It Came From Outer Space: The Infinity Series P.01 From J.N. Shapiro For Collective
The upstart American brand collaborated with the Silicon Valley collector group Collective on a now sold-out piece that has rocked collectors.
By Rhonda Riche
Editor-At-Large
One of the reasons that watchmakers and enthusiasts alike have embraced meteorite dials is that extraterrestrial materials make any timepiece inherently one-of-a-kind. But one of the reasons watchmakers don’t often use these minerals is that they are incredibly difficult to work with.
This is why the new Infinity Series P.01 from California-based J.N. Shapiro is so very covetable. This watch, a collaboration with the global watch enthusiast community Collective (read HERE), features an intricate, engine-turned meteorite dial, hand-finished in Founder Josh Shapiro’s Los Angeles atelier.
But that’s not all that’s appealing about the Infinity Series P.01.
New Traditionalist
Indie watchmaker Josh Shapiro is the kind of watchmaker that keeps haute horology on its toes. Already possessing a lifelong obsession with mechanical watches, after reading George Daniels’ classic book, Watchmaking, Shapiro became obsessed with the craft of watchmaking, especially engine-turning – the fine art of engraving fine geometric patterns onto metal.
With the Infinity Series, Shapiro set out to create an American mechanical watch that was both simple and elegant while reviving the rich history of engine-turned dials. Shapiro also hand finishes the case and movement and individually crafts the hands and serial plate. This intensive process is a labor of love, and each watch takes hundreds of hours to complete.
The Infinity Series P.01 is powered by a hand-wound Uhren Werke Dresden 19 jewel manual wind movement, which beats at 3 Hz and a very reassuring 54-hour reserve.
The Stone Age
For the next step in J.N. Shapiro’s evolution, what better way to celebrate the past and build for the future than by using a 4 billion-year-old meteorite as inspiration?
While the dial is designed to highlight the unique crystalline structure of the meteorite, it also features J.N. Shapiro’s signature “Infinity Weave” pattern. Additional details include a hand-painted chapter ring with a custom typeface and individually heat-blued steel hands. The lucky owner of one of these handsome pieces can also opt to have their name inscribed on the dial.
As inventive as the Infinity Series P.01 is, it still wears like a classic dress watch. The case, available in steel, white gold, or rose gold, is a very wearable 40mm (47mm lug to lug) and 9.75mm thick. And it is set on a sumptuous alligator leather strap with a pin buckle.
Membership Has Its Privileges
J.N. Shapiro’s attention to detail is catnip to collectors. And the Infinity Series P.01 was designed specifically for the global watch enthusiast community Collective.
Founded by childhood friends Asher Rapkin and Gabe Reilly, Collective was created as a friendly space for amicable discussions about watches and watchmaking. The group’s first partnership was last year’s Zenith Chronomaster El Primero C.01 (read more HERE).
Building on the success of that release, Collective has introduced the new ‘Portfolio Series,’ and the P.01 is the first of an ongoing run of unique, limited edition watches from independent watch manufacturers like J.N. Shapiro.
These editions will only be available to new or existing members of Collective. Priced from $21,500 for the stainless steel model, the 10 pieces of the Infinity Series P.01 are, sadly, already sold out.
For more information on joining Collective, click HERE.
(Images provided by J.N. Shapiro)