J.N. Shapiro - The Geneva Watch Auction: XVII Geneva Saturday, May 13, 2023 | Phillips
  • Manufacturer: J.N. Shapiro
    Year: 2021
    Movement No: 20
    Model Name: Infinity
    Material: Stainless Steel
    Calibre: Manual, cal. UWD, 19 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Leather
    Clasp/Buckle: Stainless Steel Shapiro pin buckle
    Dimensions: 40mm Diameter
    Signed: Cased, dial, movement and buckle signed
    Accessories: Accompanied by Warranty card dated 04th October, 2021, leather card holder and fitted box.

  • Catalogue Essay

    California based, Joshua Shapiro with his eponymous brand has single-handedly put America back on the watchmaking map. A high school principal based out of Los Angeles, his love for mechanics and watchmaking pushed him during his free time to study at the British Horological Institute for seven years learning watchmaking and guillochage.

    Extremely skilled and talented, in 2018 Shapiro launched his brand specialising in timepieces featuring his newly invented guilloché pattern that he calls the Infinity, something that was not done in decades. Based on fractals, his new guilloché pattern features a series of repeating patterns within repeating patterns. With all the markings on the dial hand engraved, and then filled with ink, each dial takes a whole month to complete. Quite notably, the font used for the Arabic numerals was especially created for the present timepiece.

    No longer in production, the case was available in five different metals. According to our research, 100 Infinity examples were produced, with only 33 made in stainless steel, like the present example.

    Whilst the dial is a tribute to late 17th century watches, the movement is resolutely contemporary and is sourced from Uhren-Werke Dresden (UWD), a sister company of independent watchmaker Lang & Heyne. Architecturally stunning, it features open-worked bridges, an adjustable mass balance wheel and a swan’s neck regulator index. Finally, an 18K yellow gold serial number plate made in Los Angeles finishes off the movement.

    Most probably unique in this configuration, in excellent condition and with its full set of accessories, the present Infinity numbered 20 represents a fantastic opportunity to own a timepiece from one of the spear heads of the rebirth of American independent horology.

28

A very attractive and possibly unique stainless steel wristwatch with a superb hand guilloché dial, warranty card and box

2021
40mm Diameter
Cased, dial, movement and buckle signed

Estimate
CHF10,000 - 20,000 
€10,400-20,800
$11,400-22,800

Sold for CHF24,130

Contact Specialist

Alexandre Ghotbi
Head of Watches, Continental Europe and the Middle East

+41 79 637 17 24
AGhotbi@phillips.com

Tiffany To
Head of Sale, Geneva

+41 79 460 55 88
TiffanyTo@phillips.com

The Geneva Watch Auction: XVII

Geneva Auction 13 - 14 May 2023