16/06/2026
🚨 New Watch Alert: The J.N. Shapiro Radiant - a monopusher chronograph connected to aerospace 🪐
J.N. Shapiro announces the Radiant, the latest model in the brand’s Infinity Series. Featuring a monopusher chronograph, aerospace-inspired materials, and rare meteorite elements, the Radiant reflects both Southern California’s aerospace heritage and J.N. Shapiro’s continued growth as one of America’s leading independent watchmakers.
The Radiant brings together tantalum, zirconium, and meteorite in a watch that emphasizes both precision engineering and traditional finishing. Produced in a first run of 75 pieces, deliveries are scheduled to begin in Q2 2026. “This watch is really born out of collector requests,” says Josh Shapiro, founder and CEO of J.N. Shapiro Watches. “Following a sold-out bespoke series for Collective Horology in 2020, we’ve had people asking us to do something in meteorite again, and our Infinity Series incorporating tantalum in 2021 has inspired a lot of requests for tantalum. We’ve also been enjoying working with zirconium, so we brought all of those elements together into this Infinity Series.”
The Radiant takes its name from both light and radiation—two meanings that directly inform the watch’s design. Tantalum and zirconium, used extensively in aerospace engineering, are selected for their performance properties, including radiation absorption for satellites and structural stability. Combined with meteorite—material literally from space—the Radiant reflects J.N. Shapiro’s roots in Southern California’s aerospace ecosystem. “Our workshop is located in one of the largest aerospace manufacturing hubs in the world,” says Shapiro. “Companies like SpaceX, Boeing, Northrop, and JPL are all nearby. This watch is a nod to that environment, using space-age metals and meteorite to reflect where we come from and what inspires us.”
The Radiant will be available in two dial configurations, each highlighting different material expressions.
Variation one:
• Meteorite center dial (Gibeon meteorite)
• Guilloché meteorite 30-minute counter
• Heat-blued zirconium chapter ring
• Engraved numerals and indices post-heat treatment
• Heat-blued hands
Variation two:
• Guilloché blued zirconium center dial
• Matching blued zirconium subdial
• Polished steel hands
Both versions feature engraving performed after heat treatment—an extremely demanding process. “It’s very difficult,” says Shapiro. “You have to get the color perfect with the heat treatment, and then the engraving has to be flawless. You can’t clean it up later. There’s no margin for error.”
The meteorite version of the Radiant incorporates Gibeon meteorite, prized for its tight crystalline structure and distinctive Widmanstätten pattern. “It’s extremely rare and expensive,” says Shapiro. “But we’re able to source it through collectors and auctions. It’s difficult to find, but we keep our ear to the ground.” Gibeon meteorite is no longer exported from Namibia, making existing material particularly valuable and increasingly difficult to obtain.
Zirconium plays a central role in the Radiant’s aesthetic and technical identity. Heat-treated zirconium produces a naturally formed oxide layer, creating deep blue tones without paint or coating. “We try whenever possible not to use paint or plating,” explains Shapiro. “The blue color comes purely from heat. It’s lightweight, engraves beautifully, and offers a full spectrum of colors depending on treatment.” The material’s combination of visual appeal and technical performance makes zirconium an increasingly important part of J.N. Shapiro’s material palette.
The Radiant is powered by the La Joux-Perret 5000-4 monopusher chronograph movement, originally developed by F.P. Journe for Cartier and now produced by La Joux-Perret. Only a limited number of brands currently utilize this caliber, enhancing the Radiant’s exclusivity. “This movement is very special,” says Shapiro. “Only a few brands are using it, and it allows us to create a classical monopusher chronograph in a slim, elegant format.”
The Radiant arrives during a period of growth for J.N. Shapiro. The company now operates from a 7,000- square-foot workshop in Torrance, California, with a team that has doubled in size over the past year. The brand is expanding its retail footprint while maintaining a direct-to-collector approach. “We’ve been growing steadily,” says Shapiro. “Our high-end line, which features movements made entirely in-house, now has a multi-year wait list. We plan to expand the line in the coming years and want to add a 36mm ladies’ piece. The Infinity Series allows us to serve more customers while maintaining our standards, and the Radiant line could be a permanent one.”
This strategy mirrors the brand’s long-term commitment to American watchmaking—an approach previously demonstrated with the Resurgence, the first modern mechanical wrist watch to be truly produced in the United States.
The Radiant will launch with 75 pieces, with plans for a potential second run depending on demand. “The first run will be 75 pieces total,” says Shapiro. “We plan to do a second run as well, with deliveries in Q3 2026.”
Each watch will be delivered on an alligator leather strap, with an optional AHA tantalum bracelet available separately. Ace Jewelers are the exclusive retailers of J.N. Shapiro in Europe and will have both watches in-stock.
Technical specifications:
Case
• Diameter: 38.0mm
• Thickness: 9.6mm (8.2mm without crystal)
• Lug to lug: 43.9mm
• Lug spacing: 20mm
• Material: Tantalum
• Water resistance: 50m
Dial options
• Meteorite with blued zirconium chapter ring and blued hands
• Guilloché blued zirconium dial and chapter ring with polished steel hands
Movement
• Caliber: La Joux-Perret 5000-4
• Complication: Monopusher Chronograph with 30-minute counter
• Power reserve: 38 hours
• Manual winding
• Thickness: 4.2mm
• Jewels: 23
Pricing and availability
• Price: Watch with leather strap EUR 36.600 incl. VAT / EUR 30.248 excl. VAT
• Deposit: 50% upon order
• Optional extra: AHA tantalum bracelet EUR13.200 incl. VAT / EUR 10.909 excl. VAT (Watch with AHA Tantalum strap EUR 49.800 incl. VAT / EUR 41.157 excl. VAT
• Delivery: Beginning Q2 2026
• First run: 75 pieces total
