Watches made in the U S of A.

Some people would prefer their bicycle frames are produced by American hands. Handbuilt frames in the USA typically cost between $800 and $2000. Fender and rack mounts add cost over something like a custom BMX frame (which may only cost $500 for a custom builder).

Sorry, a bike from Walmart is nothing like a high-end bike with quality components. That bike from Walmart will be heavier, slower, less reliable, and more uncomfortable than the nicer bike. That's like trying to do an Endurance race with a off-the-lot Kia versus a custom built race car. More than likely it'll work, but it won't be much fun.

PHeller wrote: Sorry, a bike from Walmart is nothing like a high-end bike with quality components.

I didn't say it was. I said that, like a cheap watch tells the same time as a Rolex - a cheap bike will get you where you need to go. That isn't the business they are in but based on the web site they aren't in the bicycle business either. They are in the fashion business. The bikes they make are fashion pieces like the watches and handbags they make. There is no guarantee it is actually a good bike. It makes no difference to me because they look as ridiculous to my eye as skinny jeans on a man.

http://www.shinola.com/shop/curated/vintage-flag.html

the $50K flag is cool, but a bit whoring of history. With less then 20 examples left I feel that the originals should be in the state Capital building, Governors' office and office of the state's congressmen and senators (imo).

captdownshift wrote: http://www.shinola.com/shop/curated/vintage-flag.html the $50K flag is cool, but a bit whoring of history. With less then 20 examples left I feel that the originals should be in the state Capital building, Governors' office and office of the state's congressmen and senators (imo).

That happens ALL OF THE TIME. Nothing wrong with getting into that game. If the state wants the flags, they should have kept them.

If you had a 917 that won a race, would you give it back to Porsche?

alfadriver wrote: This is the one I got. Not sure why it's a bad thing that they are assembling the parts from another company- they've only been making watches since 2011, and it does take time to branch out on their own. That, and at least they put them together here, as opposed to just buying the movement. They do have plans for that, though. Hopefully, a mechanical movement by the end of next year. thankfully, the only real problem Shinola has is their demand is much higher than what they can supply right now. With the right kind of growth, that's a great problem to have.

Nice looking watch. How is the mesh?

My problem with Shinola comes from the ads and price. They make it sound like the developed the movement and I would have no problem with the price if it was high accuracy like The Citizen line or Grand Seiko quartz.

I hope their mechanical movement isnt just a modified ETA or if it is, it has a reasonable price tag. If it is the same price as say a NOMOS and it has an ETA movement that would be a fail to me.

I can't fault their designs. They are good looking watches. So I am hopeful that they won't just be an expensive version of Fossil but more of an American NOMOS.

In reply to 93EXCivic:

Softer than I expected. Really comfortable.

I'd have to ask the guys I know, but they might have developed the movement. Just like how we develop an engine, but the parts can come from various suppliers.

I'll shoot them a note asking.

As for the super high accuracy- unless you get some very specific watches, we all adjust them at least twice a year. Some of us travel so much that the watches get set many times a year. Almost moreso for Mechanical movements- unless you wear it every day, it will come to a stop, forcing the onwer to set it every time you use it. Seems like a way to part with your money faster.

I used to like citizen, but then noticed that they were copying other's watches and pricing them much lower. That kind of put me off of looking at them anymore. Happy with the two I have, but no more.

In reply to alfadriver:

So they did not design the movement. I'm still ok with that- so many different bands are built around the same movement. Just ask Swatch how many brands from Hamilton to Tag use the same stuff.

And I'm ok with them touting the work that is done here in the US. Labor costs the same be it in Switzerland or Detroit, so I'm quite ok that people are employed so that THEY can buy the product we make.

alfadriver wrote: In reply to 93EXCivic: As for the super high accuracy- unless you get some very specific watches, we all adjust them at least twice a year. Some of us travel so much that the watches get set many times a year. Almost moreso for Mechanical movements- unless you wear it every day, it will come to a stop, forcing the onwer to set it every time you use it. Seems like a way to part with your money faster. I used to like citizen, but then noticed that they were copying other's watches and pricing them much lower.

I know but I just couldn't bring myself to buy a quartz at that price unless it is a HAQ whether that is a Tag or Shinola. The Citizen is a model from Citizen Model AQ1000-58E. I believe the Seiko 9F movements and The Citizen both have perpetual calendars so no need to mess with them except for twice a year.

alfadriver wrote: In reply to alfadriver: So they did not design the movement. I'm still ok with that- so many different bands are built around the same movement. Just ask Swatch how many brands from Hamilton to Tag use the same stuff.

It admit I am a bit of movement whore so unless it is really well priced I can't see myself ever getting one. Same reason I am not too interested in a lot of Swatches stuff.

I like the watches and the fact they're building them in Detroit. Ronda AG is a financial partner so I'm not sure how that affects their mechanical movement plans moving forward. I've had a few factory tours (watch making and leather strap making) and have been to the Canfield store a few times. They employ almost 300 people now and are in a cool building in Detroit. It's great to see them growing and I'm hoping they succeed. I own a mixed bag of Swiss automatics and quartz watches and I'm supporting their efforts with the two I wear regularly

My Japanese designed and made Orient Mako fulfills my current watch needs for the moment. Nothing better than an automatic with an in house movement.

Can be purchased for less than $150.

I'm all for Shinola and American business, but their prices are just way too much for the actual products they sell.

I have an Orient automatic as well and I'm very happy with it.

I bought my dad a Seiko 5 for fathers day a while back, he loves it.

smog7 wrote: My Japanese designed and made Orient Mako fulfills my current watch needs for the moment. Nothing better than an automatic with an in house movement. Can be purchased for less than $150. I'm all for Shinola and American business, but their prices are just way too much for the actual products they sell.

If cost is that big of a deal, Swatch is going to have an auto movement later this year for a little less than that.

But not everything in life is just about the cost.... For many, value isn't just measured by the cash cost.

FWIW, Swatch has offered cheap mechanical watches for over a decade, but the movements are simplified (cheapened) variants of workhorse ETA calibres.

smog7 wrote: My Japanese designed and made Orient Mako fulfills my current watch needs for the moment. Nothing better than an automatic with an in house movement. Can be purchased for less than $150. I'm all for Shinola and American business, but their prices are just way too much for the actual products they sell.

Heck you can get a new Vostok from Russia under $100 for automatics as well with an in-house movement. I have three (2 new and one vintage).

Ive been wanting a scuba dude for a while now! Didnt discover vostok till after my orient purchase two years ago. Next watch/es will be a seiko skx007, or if I decide to splurge......

http://wornandwound.com/2012/03/21/review-steinhart-ocean-vintage-military/

93EXCivic wrote:

alfadriver wrote: This is the one I got. Not sure why it's a bad thing that they are assembling the parts from another company- they've only been making watches since 2011, and it does take time to branch out on their own. That, and at least they put them together here, as opposed to just buying the movement. They do have plans for that, though. Hopefully, a mechanical movement by the end of next year. thankfully, the only real problem Shinola has is their demand is much higher than what they can supply right now. With the right kind of growth, that's a great problem to have.

Nice looking watch. How is the mesh? My problem with Shinola comes from the ads and price. They make it sound like the developed the movement and I would have no problem with the price if it was high accuracy like The Citizen line or Grand Seiko quartz. I hope their mechanical movement isnt just a modified ETA or if it is, it has a reasonable price tag. If it is the same price as say a NOMOS and it has an ETA movement that would be a fail to me. I can't fault their designs. They are good looking watches. So I am hopeful that they won't just be an expensive version of Fossil but more of an American NOMOS.

I doubt it would be an ETA movement. Swatch pulled back the distribution of the ETA movements so they're very very hard to come by now unless you're willing to pay top dollar, which Shinola may, but a lot of companies are shifting to the Miyota automatic movements. Kobold is in the process of manufacturing their own movement to bring their watches 100% made in the US not just assembled.

It's a great looking watch Alfadriver, I'm a sucker for mesh a couple of my watches are on after market mesh.

More on the ETA "crisis" if you're interested. http://gearpatrol.com/2013/09/17/opinion-swiss-watch-movement-maker-eta-cutting-competition-improving-breed/