French watchmaker Awake is continuing to bridge contemporary independent watch design with ancient craftsmanship through a major expansion of its acclaimed Silver Leaf collection. Originally launched in 2024, the Silver Leaf line marked a pivotal evolution for the seven-year-old brand, representing its inaugural entry into the high-end realm of Métiers d’Art. Now, Awake is building upon that foundation with the introduction of three permanent additions and one special limited-edition model, further cementing its reputation for producing deeply textured, visually arresting dials at an accessible price point.
The newly expanded lineup introduces three permanent colorways—Java Green, Gentian Blue, and Indian Red—alongside a striking Purple Viola iteration that is strictly limited to 200 individually numbered pieces worldwide. With this release, Awake is also championing a new aesthetic vocabulary it refers to as "Vignette" dials. Inspired by the evocative gradient styles that first captured the watchmaking world’s imagination in the 1970s, these dials feature deep, darker tones around the perimeter that gradually fade into lighter, more luminous shades toward the center.
Behind the mesmerizing visual depth of these dials lies a painstaking artisanal process rooted far from the brand’s French headquarters. Much like previous iterations, the dials for the Sàîn Mâi Silver Leaf collection are crafted within a specialized lacquer workshop in Hanoi, Vietnam. The production process requires exceptional patience and precision. Artisans apply and polish roughly twelve distinct layers of pigmented lacquer directly over sheets of delicate silver leaf. This intensive, highly specialized procedure demands more than ten hours of labor per dial, severely restricting annual output. Awake estimates that production will be capped at approximately 100 dials per year for each of the permanent models, ensuring an extraordinary level of exclusivity for owners.
Housed within these artisanal displays is a newly redesigned 316L stainless steel case measuring 38mm in diameter, with a lug-to-lug distance of 44.75mm and a total thickness of 11.5mm, including the crystal (or 10mm excluding it). The case architecture also showcases Awake’s evolving brand identity, highlighted by a distinctive handwritten logo that first debuted in May alongside the Sàîn Mâi Guilloché collection and now firmly anchors this latest release.
Beyond the dial and case geometry, Awake has continued to refine its signature approach to nighttime legibility. The brand’s proprietary "Chiaroscuro" luminous signature completely flips conventional watch design on its head. Instead of painting lume directly onto standard markers and hands, Awake utilizes sculpted steel caps—finished in alternating polished and brushed surfaces—set directly over solid blocks of Swiss Super-LumiNova BGW9. The result is a dramatic, three-dimensional play of light and shadow that looks just as compelling in total darkness as it does under direct sunlight.
Turning the watch over reveals the mechanical beating heart of the collection: the reliable La Joux-Perret G101 automatic movement. Operating at a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour (4 Hz) and containing 24 jewels, the movement offers a robust power reserve of 68 hours, making it an ideal companion for daily wear. The caliber is visible through an exhibition caseback and is now fitted with a newly designed tungsten rotor. To enhance both durability and user comfort, the case is engineered to withstand 100 meters of water resistance.
Attention to detail extends right down to the wristwear. Every model in the Sàîn Mâi Silver Leaf collection ships on a premium strap handcrafted in France by renowned specialists Jean Rousseau and Bouveret. Available in luxurious alcantara or fine nubuck, each strap is carefully lined with rubberized calfskin for enhanced longevity and comfort. They are further equipped with quick-release spring bars for effortless strap changes and feature a newly developed Fitwell M1 micro-adjustable pin buckle.
Priced at €2,640 including VAT—roughly translating to $2,950 USD—the Awake Sàîn Mâi Silver Leaf collection offers an extraordinary density of craftsmanship and horological substance for under $3,000. Official deliveries for the permanent models, including Java Green, Gentian Blue, and Indian Red, are slated to begin in late November, while the limited-edition Purple Viola is expected to draw intense interest from collectors seeking a rarer piece.
What We Think
Having made regular appearances at horological exhibitions over the past several months—from Chronopolis in Geneva to Wind-Up watch fairs in both Chicago and New York—Awake has steadily carved out a reputation for boasting one of the most distinctive and visually engaging setups on the independent scene. The brand’s creations instantly draw observers in with their vibrant, deep colors, while the narrative behind each handcrafted dial encourages closer inspection. Looking at these dials through a loupe reveals a mesmerizing level of micro-detail that remains unmistakably Awake.
This latest expansion represents the most refined execution of the concept yet. The Vignette styling is handled with exceptional care and restraint, featuring a gradual color scale that effortlessly transitions into darker perimeter tones to clear space for the applied indices. Furthermore, the 38mm case dimensions strike a nearly universal sweet spot, wearing comfortably across a wide variety of wrist sizes.
For those who have not yet encountered these timepieces in person, seeking them out at an upcoming watch fair is well worth the effort, particularly to experience the lume firsthand. The Chiaroscuro luminous signature is an unexpected yet thoroughly thoughtful touch. It is a feature that technically doesn’t need to be engineered to such a high degree, which makes its inclusion all the more impressive.
Engraved on the movement surrounding the rotor, Awake states its mission explicitly: "Illuminating the hands and heritage behind rare crafts." With the Sàîn Mâi Silver Leaf collection, the brand is fulfilling that mission both literally and figuratively, delivering a level of independent watchmaking artistry that far exceeds expectations for a brand of its youth.
The Basics
Brand: Awake
Model: Sàîn Mâi Silver Leaf
Diameter: 38mm
Thickness: 11.5mm including crystal, 10mm excluding crystal
Case Material: 316L stainless steel
Dial Color: Java Green, Gentian Blue, Indian Red, and Purple Viola (limited edition), featuring silver leaf and Sàîn Mâi lacquer
Indexes: Sculpted steel caps in polished and brushed finishes, positioned over solid blocks of lume
Lume: Super-LumiNova BGW9 featuring the Chiaroscuro signature
Water Resistance: 100m
Strap/Bracelet: Handcrafted in France by Jean Rousseau and Bouveret in alcantara or nubuck with rubberized calfskin lining, complete with quick-release spring bars and a Fitwell M1 micro-adjustable pin buckle
The Movement
Caliber: La Joux-Perret G101
Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds
Diameter: 25.6mm (11½ lignes)
Thickness: 4.45mm
Power Reserve: 68 hours
Winding: Automatic
Frequency: 28,800 vph (4 Hz)
Jewels: 24
Chronometer Certified: No
Pricing & Availability
Price: €2,640 including VAT, or approximately $2,950 USD
Availability: Java Green, Gentian Blue, and Indian Red form part of the permanent collection, produced at a rate of roughly 100 pieces per year each, with deliveries commencing in late November.
Limited Edition: The Purple Viola is individually numbered and strictly limited to 200 pieces worldwide.
