tungsten rotor, adorned with brushed and micro-beaded finishes, and intricately engraved with details pertinent to the collection, embodying both mechanical excellence and artistic detail.

Luxury and Comfort: The Handcrafted Strap and Availability

The watch is elegantly paired with a handmade red suede calfskin strap, expertly crafted in France by Maison Bouveret. This strap features a rubberized leather lining for enhanced comfort and durability, along with tone-on-tone stitching and a recycled steel pin buckle. A quick-release system allows for easy interchangeability. This exclusive Frosted Leaf Royal Red edition is limited to just 100 pieces, priced at EUR 2,200 (excluding taxes). Deliveries are planned in two phases: 50 pieces in January 2026 and the remaining 50 in April 2026, offering collectors a unique opportunity to own a piece of this exquisite craftsmanship.

latest news

Gérald Genta Unveils New Geneva Time Only Grafite and Marrone Watches in Precious Metals
January 21

Gérald Genta Unveils New Geneva Time Only Grafite and Marrone Watches in Precious Metals

Gérald Genta introduces two exquisite new Geneva Time Only watches, available in white and pink gold. These timepieces, featuring a refined cushion-shaped case and a Zenith Elite 670-based movement, embody the brand's contemporary take on classic elegance, reflecting the sophisticated spirit of Geneva with their distinctive grafite and marrone dials.

MB&F Unveils the Advanced LM Sequential Flyback Evo Timepiece
January 21

MB&F Unveils the Advanced LM Sequential Flyback Evo Timepiece

MB&F introduces the LM Sequential Flyback Evo, an evolution of its award-winning chronograph. This new model incorporates dual flyback functions and a unique tilted time dial, setting a new standard for complex timekeeping. With a titanium case and an aquamarine dial, this $230,000 timepiece offers unprecedented precision and versatility for tracking multiple events simultaneously, solidifying MB&F's reputation for innovative horology.

TAG Heuer Unveils Advanced Carrera Split-Seconds Chronograph
January 20

TAG Heuer Unveils Advanced Carrera Split-Seconds Chronograph

TAG Heuer expands its prestigious Carrera series with the new Split-Seconds Chronograph, a timepiece that integrates cutting-edge technology and exquisite craftsmanship. This 42mm titanium watch, featuring a translucent sapphire dial and the sophisticated Calibre TH81-01 movement, was introduced at LVMH Watch Week in Milan. It represents a fusion of iconic design with modern horological innovation, setting a new benchmark for high-performance chronographs.

Hublot Unveils Limited Edition Novak Djokovic GOAT Tourbillon Watches
January 20

Hublot Unveils Limited Edition Novak Djokovic GOAT Tourbillon Watches

Hublot has launched a limited edition trilogy of Big Bang Tourbillon Novak Djokovic GOAT Edition watches, celebrating the tennis legend's 101 career titles. Each of the three models, inspired by different tennis court surfaces (hard, clay, and grass), is crafted from recycled materials from Djokovic's Lacoste polos and Head racquets, showcasing innovative design and Hublot's 'Art of Fusion' philosophy.

Louis Vuitton Unveils Limited Edition Escale Tiger's Eye Watch
January 20

Louis Vuitton Unveils Limited Edition Escale Tiger's Eye Watch

Louis Vuitton introduces the Escale Tiger's Eye, a limited-edition watch showcasing exceptional stonework. This timepiece integrates Tiger's Eye stone not just on the dial but also on the case middle, a significant advancement in watch design. Inspired by the brand's travel heritage, this 30-piece collection combines luxurious materials with meticulous craftsmanship, offering a distinctive and elegant addition to the Escale series.

Louis Vuitton Unveils New Tambour Convergence Guilloché Watch
January 20

Louis Vuitton Unveils New Tambour Convergence Guilloché Watch

Louis Vuitton has introduced an enhanced version of its acclaimed Tambour Convergence timepiece during LVMH Watch Week. This latest iteration features a stunning hand-guilloché façade, meticulously decorated with intricate rippling halos and undulating sunray patterns. The 37mm rose gold case maintains its iconic design, housing the LFT MA01.01 automatic movement, and retails for €59,500 / US$58,500 / £51,500.