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.
