Shinola and Filson Watches First Impressions: 'Real Watches or Hype?'

Thanks for watching! If you found this interesting, please like and share it! If you're new to the channel, welcome and please consider subscribing!

[jonathanarneberg]

I was willing to give this review a fair shake until you said that Shinola's are worth only $150 dollars. Please, please, please give me an example of a single watch from another brand that is $150 and has super-luminova, screw down crown, double curved sapphire crystal, on an alligator or horween strap, a lifetime warranty, makes or assembles absolutely any of its components stateside, and is finished nearly as well as a Shinola. Go ahead, I'll wait.

It's at that point I realized that you had a pretentious and irrational disdain for quartz, or the sheep-like groupthink of redditors or watch forum snobs. If this same company dropped a $100 wholesale miyota or entry level ETA in that case, you'd sing their praises. But then, Shinola would only have storefronts full of hipster salespeople and social media coordinators, and wouldn't be employing any of the hundreds of laborers they do to assemble the movements.

For someone who obviously views a watch's value as based solely on its individual parts, placing almost all of that summative value on the movement alone is so absolutely ridiculous. $150? Really?

[GustoTheGamer]

i accept a good quartz watch! Shinola is a great new watch company

[mitchm]

Another well-balanced and informative watch review. Thanks so much.
I've been intrigued by the case design of the Shinola for a while now, since I'm a sucker for vintage or retro-style designs but as your review clearly points out, looks aren't everything. At a fair and reasonable $100 to $150 price point, these watches would be well worth the money. But above that price range, I'd be looking elsewhere. When manufacturers like Seiko can produce and sell mechanicals with robust in-house movements for less than $200, it makes you wonder how Shinola/Filson can rationalize selling a Quartz watch at 2-3 times the price, even when it is "made (assembled) in America". Granted, economies of scale have to be considered, but regardless, the price tag here is just too steep.

[theflyingbrompton]

These watches are heavily marketed as a luxury watch. You can get a Timex with a simple traditional full Arabic number dial for under $80. I highly recommend the Timex x Red Wing Collaboration Edition ($138), absolutely stunning. Nordstrom currently has it for $80.

[sumofty]

The thing I've been thinking about is how many people have an issue with "Assembled in America". Now the watches are pricey, don't get me wrong, that's a different topic.

But we are in a global economy now- what does it mean to be "Made in America"? Pickup trucks are the most American thing ever and are mostly assembled in America as well. Now, the point is that while it's assembled in America, many of the pieces and components were made in Malaysia, China and Mexico, etc. But you don't hear any arguments about how they are not really "Made in America". So, what makes something like these watches, which are assembled in America using parts from other countries, not an American product?

[sruler]

I picked up a Mackinaw field watch for $250. I own an Audemars Piguet, Patek and a Panerai and was looking for a rugged knock around watch and this fits the bill @ the price I paid -'and I like Filson products generally

[russells]

I think they are nice, but even the nicer Filsons are vastly overpriced. $500-700 for a quartz movement? No thanks. I understand that it is assembled in the US, but when you compare that to a Victorinox, Hamilton, Steinhart, or Tissot automatic that is assembled in Switzerland and most of the components are Swiss made, all for less or the same money, you are paying a premium for the Filson. This is especially true when you consider you're paying import taxes on a Swiss watch. Great review! Keep them coming! I am always in anticipation of your next great review.

[ikicaq]

They are nice looking watches, but I can get a Seiko with an in-house made automatic movement for half the price. If they ever start making automatics maybe I give them a second look.

[michigun]

being from Michigan I was dead set on purchasing a Shinola until I went on ebay and saw what they go for...these things depreciate faster than new cars off the lot. I will pass and pick one up in 2 years for a third of the price or less. Still think they are sharp but not worth the boutique price tag IMO

[dehoyosrudolph]

I just picked up the Filson scout watch @Tj max for $119 bucks. It's on a nice leather NATO strap, they had 12 other models, but averaged $229, mine was on clearance. I'll be stopping back to see if any more go on clearance!

[davidyang]

Appreciate the honest assessment... refreshing when someone speaks the truth.

[williamlucas]

Reminds me of a semi-upscale version of a Fossil watch. Hope they stay busy.

[edcwatches]

great video and nice looking watches .. they are not for watch nerds but for general public and I think they will do well

[highnrising]

The Filsons are heavily discounted on various web retail sites. The Shinola brand watches are hard or impossible to find at discount.

[lifematch]

Dude your only hating on the watch cause it's not mechanical. Everyone knows they make quartz movement watch, so why bother even reviewing these if all you like is mechanical watches.

[rickreyn]

The Shonola Monster line uses Swiss movements. They're not all quartz.

[wsrush]

Think that the Filsons at discounted prices of around $250 is a solid piece with great detail. The 38mm versions are very attractive field watch. $600 retail is overpriced which is probably why Filson isn’t selling them anymore. Pick one up on EBay I’d say.

[pauldack]

I just bought a Filson Scout for about 140 bucks. 10 bucks less than what he said it was worth! Woot, I got a bargain then? I love the way it looks. I don't give a shit if watch nerds think it's cool. I have 2 Hamilton Khaki Field Watches and an Orient Flight and a couple Seikos 5s, watches that generally get approval as affordable rigs from watch guys. And the Filson is as well put together and attractive as any if my other watches, including the Hamiltons. If you like the look of the Shinola it Filson, get it . Don't let some guy on YT talk you out of it because he doesn't like that some pieces of he watch were manufacturered in China . Filsons aren't being made anymore so they can be had at a pretty steep discount now btw. It's a shame because they are really handsome watches .

[supernovachampions]

I agree wholeheartedly with your assessment. I too am a Filson fan. Their leathers and bags are robust; so much so that my wife has not destroyed her Filson tote after several years of daily wear. That is saying a lot. I was hoping and frankly expecting an ETA movement for the price, but sadly this was not the case. At these prices you would be crazy to consider buying one. For nearly the same retail price you could purchase a very nice Oris with a lot more history and character.

[richhuerta]

Great no bs, to the point review. Thanks!