An Iconic Americana Brand’s Signature Dive Watch Just Got Some Crucial Updates

Not only has this watch gotten a style redesign, but the case itself has been altered to better suit today’s expectations.

Close-up of a green dive watch bezel and dial with white markers and a stainless steel bracelet on a textured stone surface.

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By Sean Tirman

Published May 20, 2026

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Detroit-based brand Shinola is deeply rooted in Americana. In fact, even its best watches are related to the land it calls home.

Take the brand’s signature dive watches, for example: many are named after the Great Lakes of North America.

And three of the Shinola Monster Automatic Dive Watches have just received a couple of significant upgrades, helping refresh their styling and making for easier, more comfortable daily wear.

Stainless steel Shinola wristwatch with a blue dial and bezel resting on a textured stone surface. — While the watches retain their overall styling, they’ve all gotten a couple of significant alterations that make them even better than before.

Rising from the depths

The most significant alteration to these new Monster divers (which include the Lake Michigan, Lake Ontario and Lake Huron) isn’t one you’ll likely notice at first glance, at least not in imagery. That’s because it’s related to the size of the cases.

The original Shinola Monster watches were 43 millimeters in diameter, but these latest redesigned ones have been sized down to 39 millimeters, which is much more aligned with current size trends. It also makes them easier to wear daily.

Close-up of a Shinola automatic watch with a green dial and bezel, water droplets on the glass, and a stainless steel bracelet. — The Lake Ontario (above) and Lake Michigan Monsters have received a new mother-of-pearl dial insert.

Of the three launches, the Lake Ontario and Lake Michigan editions also have another stylistic alteration. Instead of a flat, single-color insert, they both get mother-of-pearl dials that match their bezels.

This material adds visual intrigue and depth through its opalescence, which catches the light in a way that mimics how light interacts with the surface of the enormous lakes from which the watches derive their names and inspiration.

Silver metal wristwatch with a blue bezel and blue dial displaying "Shinola" and "Automatic Detroit" text. — The case has been reduced to 39 millimeters from 43 millimeters, better aligning with current trends and making for easier wear.

American facade, Swiss heart

Thankfully, the performance and formidability of these watches remain unaffected by the stylistic alterations. That includes their Swiss-made beating hearts.

Housed within the new stainless steel cases (and visible through the exhibition caseback), all three watches have a Sellita SW200-2 automatic movement with a 65-hour power reserve.

Back view of a Shinola stainless steel wristwatch with visible automatic movement and sapphire crystal case back. — The watches are all powered by a Swiss-made Sellita automatic movement, visible through the exhibition caseback.

Furthermore, these are true divers. Their robust cases are rated for depths of up to 300 meters, so you’ll never really have to worry about getting them wet in daily use, and you could obviously use them for legitimate Scuba activities.

Other classic, returning elements include their dive timer bezels, minimalist dial markers, date windows (at 3 o’clock), lumed hands and indices and link bracelets.

Silver metal wristwatch with green dial and bezel worn on wrist with dark brown jacket cuff. — All three watches still come with a classic stainless steel case and a matching link bracelet.

Availability and pricing

Shinola’s Monster series redesigned watches (the Lake Michigan, Lake Ontario and Lake Huron) are now available on the brand’s site for $2,195 apiece.

Stainless steel wristwatch with green bezel and dial, white markers, and date window at 3 o'clock.

Shinola Monster Automatic Dive Watch

Specs

Case Size	39mm
Movement	Sellita SW200-2
Water Resistance	300m

$2,195 at Shinola

About the Author: Sean Tirman is an associate editor at Gear Patrol who specializes in EDC, cannabis and outdoor gear.

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