AWAKE x The Dial Artist – A Rock'n'Roll Tribute to the Year of the Snake
Courtesy Awake
In a daring fusion of ancient craft and contemporary artistry, AWAKE has unveiled Sơn Mài – Year of the Sssnake, a limited-edition timepiece that bridges Vietnamese lacquer mastery and the bold imagination of Scottish watch artist Chris Alexander, known as The Dial Artist. Limited to just 50 pieces, this unique release celebrates the 2025 Year of the Snake through a richly symbolic, handcrafted design that merges cultural heritage with avant-garde creativity.
Each dial is a miniature canvas—a 15-hour labor of love split across two continents. In Hanoi, master lacquerers apply the traditional Sơn Mài technique, layering natural black pigments and resin from the Rhus Verniciflua tree to produce a deep, mirror-like finish. From there, the dials travel to Perth, Scotland, where Alexander brings his vision to life with matte paints, UV textures, and a snakeskin motif that shimmers in yellow, green, violet, and blue—mimicking the hypnotic iridescence of real reptilian skin.
This meticulous artistry is housed in a 39mm recycled 316L steel case and powered by the Swiss-made LJP G101 automatic movement, offering a 68-hour power reserve. The rotor is made of tungsten, with contrasting textures and a custom engraving that adds subtle whimsy to the mechanical beauty visible through the sapphire caseback.
True to AWAKE’s commitment to modern craftsmanship, the watch features no indices or logos, allowing the dial’s snake-inspired design to take center stage. At night, the hour and minute hands glow softly thanks to a proprietary lume treatment inspired by Japanese chiaroscuro—enhancing the mysterious aura of this limited edition.
Completing the reptilian theme is a metallic purple marine leather strap made from LUNA® trout skin, chosen for its fine grain and reflective scale pattern. The strap’s burgundy calfskin lining and tone-on-tone hand stitching elevate both comfort and aesthetics.
Key Details:
Model: Sơn Mài – Year of the Sssnake by The Dial Artist
Edition: 50 individually certified, hand-crafted pieces
Case: Recycled 316L stainless steel, 39mm diameter
Movement: Swiss LJP G101 automatic, 68-hour power reserve
Dial: Traditional Vietnamese lacquer (Sơn Mài) with snakeskin effect, hand-painted in Scotland
Strap: Iridescent marine leather with calfskin lining
Crystal: Sapphire, anti-reflective front and caseback
Water Resistance: 5 ATM (50 meters)
Lume: Super-LumiNova® BGW9 hands with exclusive light signature
Price: €2,100 (excluding tax)
Availability: July & September 2025
Order at: awakewatches.com
This timepiece is more than a nod to the Chinese zodiac—it’s a wearable work of art. From Hanoi’s lacquer ateliers to a Scottish artist’s studio, Sơn Mài – Year of the Sssnake captures a rich cross-cultural narrative in 39mm of raw, iridescent energy.
Courtesy Awake
