The Detroit-based luxury design brand Shinola are expanding their spectacular Great American series with the new “Elijah McCoy Pocket Watch”.
Founded in 2011, Shinola operate an in-house watch and leather factory on the fifth floor of the historic Argonaut Building, where their team of artisans hand-assembles luxury timepieces and crafts premium leather straps.
This breathtaking timepiece is a tribute to Elijah McCoy, one of the first African-American inventors who was known for inventing the lubrication system for steam engines in the late 1800s. Inspired by McCoy’s classic locomotive designs, this one-of-a-kind pocket watch features a matte black finish, gold accents, and spirited red flourishes. A full exhibition case back reveals the intricate workings of the manual wind movement inside.
Train conductors typically wear pocketwatches because punctuality is essential in their line of work. Aside from its obvious choice, the colour of the piece oozes with its locomotive motif, down to the very colour.
From the front, you are greeted with a gleaming minute track, gold hour markers, and lume-filled hands — a hard-to-miss detail thanks to the piece’s solid black watchface that elevates both colours simultaneously. An additional splash of colour is added with the red second hand and second markers. Lastly, “Shinola Detroit” can be found close to the centre of the watchface due north, alongside Elijah McCoy’s name, which is located at the southern part of the face.
This pocket watch features a manual-wind SW210-1 movement, which is visible through the exhibition case back and showcases the artistry of timekeeping. Along with this window, you can also see the word “THE REAL McCOY” inscribed in gold, a nod to the idiom that was popularised after McCoy invented the oil-drip cup.
When it’s not in your pocket, the Elijah McCoy timepiece sits stunningly on its custom wooden stand that gently cradles the watch for all to observe.
The Elijah McCoy Pocket Watch is limited to only 350 pieces. This exceptional collector’s piece is widely sought after, by art lovers and watch enthusiasts alike.
The Elijah McCoy Mechanic Pocket Watch 45mm is available for purchase now for RM9,900 through Shinola’s official webstore.
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