wake’s relationship with the Métiers d’Art goes far beyond watchmaking. It is about celebrating craftsmanship, transcending borders and boundaries, and bringing diverse identities and cultures to the forefront—within the frame of a dial. Aesthetics, craftsmanship, meticulous attention to detail, and timelessness are equally central to this vision. Each Awake project seeks to showcase and preserve traditional savoir-faire by bringing it into everyday life.

Since Awake was founded in 2019, Nature and the Arts have stood at the heart of the brand’s inspiration. They form the common thread running through all of its watchmaking projects, giving rise to unique and captivating creations. This philosophy is shared by the Master Lacquerers with whom Awake collaborates, artisans driven to push the boundaries of their ancestral techniques. Through their dedication, the dials of the Frosted Leaf collection express the beauty of the world. In 2025, Awake drew inspiration from the breathtaking sight of Earth seen from Space.

In 2026, Awake turns its attention to Nature in some of its most extraordinary moments. By combining poetry and craftsmanship, the brand seeks to capture these fleeting phenomena in lacquer, transforming the ephemeral into the eternal. Blood Moon, Storm, and Lagoon are inspired by three rare and intense natural phenomena. When witnessed, each creates a sudden awareness of human scale in the face of something infinitely greater. It is a striking and universal feeling. In these moments of natural epiphany, when Nature reveals its full beauty, Time seems to stand still.

“The Blood Moon only appears for a few hours per year. A clap of thunder only lasts a split second. A perfect lagoon can only be found in certain places around the World. Together, these three phenomena illustrate the dichotomies at the heart of Awake’s creative universe: ephemeral VS eternal, light VS dark, familiar VS uncanny, perceptible VS hidden.”

Blood Moon, Storm, Lagoon: three new iterations featuring powerful dials that poetically capture life in motion and preserve Nature at its rarest and most fleeting. They push the boundaries of a singular ancestral Vietnamese technique—known as glacis—even further, making it possible to seal within lacquer, for eternity, that which by nature cannot last. Each dial is conceived as a complete visual and sensory experience, inviting inward reflection and reminding its wearer to cherish those unexpected moments that arrive without warning and remain forever.

The dials of the “Blood Moon” version are inspired by one of the most fascinating celestial phenomena: the so-called “Blood Moon”, which occurs during a total lunar eclipse. As the Moon passes through Earth’s shadow, it takes on a deep red hue and appears almost unreal. Such a rare event can be deeply overwhelming for those fortunate enough to witness it. Paradoxically, the Moon shines within the darkness—but in an entirely different way, charged with mystery. It is as though Earth’s faithful companion were revealing a hidden side of itself. Little wonder that so many civilizations once viewed it as an omen of profound change.

The dials are dressed in black and red: the colors of passion, desire, and mystery. The two shades challenge and enhance one another, creating exceptional visual depth between light and darkness. A fleeting moment, captured for eternity through Awake’s exclusive Frosted Leaf technique.

The “Storm” dials offer an artistic interpretation of one of the few natural phenomena capable of inspiring awe and fear in equal measure: the storm. Since the dawn of time, humankind has been both fascinated and intimidated by storms. Even today, they retain a powerful and universal significance. Black and orange hues evoke the beauty and danger of a flash of lightning tearing through the darkness. It lasts only a fraction of a second—yet that is enough to illuminate everything around it with unrivalled intensity. The result is a bold dial charged with electric energy, expressing the immense power suddenly unleashed by Nature. It also embodies the duality of destruction and creation, silence and impact, fear and wonder.

“Storm” is designed for those seeking a watch that feels alive and unpredictable—neither conventional nor discreet. It speaks to people who live life to the fullest and understand that unforgettable moments can arise suddenly, without warning, and with unexpected force.

The “Lagoon” dials pay tribute to the mesmerizing beauty of lagoons and their relationship with light. Suspended between sea and land, depth and surface, lagoons reveal incomparable and almost magical optical effects. Awake sought to capture these effects within the dial. Translucent greenish blue, intense turquoise, deep cobalt blue, or silvery pale blue: lagoons seem like breathing, living organisms in constant transformation. Transparent at first glance, the “Lagoon” dials in fact contain an entire universe. Looking into them feels like diving inward, in search of hidden truths. This artistic achievement is made possible by Awake’s Frosted Leaf technique and the mastery of its lacquer artisans. Light passes through several layers of lacquer, natural pigments, and silver leaf, producing visual effects reminiscent of lagoon waters.

“Lagoon” watches encourage their wearers to look beyond what is immediately visible. They are intended for those who understand that the most precious things often lie beneath the surface. A quiet reminder that some treasures—and some forms of savoir-faire—are timeless. Wisdom begins with the realization of how much remains to be discovered.

The remarkable technique used to create the Blood Moon, Storm, and Lagoon dials demands the highest levels of concentration and dexterity. It is a long and complex handcrafted process in which every gesture matters, and perfection remains the sole objective. Each dial becomes a hypnotic “millefeuille” of matter and light.

A rare and delicate raw material: the process begins with sap from the Rhus verniciflua tree, which grows in northern Vietnam. After a decade of growth, each tree yields only around 200 ml of this precious liquid per year. Harvesting takes place exclusively at daybreak, during June and July. Once purified and dehydrated, the sap becomes a transparent lacquer renowned for its ability to enhance shine and protect surfaces.

An ancient and unique Vietnamese art: Sơn Mài is an age-old technique that requires several years of practice to master. It consists of applying and polishing multiple layers of natural lacquer to achieve a mirror-like surface of unrivalled depth. Unlike Chinese and Japanese traditions, Vietnamese artisans incorporate precious materials between layers of lacquer—such as silver leaf in Awake’s case—to create unique textures, relief, and plays of light.

Shimmering and sparkling silver leaf: at the base of the dial, the artisans apply an initial layer of lacquer mixed with very dark black pigments, before varnishing it. A first layer of pure silver leaf is then applied with a brush and delicately sanded to remove excess material. This gives the dials an organic quality, animated by metallic and warm flashes of light.

Exceptional depth: this is where Awake’s “Frosted” technique comes into play. Rather than proceeding directly with the lacquer layering used on more “classic” dials, the Master Lacquerers repeat the previous process, adding further silver leaf within the lacquer. The lacquer itself is enriched with blue, orange, or red pigments, creating a striking contrast. The material suspended between each layer appears almost alive. The technique requires patience, consistency, and time. It dramatically enhances the visual complexity of every dial.

A gifted craftsman: this “millefeuille” of light and matter is then entrusted to the most experienced artisan in the workshop. Using only the fingers, the surface is sanded with extreme care to gradually reveal the reliefs and patterns that make every dial unique. Several layers of lacquer, each individually sanded and polished, are required to achieve a flawless and enduring brilliance. The process is methodical, demanding, and lengthy, requiring approximately 15 hours. A single mistake can compromise the entire dial.

A unique work of art: the complete process requires patience, dexterity, and absolute concentration. It transforms every dial into a one-of-a-kind creation in which Light and Time seem to stop and enter into dialogue. Each piece also bears the subtle traces of the expert hands that shaped it. The result is an expression of ancestral craftsmanship, bringing a centuries-old tradition into the present day.

These three models are housed in Awake’s new 38 mm case, featuring slimmer proportions. Perfectly balanced, its elegance is enhanced by the concave lines of the polished bezel, the gently domed sapphire crystal, and the delicately rounded lugs. The result blends the aesthetic codes of the 1960s with contemporary design. The contrast between polished surfaces and satin-finished case sides reinforces its modern character. The slightly redesigned, now screw-down winding crown—enabling water resistance to 100 meters—is adorned with a new “coat of arms”, symbolizing Awake’s commitment to artisanship. Finally, the rehaut has been redesigned to express the brand’s vision with greater clarity and authenticity.

The dials introduce Awake’s new visual identity, featuring a handwritten logo as a tribute to the artisans’ handwork. This is not simply an aesthetic choice; it is a way of placing Tradition, Savoir-faire, and Métiers d’Art within a contemporary framework. Stamped with Awake’s new coat of arms, a symbol of transmission and cultural dialogue, the watches embody the brand’s sensibility and commitment. Every detail celebrates the richness of craftsmanship and Awake’s determination to keep it alive.

Blood Moon, Storm, and Lagoon feature Awake’s exclusive “Chiaroscuro” luminous signature, designed to enhance the depth and contrasts of the dials both by day and by night. The hands and indexes combine Super-LumiNova® BGW9 with polished, brushed, and faceted steel. This innovation, known as the “coiffe”, enables a subtle diffusion of light and improved legibility without distracting from the dial. During the day, discretion prevails. In darkness, the luminescence reveals its full effect. A soft luminous halo appears, accentuating the brilliance of the lacquer, the sparkle of the silver leaf, and the contrast of the pigments, bringing poetry and technical accomplishment together.

The automatic G101 movement—manufactured in Switzerland by La Joux-Perret—is the beating heart of the Blood Moon, Storm, and Lagoon models. High-performing, reliable, modern, and precise, this finely finished caliber offers a 68-hour power reserve. It is also fitted with Awake’s new custom-made rotor. Crafted from tungsten, the rotor combines technical sophistication and elegance through a composition of reliefs and counter-reliefs enhanced by polished, brushed, and bead-blasted finishes. The rehaut is engraved with Awake’s motto—Illuminating the hands and heritage behind rare crafts—and its signature—Artisanship, Awakened.

To complement the new creations, Awake selected nubuck calfskin straps in orange, red, and blue. Each strap is handmade in France by the master leatherworkers of Maison Bouveret in Franche-Comté, in the French Jura. No fewer than 60 individual steps are required to produce these comfortable and durable straps in accordance with exacting specifications. Each features tone-on-tone topstitching and a black rubberized calfskin lining, providing exceptional flexibility as well as resistance to water and wear. The straps are completed by Awake’s new Fitwell M1 micro-adjustment ardillon buckle, with only 3 mm between adjustment holes, allowing for a precise and comfortable fit throughout the day. The result is both technical and refined, designed so that connoisseurs can enjoy their watch every day.

Awake’s new creations bring together a distinctive combination of qualities: unique handmade dials created using two ancestral Métiers d’Art techniques; an exclusive luminous signature; a renowned Swiss caliber; and straps handcrafted in France. They are priced at €2,820, including taxes and shipping worldwide. True to its vision, Awake seeks to offer watches that unite aesthetics, fine watchmaking, traditional savoir-faire, and genuine emotion while remaining within the same price range.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

• References: Sơn Mài - Frosted Leaf « Storm » - standard collection – around 100 pieces a year Sơn Mài - Frosted Leaf « Blood Moon » - standard collection – around 100 pieces a year Sơn Mài - Frosted Leaf « Lagoon » - standard collection – around 100 pieces a year
• Case: 316L Stainless Steel
• Diameter: 38 mm
• Lug to lug: 44.75 mm
• Lug width: 20 mm
• Thickness: 11.5 mm, including crystal / 10 mm without crystal
• Métier d’Art dials: each dial requires 15 hours of work. Each is handmade using two traditional forms of savoir-faire: Vietnamese Sơn Mài lacquerwork and pure silver leaf
• Indexes and hands: Super-LumiNova® BGW9, Awake exclusive luminous “coiffe” signature
• Water resistance: 10 ATM (100 m)
• Crystal: anti-reflective sapphire crystal
• Case back: screw-down, sapphire crystal
• Movement: Automatic La Joux-Perret G101 – 68-hour power reserve
• Decorations: New custom-made tungsten rotor, featuring reliefs and counter-reliefs with polished, brushed, and bead-blasted finishes. Bead-blasted and engraved rehaut
• Strap: Maison Bouveret – nubuck calfskin – rubberized calfskin lining, tone-on-tone topstitching – curved quick-release spring bars – new micro-adjustment ardillon buckle
• Warranty: 3 years, worldwide
• Price: €2,820, taxes and shipping included