Introducing J.N. Shapiro Infinity Tantalum Restricted Version (Specs & Value)

Josh Shapiro, the person behind J.N. Shapiro Watches, is exclusive in lots of facets. As we’ve defined in an interview with the younger unbiased watchmaker, he’s one of many solely to train this high quality artwork in California – his workshop is situated in Inglewood to be exact. With the thought to supply as a lot as doable in-house, and thus on US soil, he has just lately created a extremely enticing assortment of chic, high-end watches named the Infinity collection. Primarily based on this design, J.N. Shapiro now launches the Infinity Tantalum Restricted Version, with the primary tantalum case produced exterior of Switzerland and three completely different (and enticing) dial choices. 

Impartial watchmaking has just lately gained unimaginable traction and this gave concepts to many younger and proficient watchmakers, with most of them attempting to convey one thing private of their creations. For Josh Shapiro, it’s about his work on supplies and crafting habillage items, all finished in a standard and ultra-detailed means. As we’ve defined already, Josh is at the moment engaged on increasing his assortment and he’s placing the ultimate touches on an in-house, hand-wound calibre with a tourbillon moon section. However for now, his focus is on manufacturing extraordinarily refined habillage components, leading to basic, elegant watches with a twist.

The J.N. Shapiro Infinity collection is an ideal demonstration of Josh’s savoir-faire, with detailed dials with guilloché patterns (even on a meteorite base…), hand-made palms, in-house crafted instances… And for now out-sourced actions. The thought is to push the envelope of the watch (fairly actually) to the max, with a powerful stage of element. Primarily based on this assortment, the unbiased watchmaker now releases a brand new collection of watches, the Infinity Tantalum Restricted Version, which is exhibiting a case made in a uncommon steel and dials with very good execution.

Tantalum is a steel we see very not often in watchmaking, regardless of its enticing color and properties. A blue-grey steel with a darker color than metal, white gold or platinum, it’s normally reserved for medical and dental functions. It’s a tough, lustrous transition steel that’s extremely corrosion-resistant. However it’s additionally extraordinarily onerous to machine. Josh explains that “tantalum may be very gummy, however onerous and dense as 18k gold, which is a humorous mixture. So it’s like platinum – solely worse.” It’s not often utilized in basic watchmaking, with solely examples by Journe (the Chronomètre Bleu), Audemars Piguet (on some restricted version Royal Oak watches) or Omega (with the well-known Tri-Metallic Seamaster).

Tantalum is right here used for the 39mm case, with a mixture of polished and brushed surfaces. Dense and onerous, it has a singular, darker blue-ish color that differs from metal or titanium, giving this watch a singular persona. It’s additionally the primary time a case in tantalum is made exterior of Switzerland. However its use isn’t solely reserved to the case, as some tantalum components have additionally been included into the dial, which is, in keeping with Josh Shapiro, a primary.

The bottom of the Infinity Tantalum Restricted Version’s dial is fabricated from stable palladium, which shows Shapiro’s intricate engine-turned patterns and a custom-made font – there are three completely different guilloche patterns on the dial. Moreover the basic barley corn, the basket weave within the centre and the ratchet sample, Shapiro has additionally created his personal sample, seen within the small seconds counter. Impressed by George Daniels’ e book, Watchmaking, he designed the Infinity weave sample, “It’s a basket weave inside a basket weave – squares inside a sq..” he explains.

Along with these patterns and the hand-executed palms with opened ideas, the second specificity of this Infinity Tantalum Restricted Version is to combine tantalum on the dial – used for the hour chapter ring and the small seconds observe. There are three completely different dials accessible. First is a pure palladium dial with tantalum chapter rings, blue enamel ink with blue metal palms. Second is a black ruthenium-coated dial with tantalum hours chapter rings, rose gold palms, seconds rings and numerals. Lastly, Shapiro gives a navy blue dial with tantalum chapter rings, blue enamel ink and metal polished palms.

Contained in the case is a widely known motion produced in Germany, the Uwd Caliber 33.1 – produced by Uhren-Werke-Dresden, sister-company of Lang & Heyne. This contemporary hand-wound motion with a big 33mm diameter is notable for its sharp, opened development with triangular bridges. Beating at 3Hz and providing 53h of energy reserve, it’s right here finely embellished with straight brushed surfaces and polished bevels. A hand-chamfered gold serial plate has been added to make the calibre distinctive.

Availability & worth

The J.N. Shapiro Infinity Tantalum Restricted Version watches are worn on alligator straps. Solely 26 watches will probably be produced (all dial colors included) and they’re accessible instantly from www.jnshapirowatches.com. The worth is ready at USD 33,000.