American Watch Industry's Revival and the Dramatic Transformation of Seiko

The U.S. watch industry is pulsating anew, courtesy of dedicated artisans at the forefront, exemplified by Josh Shapiro at J.N. Shapiro and Zach Smith at Inside Hour Precision. In light of recent tariff-induced turmoil, American-origin watchmaking has garnered renewed interest. This emergence became serendipitous for Los Angeles-based brand J.N. Shapiro, who successfully launched the Infinity timepiece, following up from 2023’s Resurgence. Despite incorporating Swiss Made La Joux-Perret’s movement, the Infinity meets the complex ‘Made in USA’ FTC standards, making it profoundly American. The craft of Shapiro gets splendidly showcased in Teddy Baldassare’s insightful behind-the-scenes video.

Meanwhile, Smith carries forward the revival, crafting vital watch components in his Ohio-based shop, Inside Hour Precision. His contribution is paving the way for a made-in-America, mass-market watch movement, adding impetus to the rejuvenation of U.S. watchmaking.