Los Angeles-based independent watchmaker J.N. Shapiro expands its Infinity series by adding 39mm tantalum cases to existing Infinity models cased in gold and steel.

Tantalum, a hard grey metal usually found in medical applications, is used only rarely used in watchmaking, especially outside of Switzerland.

In addition, the company, led by watchmaker Josh Shapiro, will be adding three new dial variations to the classically styled dress watch collection. These are:

— Untreated palladium dial with tantalum chapter rings, blue enamel ink with blue steel hands

— Black ruthenium dial with tantalum hours chapter rings, rose gold hands, seconds rings and numerals

— Navy blue dial with tantalum chapter rings, blue enamel ink and steel polished hands.

Shapiro, who 
has been making watches from his California studio since 2013, reports that the same tooling that allows him to create cases also allows him to create tantalum chapter rings in-house.

The Infinity Tantalum Limited Edition’s palladium dial showcases Shapiro’s engine-turned patterns and a custom-made font.

The German-made Uwd 33-1 movement from Uhren-Werke-Dresden powers all the new models, which Shapiro decorates with a hand-chamfered gold serial plate.

Proceeds from the sale of the Infinity Tantalum Limited Edition will go to the Juvenile Diabetes Association to support their research into type 1 juvenile diabetes.

Source: J.N. Shapiro

Specifications: J.N. Shapiro Infinity Tantalum Limited Edition

(Limited edition of 26)

Case: 39mm tantalum

Dial: Palladium with tantalum chapter ring.

Movement: Manual-wind, Uwd Caliber 33.1 (Uhren Werke Dresden), 53-hour power reserve,
21,600 BPH (3Hz), stop seconds, Water resistant to 30 meters.

Bracelet: Alligator strap

Price: $33,000.