Introducing the J.N. Shapiro Resurgence, bringing high-end watchmaking back to America

J.N. Shapiro has just introduced his most remarkable watch yet, the Resurgence, boasting an entirely American-made case, dial, and movement.

J.N. Shapiro Resurgence

Educator-turned-watchmaker, Josh Shapiro, founder of the eponymous J.N. Shapiro, has recently introduced his most remarkable product yet, the Resurgence. As a successor to the Infinity lineup, which was best known for its guilloché dial, the Resurgence takes it to the next level by introducing an all-American case, dial, and movement, creating a watch that brings high-end artisinal watchmaking back to America, and lives up to its aspirational name. And the entire watch proudly bears the intricate patterns that made the J.N. Shapiro famous in the first place.

The Low-Down

In his latest creation, Shapiro demonstrates a refined application of guilloché craftsmanship, taking the traditional patterning technique beyond the dial and extending it to the case. The case band is now adorned with an engine-turned pattern that mirrors the design on the dial, resulting in a harmonious and unified aesthetic. Notably, the case lugs are securely fastened to the mid case, ensuring a seamless continuation of the guilloché pattern without any disruption. Additionally, the independent case band design offers the possibility of a two-tone construction using different materials upon request, providing a clean-cut look.

J.N. Shapiro Resurgence

While Mr. Shapiro’s guilloché work, exemplified by the highly intricate Infinity weave, has already reached an advanced stage, he continues to push the boundaries of his art. This is evident in the latest dial construction of the Resurgence. Unlike typical guilloché watches that may feature different patterns on the same dial, the Resurgence takes an unusual approach. Its dial is composed of multiple layers, resulting in a stepped appearance that enhances the sense of depth. The combination of the stepped construction and the guilloché pattern creates two distinct visual interests, adding to its overall appeal.

J.N. Shapiro Resurgence

But the most significant highlight of the Resurgence is its movement, which showcases J.N. Shapiro was not just an extraordinary guillocheur, but also a skilled watchmaker. Mr. Shapiro’s dedication to developing their own movements and crafting their own components is evident throughout. With the exception of hairsprings, mainsprings, and jewels, the workshop produces everything in-house, including pinions, wheels, and bridges. This approach allows for maximum expression of the brand’s vision. Interestingly, the Resurgence sets itself apart by offering three distinct bridge layouts, a rarity in the world of watchmaking.

J.N. Shapiro Resurgence

IMHO

The Resurgence exudes a refined aesthetic throughout its entirety, captivating with meticulous details that offer endless delight upon closer inspection. The watch showcases an all-new dial, case, and movement, adorned with exquisite patterning. While the beauty of Mr. Shapiro’s guilloche work requires no further elaboration, special attention must be given to the movement’s finishing. Notably, the revival of Damaskeening on the bridges is a remarkable feat, a wavy pattern serving as the American counterpart to Côtes de Genève. J.N. The brand’s dedication to craftsmanship is evident in the meticulously polished anglage along the bridges and the spokes of the wheels, further contributing to the artistry on display.

J.N. Shapiro Resurgence

The Resurgence stands out not only for its visual appeal but also for its production methods. It is impressive that the founder has made substantial investments in developing a majority of the watch’s components in-house, meeting the stringent criteria for the “U.S. Made” label. Notably, while there are other fine American watchmakers, this marks the first “U.S. Made” mechanical watch since 1969 when the American watch factory Hamilton ceased operations. While other brands, like RGM, make a similar amount of their watch in the States, they do not meet the strict FTC standards for U.S. Made. In fact, J.N. Shapiro’s approach to movement manufacturing demonstrates thoroughness, surpassing that of many Swiss independent watchmakers. For instance, it manufactures the pinions themselves, despite being a component that remains unseen. Additionally, instead of ordering a completed balance assembly, they obtain a raw, flat hairspring from a Swiss supplier and shape it into an over-coil before fitting it onto their own balance. Currently, progress is being made towards producing jewels and hairsprings within the United States by the time of production.

Tech Specs

J.N. Shapiro Resurgence

Movement: Resurgence; manual; 48 hours power reserve
Functions: Hours, minutes, and seconds
Case: 38 x 8.7 mm; steel, tantalum, zirconium, 18k rose or white gold; water resistant to 30 m
Strap: Leather strap
Availability: Limited to about 30 watches per year
Price: In  steel or zirconium, USD 70,000; in tantalum, USD 80,000; in 18k gold; USD 85,000

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