Hands On with the Shinola Omaha

I probably sound like broken record as of late, but Shinola has really been coming up with some releases that have resonated with me. Call it good design or the fact I?ve not been back home for awhile, but whatever it is, these are hitting like an ice cold sip of Rock ?n Rye. And just like that Faygo offering is different from most other pop you?ll experience, the Shinola Omaha is giving you something that you don?t see much from brands these days.

And that something is the rectangular case. Sure, you can find it in vintage watches, and there are several women?s models that take the shape as well. But something that is properly unisex in dimensions, the Shinola Omaha is clicking. I mean, really – with a 26mm x 36.5mm sizing, 8.65mm thickness and a gently curved caseback, this is a watch that should fit all manner of wrists. I thought,in my original writeup, that the watch would be too small. And, actually, on my 7.25″ wrist, I thought it fit well. If this was a traditional round case, 36.5mm would feel on the small side. Flip things around to the rectangular shape, and it fits like a dream.

Certainly, the Shinola Omaha is a watch that presents itself as something a bit dressier, given it?s shape and dimensions, as well as the (mild) art deco influences on the piece. That said, I think it?s a watch that would find itself at home in all but the most ultra-casual of scenarios – especially once you consider it is available with a black or white dial, and all manner of straps to fit into the 20mm lugs. Oh, and that dial? It?s a wonderfully glossy enamel dial, which certainly has a sheen that completes the vintage look.

I spent a good bit of time with the Shinola Omaha, and found it fit quite well on my wrist. With the narrower case, it felt more like a bracelet than a watch, but that just meant it fit fairly comfortably. For it?s smaller size, legibility is surprisingly good. The numerals stand out in crisp contrast to the dial, and the hands are about as big as they can be while still maintaining proportionality to the overall dimensions. Only the main hands are lumed, but with a watch of this sort, that?s really more than enough. This is something you?re checking the time in a darkened dining room, not really while you?re off in the back country.

Coming in a $650 (if you want to engrave the caseback, that will be a bit more), the Shinola Omaha presents a dressier vintage-look option for your wrist. Or your spouse?s wrist, for that matter, especially if you like sharing a single watch (or getting his-and-hers). As I mentioned up top, you?ve got two dial colors, and a wide, wide variety of straps available to you, so you can customize the look to what you want a bit. shinola.com

Review Summary

• Brand & Model: Shinola Omaha
• Price: $650
• Who?s it for? You want a dressier watch with some vintage charm
• Would I wear it? Yes, I could see that, though would perhaps opt for the black dial on a black strap, and have it as a grab-and-go sort of black tie watch
• What I?d change: How about enamel (color-matched to the dial) on the recessed crown surface?
• The best thing about it: It?s compact nature

Tech Specs from Shinola