Made in Detroit watches?

[GatorFarmer]

I happened to glance at an email sent to me by the Filson company today. It featured the new line of Filson branded watches. I clicked on the pictures, curious as to price and expecting that they would be Chinese. Much to my sirprise, the watches are made by the curiously named "Shinola" company in that well known center of watch making excellence...er....Detroit, Michigan.

Though apparently that is largely a matter of assembling them, from Swiss made parts.

I am not sure how to feel about that.

It seems awkward, if asked "Nice watch, what is it?" to have to reply "Oh,bit is a Shinola, a Detroit watch."

Prices range from 600 something for Filson branded ones to $800 or more forvones with the Shinola label.

Or maybe I am the only one who remembers the alliterative phrase "From (censored) to Shinola".

I used to wear a nice enough watch before I had children and could no longer have nice things.

Does anyone else have mixed emotions regarding a Detroit watch?

 

[Laketime]

If the case and bracelet is made in Hong Kong nothing wrong with that Hong Kong makes as good as Swiss for a fraction of the price.If made in China,expect sub par quality.Most of the reasonably priced Swiss brands outsource from Hong Kong.

 

[Salty RI]

A watch made in Detroit does it come with wheel's

 

[THE PILGRIM]

These folks bought the old Shinola shoe polish name so they could use it.
They wanted a standout name.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shinola

 

[Chuck24]

Don't know Rolex from Shinola

 

[Coldshooter]

There were some great watches made in the Midwest such as Elgin so if a good product is made there it is great history.

 

[DWalt]

I think there are several high-end luxury watch brands made in the USA that very few have ever heard of. I remember a story about when the Sopranos series ended production, James Gandolfini presented members of the cast and crew with some American-made watch I had never heard of, which were several thousand dollars each.

I am perfectly happy with my Swiss Army watch that I have worn for over 15 years. I bought it at a garage sale, NIB, for $10.

Of course, the younger generation has no need for watches - seriously. They have cell phones, iPads, etc. for that. Wrist watches are so 20th Century.
-----------------------------------
I did a little research - the "Sopranos" watch is a Kobold Soarway Diver with an 18K gold case. I found one of the originals offered for sale on eBay at $50,000. But the basic Kobold Soarway Diver with no "Sopranos" connection is offered on eBay for about $2000. It was noted that James Gandolfini personally designed the watch. Tough to believe the value of the Sopranos connection is 25X. From the description: " James Gandolfini of Sopranos fame is (was) a big Kobold fan, so when the show ended, he ordered 400 custom made Kobold Soarway Divers for the cast and crew. A very small number of these watches ended up being sold by crew members who, having little appreciation for fine timepieces, decided they’d rather have the cash than the souvenir."

 

[Leonard]

Did it say made in Detroit or stolen in Detroit?

 

[rwsmith]

Hydro-Glide....

Hydro-Glide transmission.

 

[shouldazagged]

My favorite "wizard Of Id" strip ever showed a peasant applying for a job in the king's stables. The foreman holds out a little flat tin and asks, "What is that?"

"Shinola," says the applicant.

"You're hired."

 

[RSanch111]

"Shinola" is making a big splash in Detroit lately. Not much more than a "branding" phenomenon as far as I can tell. They even have a dog park by their store in midtown. For some reason I thought they were selling bicycles too. No?

 

[CAJUNLAWYER]

These folks bought the old Shinola shoe polish name so they could use it.
They wanted a standout name.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shinola

What a great idea!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[g8rb8]

......the watches are made by the curiously named "Shinola" company .......

Thanks for posting. You have enlightened us.
Now, when asked if we know the difference, we can affirmatively reply we certainly do ...... know the difference ..... between s*** and shinola.

 

[Salty RI]

Thanks for posting. You have enlightened us.
Now, when asked if we know the difference, we can affirmatively reply we certainly do ...... know the difference ..... between s*** and shinola.

You beat me to it, I'm a little slow in the morning.

 

[chaparrito]

They do make high end bicycles as well. Great looking old-school cruisers. Pricey as heck.

 

[Cooter Brown]

I think they're nice looking watches, though my old Casio does fine for me.

I've been aware of the Shinola company since they started. I forget how I found out about them. I hope they continue to do well. Detroit needs companies like this providing jobs. That place truly got shafted by everybody from the companies to the unions to the govt.

As far as Filson, I miss the old Filson. They've gone hipster and no longer make some of the things like the heavy canvas shirts I love.

They might have had to do it to survive. The work clothes they sold were just too much for a working feller. I feel like I should go ahead and get another one of the wool vests while they still make them.

 

[Bkreutz]

I'm guessing the original Shinola shoe polish was for brown shoes???

 

[ParadiseRoad]

...get an Orient Mako...I've had mine for about a year and a half...really like it...self winding mechanical (automatic)...can be had for around $100...