AWAKE Sơn Mài Silver Leaf Atlantis Blue

By Brent Robillard

“The very coinage of your brain”

The first time I held a watch from AWAKE in my hands was last summer. Lilian and Thibaut had sent over a sample of the Sơn Mài Silver Leaf Golden Hour ahead of its debut at the Toronto Timepiece Show. The fiery orange dial was intended as an homage to the autumn colours of Ontario, and it was fair to say that I had never quite seen a dial like it before. The depth created through the Sơn Mài lacquer process was remarkable, especially when viewed under studio light during photography.

Today, the team at AWAKE is introducing another colourway in the Silver Leaf collection: Atlantis Blue. This latest limited edition draws inspiration from the enduring myth of Atlantis and the mysterious depths of the ocean. While the concept leans into myth and storytelling, the central attraction—much like previous entries in the collection—remains the dial itself.

The Sơn Mài Silver Leaf “Atlantis Blue” from AWAKE in hand — Sơn Mài – Silver Leaf “Atlantis Blue” from AWAKE

Since spending time with the Golden Hour, I’ve had the opportunity to experience several watches from the AWAKE catalogue. Even so, I continue to be impressed by the visual depth achieved through the Sơn Mài process, and the Silver Leaf collection in particular remains one of the most distinctive expressions of that craft. If the press images are anything to go by, the new Atlantis Blue iteration continues that tradition.

Check out the AWAKE Refreshes the Sơn Mài Silver Leaf Collection

Advertisement

The Sơn Mài Silver Leaf “Atlantis Blue” dial has a vignette styled colouring — “Vignette” styled colourway

Key Features of the AWAKE Sơn Mài Silver Leaf “Atlantis Blue”

A Dial Inspired by the Ocean’s Depths

At the heart of the Atlantis Blue edition is a handcrafted dial produced using traditional Vietnamese lacquer techniques. The process combines layers of natural lacquer, pure silver leaf, and pigments, gradually building a surface with subtle gradients and texture. AWAKE describes the effect as a “vignette,” a visual style reminiscent of the smoky gradient dials seen on watches from the 1970s and 1980s.

Here, the colour transitions from brighter tones at the centre to darker shades toward the edges, evoking the feeling of descending from sunlit water into the darker depths of the ocean. According to the brand, crafting a single dial requires more than ten hours of focused work by master lacquerers in Hanoi.

Advertisement

Close up of the lacquered dial on the Sơn Mài Silver Leaf “Atlantis Blue” — Dial detail with polished hands and indices

The Atlantis Blue model also features AWAKE’s distinctive luminous construction. Rather than traditional lume plots, the hands and indices are formed from a base of Super-LumiNova BGW9 topped with polished steel. The result is a subtle daytime appearance that transforms after dark, with light seemingly glowing from beneath the applied elements.

Close up of the lume blocks beneath the indices and hands on the Sơn Mài Silver Leaf “Atlantis Blue” — Hands and indices sit on blocks of BGW9 Super-LumiNova

The Movement Inside

Powering the Atlantis Blue is the La Joux-Perret G101, an automatic movement known for its reliability and relatively generous power reserve of 68 hours. The calibre is visible through the sapphire caseback and features a custom tungsten oscillating weight finished with a mix of brushed, sandblasted, and polished surfaces.

The watch itself is housed in a 39 mm case made from recycled 316L stainless steel. It measures 45.6 mm lug-to-lug and 11.8 mm thick including the crystal, dimensions that should keep it wearable across a range of wrist sizes. Water resistance is rated to 50 metres.

Completing the watch is a peacock-blue suede calfskin strap produced in Franche-Comté, the historic centre of French watchmaking. According to the brand, the straps undergo more than sixty individual production steps and feature a rubberized calf lining for durability.

Limited Production

The AWAKE Sơn Mài – Silver Leaf Atlantis Blue will be produced as a limited edition of 100 pieces, split across two batches: 50 watches scheduled for delivery in April 2026 and another 50 in May.

Pricing is set at €2,000 excluding VAT (approx. $3,140 CAD), placing the watch within the same range as other models in the Silver Leaf collection. For collectors interested in artisanal dial work—particularly those intrigued by the Sơn Mài technique—this new colourway appears to continue the brand’s distinctive approach to combining traditional crafts with contemporary watchmaking.

Stationary polished bezel of the Sơn Mài Silver Leaf “Atlantis Blue” — Sơn Mài Silver Leaf “Atlantis Blue” on wrist

Case edge of the Sơn Mài Silver Leaf “Atlantis Blue” — Sơn Mài Silver Leaf “Atlantis Blue” on wrist

Check out the AWAKE Sơn Mài Fragments

French made leather strap onthe Sơn Mài Silver Leaf “Atlantis Blue” — Blue suede calfskin with rubberized lining fashioned in France

Check out The Ultimate Watch Buying Guide

Final Thoughts

For my part, after spending time photographing the Golden Hour last summer, I’m particularly curious to see how this new blue interpretation looks in person. If the dial delivers the same sense of depth and texture as previous models in the collection, it should make for another visually compelling addition to the AWAKE lineup.

About the Author

Brent Robillard is a writer, educator, craftsman, and watch enthusiast. He is the author of four novels. You can follow him on Instagram.

On Spec articles refer to upcoming projects and rely upon available information on Kickstarter, the brand website, and promotional materials provided by the watchmaker. An On Spec article does not preclude a future full-length review in our Off The Cuff section. If you would like your project to feature in On Spec, please contact us here.

Please understand that using any links to products on this site might result in us making money.