Awake's Silver Leaf dials have my attention, especially in blue

The blue Awake Sơn Mài Silver Leaf is the one I'd keep opening another tab to look at. I like the way the dial gets darker around the edges, and those little applied markers leave enough of the surface visible to enjoy it. The green is pretty sick too. This collection gets 106 out of 120 bezel clicks from me, mostly because the dial and the proportions work together so well.

This is a researched first look at the four Silver Leaf executions, not a hands-on review. November 9 coverage introduces the collection, while the product pages themselves are undated. Today's direct store requests were rate-limited, so the specifications and gallery are checked against the brand pages retained by the verified intake run earlier on November 10, plus Hodinkee and Fratello's coverage. I can't independently confirm current checkout availability.

A dial I want room to look at

Awake combines Vietnamese Sơn Mài lacquer with silver leaf, then uses a gradient that leaves the color brighter in the center. The photographs show a texture that looks different from a regular sunburst finish. I like that there isn't a date window competing with it, and the small script logo sits fairly comfortably above the center.

Gentian Blue, Indian Red and Java Green join the permanent collection. Purple Viola is limited to 200 pieces. I would lean toward the blue, but the green dial with that bright strap has enough personality that I wouldn't dismiss it. The red and purple are much louder combinations, and I would want to see them under ordinary indoor lighting before choosing either.

The case is 38 mm across and 44.75 mm lug to lug. Awake gives two thickness measurements: 11.5 mm including the top crystal and 10 mm without it. Including the crystal is the useful figure for comparing what actually sits on a wrist. Those dimensions look well judged for a watch whose dial is supposed to be the reason you buy it.

More than a pretty surface

The La Joux-Perret G101 automatic has a stated 68-hour power reserve. Awake specifies a custom tungsten rotor, sapphire front and back, 100 meters of water resistance and a push-in crown. The hands and markers use BGW9 Super-LumiNova. I like having proper lume on something this decorative, although I haven't tested its brightness or duration.

The 20 mm strap tapers to 16 mm and uses curved quick-release spring bars and an adjustable pin buckle. The brand describes French-made nubuck or Alcantara with a rubberized calfskin lining. Those are useful details, but comfort and buckle adjustment still need an actual try-on.

The listed price is €2,640 including VAT, observed November 10. A US dollar price remains unverified. Advertised deliveries begin November 30; coverage splits the Purple Viola allocation between that shipment and March 2027. I would confirm the exact allocation and delivery promise before placing an order, and I'd start that conversation with the blue one.