You sound like a 1920s gangster. "Gotcha cop'ah"

I like that you're a straight up shooter Nick. A lot of guys start out this way, but then they start getting sent free items. Hopefully your shtick doesn't change. cheers

The phrase "can't tell shit from Shinola" has never been more true.

NAIED IT! Being an avid cyclist I've always been a fan of Shinola but I've never been able to push myself to pull the trigger on one of their watches. I own their Benchmade colab knife, which I think is pretty cool for what it is - but IMO they charge way too much for Quartz watches. Seconds hand that doesn't align with markers is one of my biggest pet peeve - it drives me NUTS! I have a Luminox that's like that it is pisses me off every time I wear it - even if I don't look at the seconds hand all the time, knowing it's off just saddens me on a watch that expensive.

Ok Nick, you just blew my mind on your honesty! Wow! I guess thats why I love watching your reviews. Keep up the great reviews and I'll always watch them. Cheers my friend.

Before watching this review I didn’t know sh!t from Shinola, but now I realize there may not be much of a difference.

$750 for a quartz watch with mediocre everything? If I want to spend that much on a quartz ( and I might) I'll buy a Casio Oceanus, and get a butt-load of cool features on a great looking watch.

You articulated many of my own thoughts about Shinola. But you much were nicer about it than I am feeling. These are $700+ fashion watches with mediocre movements, mediocre bands, average battery life, a crappy warranty, and minimal complications. I cannot even justify the price that DW, The5th and MVMT charge for their shitty watches at $100-$250, so I sure as fuck cannot wrap my head around these watches costing 3-5 times more. I'm not paying $400 more for a sapphire crystal. Which seems to be the only difference. And why should i? Oh yeah, Detroit...good old Detroit. That's not marketing, it's exploitation. Even without the Detroit stuff, they market their watches like they're heritage brand timepieces. To wit : "Built to last, and named accordingly, a timepiece built for life from the finest components available in the world." is the first sentence on the page for the new Runwell. "...built for life from the finest components available..." Are you fucking kidding me?! That's just a fucking lie. I hate this company, and I am not rooting for them. I am not rooting for a bunch of douchebags who are good at marketing to get rich by selling a 30 dollar watch for 600 bucks. Fuck em, I hope they fail.

It's seems like a Timex for the best part of a grand.

Metro Detroiter here... I agree with you regarding their value. I might pay a premium for a locally built watch but I certainly wouldn't if it wasn't a quality piece. I hope they improve the quality as time goes on.

Quite a shame. Slick glitzy marketing will make for profits in the short term but only well crafted products will keep it going. I won't get into the politics, but this is what happened to the big 3 automakers which were the "engine" of Detroit. Hopefully the Shinola people will see this video and take the constructive criticism to heart. Well done, Nick.

Looks like a Panerai Radomir knock off

Like the idea of Shinola being made in Detroit but definitely over priced for what one gets.Better off getting Seiko SARB or Tissot PRC for half the price and twice the quality.

Going by what I hear about Shinola, I wouldn't have even bought a knife. They really don't sound like a company that makes products you can depend on, especially for the price. Thanks for the review!

totally overpriced. If I'm looking for a charity, I don't buy a watch

"Shinola" is a euphemism for "shitty."

Wow, for $700 they could at least line up the hands with the markers. Not bad designs though. I hadn't heard of Shinola until now so thanks for showing it! Great video as always.

On point...thanks for the great review. That was the same way I felt when I looked at them, for 800 bucks I should at least get a nice Seiko or Miyota automatic movement. If I want quartz, for a 100 bucks I'll stick with Timex at least I know what I'm getting, and its not that bad. Plus you get a light!

That's why you buy them at TJ Maxx.

I agree, the price is over the top. I can get a good Seiko for that price and they are mostly automatic.

Found a Filson scout at TJ Maxx for $139. Do you recommend one at that price?

You are officially the nicest watch reviewer of a Shinola.

That was a great review. I love his sincere desire to "help the home team." I hope the people at Shinola see this review and take to heart his legitimate criticism and dial up the quality along with giving some features because a whole bunch of folks feel the same way, i.e. we want VERY MUCH to buy products that say Made/Built In Detroit on them, but we expect to get quality in return for our money and loyalty (instead of feeling like we're supposed to accept being snookered into receiving over-priced junk). I really admire the heck out of Mr. Shabazz's reviews because I learn a lot from them and, too, he just has a nice was of saying what he likes and doesn't like about things without being a jerk about it.

Thank you for sharing your thoughts on Shinola. It looks like that everything seems to be done half-hearted and half-baked done. That is really unfortunate. I was looking into Shinloa as welll but I couldn't get enough information on them in Euope - so I wasn't sure in what I am going to invest into and didn't buy a piece.

Thanks for honest review.

Nick, agree with you as usual. Only a putz would pay over $300 for a Shinola watch. What in the world do their watches offer that make their prices reasonable? The feel like a re-labeled Fossil watch.

I totally agree with your opinion on how to make this brand much better. Good points. Thank you.

Haha the seconds hand not lining up with the markers on quartz watches is a huge pet peeve of mine also! Casio is good about this, even on their cheaper watches! I have a duro and g shock that both line up perfectly. Shinola needs to get their shit together!

There is a shinola outlet store at Great Lakes crossing outlet mall, not too far from Detroit. Got a shinola raw leather wallet for 40 wouldn't pay the normal 200 for it.

Nick. You have your way of directing what you want at a product line, company or a piece. Saw the Oceanus. I have one of those. It is because I saw your couple of videos on the watch. I'm really glad I got it and the fact that it keeps incredible time is great. I have traveled to Italy to visit my grandfather's home town, one of the tiniest in Italy (Mom's side). I don't like traveling all that much so the easily changeable time zones is not a big deal to me. I like the design; I like the polishing on the case and the crystal and I like that the date went from Feb 28 to March 1 by itself. However, the Oceanus second hand does not hit its markers all of the time. Within just two or three revolutions of the second hand around the face of the Oceanus, it misses the second indicators or markers several times every three minutes. I checked my Tag Heuer F-1 watch: same problem. My one solar powered Seiko: same problem. I checked my Invicta Lupah and although it did really good for a time, it too started to go off markers. Strangely, a watch I bought at a Porsche dealer that was in a glass display case called a, "911," did in fact have a consistency, nearly hitting ever marker, every time. It's moving sub-dial did the same thing. The watch states Swiss Made and is a Chronograph. It is water resistant to 100 meters. It has a fairly simple watch face considering that it has three sub-dials. It has ten index marks every five seconds and has no numerals on it other than in the date window which is at the 4.5 watch position, which I think is a less common location than perhaps the three o'clock watch position for the date. I have found that your presentations are instructive and that their quality changes & evolves. But what do I know? I'm just some odd Duck.

The Timex Weekender is charming because it's a $20 watch. Once it becomes $700, all charm is lost.

I received a $900 titanium runwell with the 5000 series movement as a gift this week. I would not have paid $900, but it’s a great watch, much better quality materials than the average $2-300 watches I’ve owned. Plus it looks good. Basically, would I pay the full price? no. Is it a really nice watch? Yep. Plus the marketing and Detroit ties are enough for me, especially when we are talking such a small amount of money at sub $1000

Great review!

I have a Deep Blue diver's watch, had to wait a long time to find it on sale, I love it.

You are good, Nick, very good. I love your reviews. Congratulations.

Nick, I bought a 47mm Runwell for $250 at the Shinola Outlet in Auburn Hills. I love the watch. It looks great and i get plenty of compliments. I think you would agree at that price, it is a great deal. They have many to choose from. $200-$400!

Shinola almost sounds like an allegory for the 70’s domestic auto industry. Expensive cars that underperform and are outdone by imports which are cheaper and more efficient. Hometown loyalty can only get you so much if you can’t deliver value!

Nick, would love to see a review of Detroit Watch Company 1701 Automatic. Awesome company and awesome watches.

Does some of this apply to the Cincinnati watch company as well?

I had the same conclusion without much watch knowledge at the time. I still wanted one to support Detroit and ended up getting that black Runwell on eBay for a more much more appropriate price. It does have a quick change date. Most people have never heard of it. When they see the name “Shinola”, it’s always interesting to talk about the brand’s use as a shoe polish and the origin of that famous phrase. No complaints about the watch. I’ve worn it occasionally for years now and it still runs and looks fine. Now that they are making some Automatics, I may look for one, but I believe those are even more over priced, but at a higher level. I even stopped by the Detroit store on a trip up state.

Excellent review sir.

The Ronda Swiss movement is pure Chinese. Swatch only has to claim a sixty percent Swiss VALUE to claim Swiss made. That's easy as everything is more expensive in Switzerland compared to China. I looked seriously at Shinola a couple years ago and steered clear. Who makes the cases? The price of these should be half.

Entry level Citizen quartz under $100 blows this away.

No waterproof fashion watches?UH FOSSIL.

I couldn't agree with you more. I'll take the Casio or Citizen any time in preference.

What is your $500 watch at ~3:00? It looks quite nice.

Nick: To say that thermo-compensation allows +- 5 seconds a year is a marketing stretch, it’s more like +-10 seconds a year in real life and once the watch has a few years of use. Only real nerds glorify that level of exactitude. Try the Citizen CTQ57-0953 Chronomaster. But if you really want or need precision, buy an atomic radio controlled watch.

i do not understad how that sales woman can look at you as if you are insane! But I DO find it to be insane to think a customer should have the same quality expectation in a 700 $ Watch as he would have in 30 $ One !!!

I wouldn't buy a $25 Casio if the hands didn't line up with the markers. True story.

marketing goes a lot further than hard work and morals now adays.

They all LOOK good, but seems like someone at shinola is gonna get slapped with a copywrite lawsuit.

That Casio Oceanus looks stunning ❤️❤️❤️

Why on earth do you haters of this brand always compare Shinola MSRPs only against other brands' actual street prices? Who is buying a Seiko SKX for $425 or an SRP for $525? Bulova's MSRPs are several hundred PERCENT above their actual street prices. Shinola has no problem selling their watches at full price in their stores to the people who do necessarily care much about the price. But for anyone that does care, you can shop around and find discounted Shinolas all over the place at 50% off or more (Nordstrom rack, Hautelook, TJ Maxx, etc.). So now try comparing that "$700 watch," which is more like a $300-400 watch, to watches in that price range.

You made some very good points. Far too expensive for what it is and too much competition at that price range.

Great review Nick! I am from Detroit, but Shinola is just nothing but hype. For 700 bucks you really expect some decent quality. There are many watches at less than half the price that are of much better quality with more features.

I would love to buy one of these and throw my support behind Detroit, but my goodness, they're out of my price range. :( Nice watches through.

I spent $400 on a tissot quartz watch, that had some gold plating too, probably won't spend that much on a quartz watch again...

A 700$ quartz and the second hand doesn't align to the marker? Seriously? Thanks for pointing this out Nick. Great review (of an overpriced watch)

While I do appreciate the desire to bring labor back to American cities, I'm irritated that, because American made goods are as much of a fad now as anything, some folks are capitalizing on it. I understand that an American made item may cost 15-20% more than something assembled/manufactured overseas, but to increase prices an ADDITIONAL 20-30% because people are buying American... won't that drive business back out of the country? I'd certainly pay a LOT more, hundreds more, for Shinola than I have on Timex over the years, but I agree with Nick, none of his complaints are hair-splitting for $700.

I will say I've purchased 2 seikos and a graf zeppelin in the past month, all of which came with seconds hands unaligned. It really ticks me off because timepieces are meant to keep accurate time and if markers are off it's not doing the one job it had. Also getting them fixed will cost more than the watches themselves as watch companies only cover internal movements, not the dial itself

great review

id buy a casio gshock gsteel carbon edition if i ever wanted a quartz, just saying

I can't remember if if way you or someone else, but there's a video with TGV where he's discussing Shinola watches with a guest (possibly you), and they were joking about it sounding like a 30's gangster term for money; "Hey Joey, where's my Shinola"

I see a nod to the industrial side of Detroit in their some of their aesthetic design.

I actually find some of Shinola's stuff quite nice. I could forgive the quartz movement but if they're asking what they're asking for those watches I'll honestly have to walk away. I think I can get as much joy from quartz Invicta pieces for a lot less money. Yes I love Invicta. I don't like their crazy gaudy monstrosities but they also make a lot of watches with restrained, pleasant styling. Those are worth a look.

I've seen a number of their watches at Nordstrom rack for 300$. At that price point, does your opinion on these watches change? I don't remember the models, which I know is important, but more in general.

What about the Monster line with Swiss automatic movements. Not enough homework I'm sorry.

I like the fact that he gave objective reasons why these watches are overpriced. Many videos I've seen just say the movement is cheap and let it go at that.

Mine is definitely off the marker!

Agree with this review. I bought a Shinola watch to support Detroit and it’s just OK. Prefer my old school Movado and even better is my late ‘60s Omega Seamaster from my dad that I had restored.

The water resistance ratings aren't very good either

What is your accent? I know it's American but where is it from?

You are right on the money.

I went to a Shinola dealer and the chronograph I liked had a chrono hand that reset to 59 instead of 0. Kind of silly for a $700 quartz haha

dude, god bles U for Ur honest words, one can get a mechanical hamilton 4 half less

While I do appreciate the desire to bring labor back to American cities, I'm irritated that, because American made goods are as much of a fad now as anything, some folks are capitalizing on it. I understand that an American made item may cost 15-20% more than something assembled/manufactured overseas, but to increase prices an ADDITIONAL 20-30% because people are buying American... won't that drive business back out of the country?

I can buy 15 analog Timex watches (40mm to 42mm) for one Shinola and get the same second hand action :)

You're definitely wrong about the date feature. You can use the crown to easily adjust the date.

Bulova has a watch similar to the first one you show. (Black and brown straps). And I think, Bulova is better brand than those Shinola.

coming straight out of detroit sweat shop

Shinola watches cannot be bought by most Detroiters. Their prices a far above than what they are worth. Shinola will be the trend for the moment, and what they sell them for speeds up their undertaking.

It’s hard to believe that Shinola has gotten away with charging $500-1000 for a shitty quartz watch filled with Chinese components. Their automatic diver is $2k+

Did you ask them if they know the difference between shit and Shinola?

I am glad that they assemble there stuff here in the United States. If they could make there watch cases in the USA. And if they could work out the bugs in there watches. I would really call to me if they could nock the price down a little.

The second hand not always lining up with the indices is a property of almost all standard quartz watches. The Oceanus along with other radio or GPS controlled watches will line up because they use a multi function second hand that can be adjusted. I've seen far more expensive Omega and Tag Heuer watches with standard quartz movements not line up. It's just something we have to live with, or buy a Grand Seiko.

Ssd thing is, if u unscrew the caseback on the shinola watch it says made in china inside lmaoo

Hit the outlet, got an 1500 watch for under 400

I hate to be that guy but I don’t see Detroit “coming back” since the things that made it strong in the first place are no longer possible

my favorite Nick quotes "to be far I'm not a normal human" an "to be fair I am insane lamfo"

The cheapest quartz pieces these days come with at least quick-set date. This is ridiculous.

nick .honest review .very interesting but over priced .

You guys want a movement that the second hand lines up? Buy a watch with the Seiko VX43 engine..I have that movement in a Deep Blue. 1,000 meter AppDiver..Better accuracy than any hand cranker or auto watch Ive had.

Never pay big bucks for a quartz, never.

What's a good watch for $700

This bums me out. Sadly what you describe is probably most east and west coasters' impression of made in America.

I thought only 1920s gangsters talk like that

I’m sorry but I just bought a titanium citizen quarts watch for 180$ and everything aligns perfectly and has 10 bar water resist and a solar charge battery. For 180$... I’m all about supporting American manufacturing but I refuse to support mediocrity that embarrasses the US. Just look at cars. Look at the reliability and quality of a dodge or GMC vs. a Toyota. If I spent 700$ on a watch with those specs I would want my money back

Mr Thompson?

I love the accent.

Maybe these days a watch really is just a fashion statement.