In an industry often confined by tradition, the true moments of excitement arrive when a brand dares to infuse a classic complication with unapologetic, unbridled emotional resonance. The AWAKE Son Mài The Deadly Watch is exactly that moment: a kinetic tribute to Quentin Tarantino’s graphic and aesthetic magnum opus, Kill Bill.
This is not merely a watch with a film reference; it is a collaborative project that fuses the diverse genres of the cult classic—from kung fu and spaghetti westerns to epic cinema—with one of horology’s most ancient and exacting decorative techniques, Métiers d’Art.
Limited to an exceedingly sharp eighty-eight pieces, this edition is conceived for the enthusiast who demands both watchmaking pedigree and pure cinematic emotion. From the name itself, a direct nod to the formidable Deadly Viper Assassination Squad, to the intricate execution of its design, every detail has been meticulously crafted to satisfy the exacting eye of both watch and film aficionados.
The heart of its unique character lies in the dial, which is crafted entirely by hand in AWAKE’s Hanoi workshops using traditional Vietnamese Sơn Mài lacquer techniques. This is a process perfected over centuries, utilizing the precious sap from the Rhus verniciflua tree, a resource so rare it takes ten years to yield just 200 ml of sap. The resulting multiple layers of lacquer and natural pigments create an intense ensemble of unique brilliance and striking, symbolic reflections, perfectly embodying the film’s graphic codes.
Housed in a 39mm recycled 316L stainless steel case, the design maintains a modern, widely wearable profile. The complexity continues on the caseback, where a micro-beaded bezel is laser engraved with multiple symbols and cinematic nods, visible around the sapphire crystal window.
Peering through, one glimpses the powerful engine: the Automatic La Joux-Perret G101 movement, offering a robust 68-hour power reserve. This quality caliber is finished with a personalized tungsten rotor, featuring alternating surfaces with brushed, micro-beaded, and polished finishes—a detail that speaks to the brand’s commitment to high watchmaking quality within their price segment.
The kinetic energy of the dial is matched by the dramatic strap: handcrafted in matte black Barenia calfskin, it is lined with a vibrant yellow calfskin and accented with yellow and red topstitching, instantly recalling the iconic costume of the film’s heroine, Beatrix Kiddo.
Further cementing the theme are applied Katana elements at 6 o’clock and the signature AWAKE luminous “coiffe” hands, all treated with Super-LumiNova® BGW9. Available for €1,650, and with the first batch already sold out, the AWAKE Son Mài The Deadly Watch is a delightfully daring creation, proving that a watch can be both a technically proficient instrument and a wearable tribute to cinematic revenge, loyalty, and power.
