I hit my fourth dive nearly perfectly, sluicing into the water at an angle so ideal that the speed nearly popped my contact out. As I emerged from the sun-warmed (but still chilly) waters of Lake Michigan, much farther from the boat than I had imagined, the nautically tattooed captain let out a holler: “You had some speed there!”
I’m no Olympic diver — this had taken my fair share of botched attempts to gain a Phelps-level start. It helped that it was off the deck of the 38-foot Footloose II, gently clipping along in the Grand Traverse Bay of Northern Michigan.
My contact may have been trying to escape, but not my watch. The Lake Michigan Monster stayed firmly on my wrist and away from the depths of its namesake, at home in the water. This was the culmination of Michigan-based tests the watch endured, from dune climbs to speedboat rides. Through all of it, the Monster (literally) shined.
In short: Shinola’s Lake Michigan Monster Automatic sits in a dive watch sweet spot — a combination of value and reasonable (for watches) price that takes into account the brand’s investment into Detroit-made domestic labor and reinvigoration of America’s manufacturing corridor. It’s not a beginner watch, but it is an investment piece for watch beginners who want something classic with a subtle twist. And it’s a fantastic watch for anything water-related.
- Reference number: 20191429-sdt-008151001
- Case size: 43 mm
- Lug size: 22 mm
- Case material: Stainless steel
- Crystal: Single dome with anti-reflective coating
- Movement: SW200-1 automatic
- Power reserve: 38 hrs.
- Strap color: Stainless steel bracelet
- Water resistance: 30 ATM / 1,000 ft.
Pros
- Made in the USA (Detroit specifically)
- Handsome and hardwearing
- Water proficient: 30 ATM water resistance with a screw-down crown
- Free lifetime service at Shinola stores
Cons
- Clasp scratches easily
- Priced in between a starter watch and an investment piece
- Can feel heavy on the wrist
Shinola Lake Michigan Monster Review
Great Lakes Testing



The Monster’s Bad Side
Shinola: Made in Michigan

A Performance Watch?
