Shinola Watches - ever heard of them?

[Stinky The Clown]

Quite a story. I’ve known of them for a year or so. Being a bit of a watch collector I bought my first one the other day. Long story short, they’re located in Detroit. They trained young people as watchmakers. Not slave labor, but a serious skill. They’re now getting into related goods. Follow the link toward the bottom of their page to learn more. Doing good and making bank.

https://www.shinola.com

[mr_lebowski]

1. Given that everyone now has a phone, why does anyone still need a watch?

I mean I guess if you're a serious outdoors person/hiker/climber or a diver, I could see the utility for a rugged sports/diving watch, but just for day-to-day activities I'm confused why anyone still wears watches.

Not to bash on this company by any means, they sound great!

[LisaM]

3. I like having it on my wrist and not having to haul my phone out for everything.

And sometimes my phone batteries run out (not often). I actually like wearing a watch.

Shinola makes other beautiful goods too; you should see their purses.

[SoCalNative]

5. Me too

and Americans seem to be the only ones I've seen falling off the wristwatch bandwagon. Europeans still regularly wear them, even the young ones.

[mr_lebowski]

7. Huh. I guess I can see that. I personally like to carry/have/wear

the smallest amount of 'things' possible at any given moment.

What makes me happy is leaving my house wearing only Shorts, T-shirt, flip-flops (and that's literally all) ... with my car remote/key and a money clip with license/health ins card/debit card, and phone. Oh, and my reading glasses.

[Docreed2003]

16. Of course you do!

[mr_lebowski]

17. The choice of the screen handle was NOT random ;)

I have the avatar of Walter though because in this Trump era, my attitude has gotten decidedly more angry

[Docreed2003]

19. Hey...even "The Dude" gets angry

Hope you are well bro!

[mr_lebowski]

20. I am occasionally veeeeery Un-Dude ;)

Thanks, doing okay under the circumstances. Back at ya brotha!

[LisaM]

22. Another piece of this puzzle is that men's clothes have way better pockets!

I noticed that when I borrowed my boyfriend's coat to walk to the store in the snow. There was this super handy-dandy pocket on the front left side that fitted my phone perfectly! And I didn't even have to take a purse, because I could stick my wallet in this other handy-dandy pocket on the inside of the coat. So, for me, my phone is generally tucked away in my purse and checking it entails opening my purse, digging for it, checking it, putting it back......

Pocket parity is a thing! (I don't mind carrying a purse most times, but there are times I'd like a few places to stow the necessities and make them easier to get at). Unfortunately, a lot of women's clothes lack deep or hidden pockets, or just have those stupid small pockets like blue jeans have which are 1) ugly, and 2) useless.

[canetoad]

23. This very reason

I bought an anglers/hunters vest to wear when walking the dogs. A dozen pockets for leads, poo bags, glasses, camera, tissues, geologists loupe and one pocket dedicated to plastic trash I pick up on the beach! A secure zipper pocket for car keys.

[panader0]

46. I bought a loupe last year

but it wasn't for geology.

[mr_lebowski]

25. Fair enough, I see more point to a watch for women for pocket reasons :) (nt)

[LuckyCharms]

30. I got rid of my traditional wallet and got one of those

"wallets" that you stick on the back of your phone. In it, I have 2 credit cards, my medical insurance card, my driver's license, and my medicine list. I could probably fit 3 or 4 more cards in there if I had to.

For other cards such as dental insurance, auto insurance, AAA membership, and a few other things, I scanned them as a jpeg picture and stored them in my Google photos, so the pictures are instantly available on my phone if I need them.

This method is working out great since I rarely carry cash, but I have an emergency $20 bill and a few $1 bills tucked in between my phone and my phone case.

I also reduced the size of my key ring. I don't carry a house key because I use a keypad to get into my garage. If there is ever a power failure, the key pad is backed up with some small batteries. If THOSE fail because I left them in there for 5 years, I have a house key well-hidden in my neighbors garage.

So when I leave the house, I just grab my phone (which has my cards attached to it), and a small key ring. If you ever want to get one of those things you stick to your phone, get the kind that stretch...you can cram a lot of crap in there!

[mr_lebowski]

36. I like your thinking LC! Man after my own heart ...

Might have to look into one o' them wallets. I do kinda like my money clip though, it's monogrammed and a gift from a special lady ...

I actually have a thin key ring on my car remote with one key ... not my house, my office. I usually lock up at night, so ...

Then I just don't lock the door from garage to house so all I need is my garage remote to get in. I do keep a house key hidden outside though as well.

[LisaM]

37. Well, I need my house keys, a card for work, a bus pass....

not to mention my phone, also, I need some kind of comb at all times, and also a notebook to write down thoughts (I don't want to do that on my phone). I am not the type who can't go anywhere without a bottle or water, but I need to be able to stow a little bit of stuff. And I carry cash at all times.

[Raine]

35. Me too

I don't want to pull out a phone just to look at the time, too much wasted motion.

[RobinA]

45. Me Three

I guess because I'm a boomer, I'm not comfortable having my phone out all the time because it's too easy to lose that way. I've never lost a phone, or broken a phone, because it stays in my purse most of the time when I'm out. I quick glance at the wrist versus scrabbling around in the purse for the phone, turning it on, looking at the time and then making sure it is securely back in the purse. Just no.

But then, I'm a heavy traveler. The person all the the people who make a point of traveling light turn to when they actually need something. And no, I don't like that role, I'm just stuck with it because being out and not having what I need is just not the way I roll. Be Prepared is my motto!

[TreasonousBastard]

4. I wear a watch. If I want a quick check of the time, it's a lot easier than...

dragging the phone out, opening it, and reading the tiny number in the corner.

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

31. "... dragging the phone out, OPENING IT???!!"

I remember flip phones.

Do we gotta drag you, kicking and screaming, into the late twentieth century?



Yeah, I know, some flip phones still work. Mine was "analog" or something, so, adios phone.

[TreasonousBastard]

34. Huh? What else do you call pressing the on button, swiping, fingerprinting, face...

recognizing, swiping, and whatever else you do to get the damn thing working?

When you get right down to it, Android smart phones aren't really that bright. Apples aren't much smarter, just more expensive.

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

44. Ah, maybe not all phones are the same.

Mine just shows the time. "Free". No swiping, etc. To make a phone call, then yes, it requires a passcode.

Or, I can turn my left wrist and look at the Timex. That's another way I can find out what time it is. But, the phone is supposedly more accurate.

[MineralMan]

14. I have a watch. I only wear it while traveling, though.

It's a Timex. Came with a 10-year battery. When that goes, I'll buy a new one. I like having a watch while traveling because it helps me not miss flights, but that's about all.

Otherwise, I don't wear one. I don't have a schedule, normally, so exactly what time it is doesn't really matter most of the time. My stomach tells me when it's lunchtime, and that's all that matters.

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

32. I have a Timex. The face lights up when I push the stem.

It can survive water deeper than I plan on going. It cost me about $20 to replace the battery.

I have time-related obligations: meeting other geezers for breakfast or lunch, getting to a golf course or tennis court. Important stuff.

[MineralMan]

33. Yeah, my Timex lights up too.

It cost $29.95 on Amazon. After 10 years I'll buy a new one.

[Poiuyt]

24. Watches are a statement about who you are, kind of like what car you drive

Plus it's easier to check the time surreptitiously.

[Blue_true]

39. Because many people like wearing watches. nt

[TeamPooka]

41. because a watch tells time and other people what kind of person you are.

[Tommy_Carcetti]

2. Shit or Shinola? nt

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

21. Provided you can tell the difference.

[snpsmom]

6. Ex-Fossil dude

If American is defined by imperial, capitalist white supremacy, then the $700.00 watches, $1000.00 bikes, pimped through the “Made in Detroit” rhetoric is decidedly that: American. Shinola is not the first capitalist venture to promote itself as the vanguard of the 21st century American working class (the Return of Manufacturing in America) but its technique for convincing us of this reconstructive project is both racist and economically exploitative: re-settling Detroit amidst its “re-birth” (gentrification) by rapidly accumulating property while acting like its boutique scheme is a social justice campaign (appealing to the white savior-consumer complex). If you are even remotely suspicious, let alone critical of gentrification, and any capitalist project parading itself as rebirth-in-blight, then Shinola stinks like hot shit. Recently, I began a job working at an autonomous Café located inside Shinola and was shocked and disgusted with what I began to learn. I’d like to share with you my findings and ongoing investigation on this young but slimy (handsomely funded) operation.

|https://keepypsiblack.org/2016/01/15/where-american-is-made-shinola-as-neo-colonialism-in-detroit/]

[Stinky The Clown]

8. Welcome to DU. Glad you're here.

[mr_lebowski]

9. Everything can always find criticism ... nothing in the business world is above

reproach ... if someone wishes to find something to bash a business about, they can find one.

Take Ben and Jerry's in the old days. Seemingly a model company to many folks. Yet, to a militant vegan, they're shit. They keep cows locked up and harvest their milk! EVIL! Plus the cows fart up methane! Destroying the environment! Oh, and if you're Hindu? Those Holy Cows are being exploited.

There's freaking ALWAYS SOMETHING, man. Not much in this world is 100% good ... from every possible perspective you could look at it from.

[TeapotInATempest]

10. I love that they're training young watchmakers.

My father was a watchmaker - he wanted to teach my brother, who had no interest in it. It never occurred to him, apparently, to teach me (his daughter).

To this day, I LOVE watch movements and I think I might have made a good watchmaker. I'm glad to see the craft lives on.

[maxsolomon]

11. Yes.

They advertise in design magazines. They make bikes, too.

[socdem60]

12. I think watches are great.

I think for women they're like another piece of jewelry. I have an antique woman's watch from the 50's. The face is 14ct. gold, very tiny, and has a black cord feminine band. Not being waterproof I can't wear it much but I think it's lovely. On the other side of that I do like huge watches for women too. I say good for Shinola, I'm proud they decided to make Detroit their home.

[MineralMan]

13. Sure. Do you like yours?

Should I buy one?

[ok_cpu]

15. No experience with their watches

but they make great journals!

[DanTex]

18. To me, they seem pretty pricey for quartz movements.

Looks like they do make their own quartz movements in-house, but making a quartz movement doesn't require the same level of craftsmanship as a mechanical.

They have a classic automatic dive watch listed for $1,450, but that one uses a third-party Swiss movement, which again makes it pretty pricey compared to something comparable like this:
https://www.christopherward.com/watches/dive/c60-trident-pro-600-range

[Stinky The Clown]

28. Im wearing this watch right now

http://www.charleshubert.com/store/index.php/wrist-watches/charles-hubert-men-gold-plated-stainless-steel-skeleton-dial-automatic-watch-3888-a.html

Nice self winding mechanical watch.skeleton case. A real “presence” watch. Yet I t cost significantly less than a number of quartz watches I own.

[Sanity Claws]

26. Shit or Shinola?

That is what I always think when I hear the word shinola.

[bif]

27. From my hometown. Known about them for years. They make bikes, too!

In fact, there's an outlet store or two around here. They're 1/2 price or less.

[CincyDem]

29. Have a couple - love them.

Feel in love with a nice deep emerald green with matching band as my first non-digital watch in a long time. Then I got the orange face with blue/white trim in Detroit Tigers colors as a gift. Both fun to wear and good conversation pieces.

[Blue_true]

38. Yes. nt

[Spider Jerusalem]

40. Yep! Overpriced junk; you're better off getting a Seiko or Timex in terms of value for money

Their "watchmakers" are just putting twelve-dollar quartz movements into five-dollar steel cases and attaching a leather band. And they're selling a product that costs less than fifty bucks in materials and labour for over $500.

[TheBlackAdder]

42. Haven't worn a watch, unless in a suit, for almost three decades!

.

Everywhere you turn there's a clock. There's your cell phone's main display, etc.

With a good internal clock, how many times do you really need to check for the time?


What I've found was a freedom from not being burdened by checking for the time so often.

It becomes an addictive behavior that takes time to ween from (pardon the pun).

Once free, the is a sense of relaxation.

.

[Boxerfan]

43. If it is not a mechanical movement they are assemblers-not watchmakers.

America for years made mechanical timepieces that were held in very high regard.

The whole industry basically crashed when the quartz watch became cheap & absolutely kept better time for a far lower price.

I think that's a shame as far as the level of skilled craft work we lost.

I happened on the fact that the pocket watch market had fallen on its face a while back. I was trying to restore my Wife's heirloom but could not afford a expert.. I found a replacement movement in almost new condition that ran perfectly-for what I consider a bargain.

Turns out high gold prices have made the movements of a lot of watches "orphans" on the island of misfit watches. I try to buy non running projects and it has turned into a hobby for me to restore them. I learned everything on the internet.

There are a few boutique watch makers left in the USA & many more overseas. I refuse to wear a quartz watch & carry a pocket watch pretty much always. And I hate cellphones-don't own one. My wife & kids have them I'd rather not have a "nanny brick". And get off my lawn right?

But here's the shocker. As usual the Chinese have made copies of most anything well made. And while most experts will turn the nose up high at mere mention-they are typically very good.

And I bought a $22.00 beater automatic mechanical watch from Besos inc and I'm kinda shocked by how good it is-at the price point. The band was a pain to size & the Pepsi fake but functional bezel is a tad askew. But it keeps time like a Rolex. I have a timing machine and maybe it is a fluke but in all "positions" it retains very near zero error. It is almost unheard of.

I'm not sure if they have a very clever machine that does the "poise" on the balance wheel automatically-but it would take me several days and many headaches from eye strain getting even close to that on a typical Railroad grade watch.

And if it breaks only a fool like me would work on it. Just buy another.

I see the problem it creates in that you can not compete with that. And for a item relegated to snobbery and toy use-not worth trying IMHO.

Ok-that's a reality bite. Or bitten.

These guys are assembling parts made elsewhere and hey they make the cases good for them. But they are not "watchmakers".

THIS is a Watchmaker.

[kcr]

47. I have heard of them, but didn't know the backstory

I saw an ad once and their name caught my eye. I'm definitely going to give them a second look. Glad to see they're doing well.

[eppur_se_muova]

48. Huh. They bought the name from the defunct shoe polish company.

Enough people know the phrase "don't know shit from Shinola" that I would think that wouldn't be the best marketing choice ...

[Ron Obvious]

49. Well, I learnt a new definition for the word "Movement" today, anyway.

Several posters used it above, and I don't think I'd ever heard it used in that context before.

I don't wear a watch. I've long ago even lost the tan line.