Motor City: The 15 Best Gifts From Detroit’s Shinola
Once the manufacturing capital of the United States, Detroit loomed large in the American psyche as a place of industry, can-do grit, and quality products. Decades of distress may have tarnished that reputation—but inside the city itself, you can still find the die-hard Detroit natives who have kept the dream of American design alive.
Shinola is a driving force in the Motor City’s revival, and that’s only a part of why it’s become one of our favorite brands here at GearMoose. Whether you’re already a die-hard Shinola fanatic or haven’t yet been introduced, the list that follows will give you everything you need to develop a newfound love and appreciation for American-made design.
The Monster GMT Automatic
Inspired by the GMT watches first developed for commercial airline pilots in the 1950’s, Shinola’s Monster GMT Automatic watch is a gorgeous blue timepiece powered by an SW330-2 automatic movement with up to 56 hours of power reserve. And with a depth rating of 100 meters, it’s fully prepared for any shoreline water activities.
Price: $1,995
Shinola Computer Brief
Taking everyday workwear to whole new levels, Shinola’s Computer Brief is lovingly detailed with their proprietary Navigator leather and gunmetal hardware. Strategically reinforced at stress points and equipped with plenty of interior pockets, it combines the best of buy-it-for-life durability and sleek lightweight performance.
Price: $895
Shinola x Benchmade Carbon Fiber Crooked River Pocket Knife
Offering classic folding pocket knife style with futuristic materials, this Benchmade and Shinola pocket knife collaboration is a thing of understated beauty. Its CPM-S30V steel competes for sharpness with the best blades on the market, and its super lightweight carbon fiber body is as tough as it is good looking.
Price: $400
Shinola Cotton Watch Cap
Long days out on the wind-whipped Lake Michigan coastline have given Shinola’s designers a real taste of the winter cold. So it should come as no surprise that their Cotton Watch Cap is about as warm and cozy as a beanie can get—and it gets bonus points for being sustainably produced with organic cotton, too.
Price: $55
Shinola Travel Watch Case
Designed to keep your favorite timepieces safely tucked away and in one piece, Shinola’s Travel Watch Case is a handsome addition to any guy’s travel kit. It has a wrap-around zipper for easy access, and snap closure interior tabs to make sure your watch stays exactly where you want it.
Price: $250
Shinola x Vermont Copper Flask
Handmade from gleaming copper, this Shinola flask is then wrapped in leather—both materials that take on a gorgeous patina over time, making the flask a unique expression of your own habits and experiences. It can hold a solid twelve ounces, or about half a bottle of spirits. And it comes with a mini funnel to minimize spilling while you’re refilling.
Price: $595
Shinola 10,000 Mile Duffle
Shinola’s 10,000 Mile Duffle is constructed with a special composite fabric, the elements of which are literally 15 times stronger than steel. It’s obviously a lot lighter too. Plus, the waxy surface of the bag is exquisite and will eventually display unique visual wear throughout, without wearing out, of course.
Details like leather-padded handles and the brand’s bolt-patterned webbing are practical, convenient touches that also make the bag look even more attractive.
Price: $795
Shinola Dominoes Set
Dominoes are a game device nearly a thousand years old, with their first mention being recorded in China in the 1200s. Shinola’s take on the classic game is emblazoned with the brand’s signature lightning bolt, made in Rhode Island, and packaged in a super cool oak box with a sliding steel lid. Perfect for holiday get-togethers.
Price: $250
Shinola Canfield Model C56 Watch
This Canfield Watch, Model C56, flaunts a domed profile, a hat-tip to the General Motors Design Dome. The rest of the watch is equally as streamlined and multi-dimensional. The outer dial is a red Hadrian’s wall, holding the double-domed sapphire over the cool gray watch face.
Between that and the coin-edged case, this deceptively simple design boasts a lot of interesting visuals from every angle. This includes the harness leather strap, a handsome equestrian-approved material with a richly oiled surface.
Price: $750
Shinola Hand Poured Candle
The Shinola Hotel in Detroit is a bucket list worthy rental that we think everyone should visit at least once. But if you’re nowhere near the Midwest, you can still have a little piece of the hotel’s ambience in your home courtesy of Shinola’s Hand Poured Candle—a duplicate of the hotel’s signature scent of cherry blossom, leather, and smoke.
Price: $40
The Runwell Desk Clock
Have you ever picked up your phone just to check the time—then ended up going down a rabbit hole of notifications, before forgetting what you were looking for in the first place? Well you can nip that problem in the bud with Shinola’s analog Runwell Desk Clock, and do it in high style while you’re at it.
Price: $395
Utility Duffle
A duffle bag is one of our must-have storage options for quick travel, as it allows for easy “throw your clothes in and go” spur of the moment adventures. Shinola’s Utility Duffle would make a great addition to any adventurous guy’s closet, and its American-made leather construction means it will be a travel companion for years to come.
Price: $995
Machine Era x Shinola Markup Pen
the Markup Pen has been hand-crafted with beautiful, low-lead brass, is compact, and most importantly, designed and machined in the USA.
The Machine Era x Shinola Markup Pen features a postable cap, which magnetically snaps it on the rear of the pen. It also threads onto the body for added security (so you won’t have to scramble to find an acceptable replacement cap).
Price: $45
Hard Linen Journal
Made in the United States from entirely US-sourced materials, Shinola’s Hard Linen Journals will connect you to a whole lineage of American authors, from Hemingway to Faulkner and beyond. They’re available in 10 colors, and pair perfectly with Shinola’s lineup of writing accessories.
Price: $28
Power Supply 2 Port + Dual USB
An ideal gift for the traveling man, Shinola’s Power Supply 2 Port + Dual USB power strip can replace a whole suite of clunkier charging options. The braided cord helps to keep everything on the straight and narrow without kinking, all while concealing a full eight feet of extension for wherever you need your devices powered.
Price: $195
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