The J.N. Shapiro Infinity Series Radiant Tantalum Monopusher Chronograph

In just a few years, J.N. Shapiro, initially a niche American independent focused on exceptional guilloché dials, has become one of the most ambitious names in contemporary American watchmaking.  Founder Josh Shapiro’s Resurgence project demonstrated that high-end mechanical horology can once again be produced in the United States, and the Infinity Series has allowed him to explore rare materials, unconventional aesthetics and more accessible production models. The latest addition to this collection, the new Infinity Series Radiant, offers a combination of aerospace-inspired materials, meteorite elements and a slim monopusher chronograph movement, one our readers are quite familiar with.

The Radiant arrives at an important moment for J.N. Shapiro. The company has recently expanded into a 650-square-meter facility in Torrance, California, while continuing to develop both its American-made high-end watches and the Infinity Series collection. The Radiant, according to J.N. Shapiro, takes inspiration from Southern California’s aerospace industry, which surrounds the brand’s workshop in Torrance. The model’s name refers to both light and radiation, and this is reflected in the choice of materials. Tantalum and zirconium, both widely used in aerospace applications, are paired with Gibeon meteorite to create a watch that bridges traditional craftsmanship and modern engineering.

The case is crafted from brushed tantalum, a dense and highly corrosion-resistant metal with a distinctive blue-grey appearance. Measuring 38mm in diameter, 9.6mm in thickness and 43.9mm lug-to-lug, the proportions are quite restrained for a chronograph. Water-resistance is 50m.

Two dial executions will be available. The first, and the more dramatic of the pair, combines a central dial made from genuine Gibeon meteorite with a guilloché-finished 30-minute counter in meteorite. Surrounding it is a heat-blued zirconium chapter ring, engraved after the heat-treatment process. Matching heat-blued hands complete the display.

The second version replaces the meteorite surfaces with a fully guilloché blued zirconium dial and matching sub-counter. Here, polished steel hands provide contrast against the deep blue tones created through heat treatment.

The watch is powered by the hand-wound La Joux-Perret 5000-4 monopusher chronograph calibre, a movement used by Angelus in the “La Fabrique” collection, and that we’ve used in our Montre de Souscription 5. It traces its origins back to the chronograph movement developed by François-Paul Journe and Denis Flageollet during their time at THA in the 1990s, later evolving through Jaquet SA before becoming La Joux-Perret. Known for its compact dimensions and elegant construction, the movement allows the Radiant to retain its slim profile while offering the appeal of a column-wheel monopusher chronograph.

The calibre features a 30-minute chronograph counter, is equipped with 23 jewels, has an operating frequency of 21,600 vibrations/hour, and a power reserve of 38 hours. While not a newly developed movement, it remains one of the more interesting hand-wound monopusher chronograph calibres available today, thanks to its pedigree, compactness and relative rarity.

The J.N. Shapiro Infinity Series Radiant will be produced as an initial run of 75 pieces, with deliveries expected to begin in Q2 2026. The two executions will be offered on an alligator leather strap, with an optional AHA tantalum bracelet available separately. Price is USD 35,900 before taxes and duties, and the tantalum bracelet adds USD 12,950. For orders (50% deposit required) and details, visit jnshapirowatches.com.