The Circadian Monster is a new smaller version of the popular Monster watch collection by Detroit-based Shinola. The American company has released three versions of the 36mm-wide Circadian Monster to start, which, in their current forms, are mainly intended to appeal to women. That said, the small profile certainly has some unisex appeal for men who are interested in a smaller-sized case with a mechanical automatic movement. While simple, the Circadian Monster 36mm is a surprisingly capable and versatile little classic timepiece that blends classicism with a bit of welcome shine.
What I like most about the Shinola Circadian Monster (I suppose that name implies it is a creature with good rhythm? Perfect for Motown) is something that pictures can’t really indicate: the tactile feeling on the steel bracelet. The way a bracelet’s polished links feel when running your finger over them is a very important sign of quality, as is how well-machined they are with low tolerances. Think of how “tight” a Rolex bracelet feels, versus how “loose” a cheaper bracelet feels. The right mixture of elements in a link-style bracelet is for it to have a tight construction, but with moving parts that flow elegantly and easily. For the money, I feel like the tapering, contrast-polished steel bracelet on the Shinola Circadian Monster watch is a good value.
The case is a smaller version of Shinola’s other larger Monster-family collection watches. But the lugs are slightly different, offering a softer, more feminine, and jewelry-like look. More so, from what I can tell, all other Shinola Monster watches have sporty rotating bezels, whereas the Circadian Monster has a smooth, brushed bezel. Also given the different proportions, this smaller watch has a different crown that actually feels like it more neatly integrates with the crown guards. Despite having a more “jewelry feel,” the Circadian Monster 36mm case is still decently sporty with 100 meters of water resistance (and a screw-down crown), along with a slightly domed and AR-coated sapphire crystal over the dial.
The Shinola Circadian Monster case is not large, but not does feel too petite either, which is logical because it contains a Swiss Made automatic movement. Again, the case is 36mm wide, 9.25mm thick, and has a lug-to-lug distance of about 44mm. The bracelet ends are 18mm wide, and the bracelet features a handy quick-release system that allows it to be separated from the case without tools. This makes it possible for people to attach a compatible 18mm wide strap. The movement inside of the Circadian Monster is the Swiss Made Sellita SW200-1 automatic movement, with a custom Shinola black-colored automatic rotor. The watch itself is not “Swiss Made,” per se, because the final assembly happens in the United States, of course.
Two of the three debut versions of the Shinola Circadian Monster 36mm have mother-of-pearl dials, with this version having a gray Tahitian mother-of-pearl dial with gold-tone applied hour markers and matching hands. I am a big fan of mother-of-pearl dials for both men’s and women’s watches and feel that the integration here is well done, as the watch is “pretty” without trying to be too showy. I think that goes a long way for many consumers who like a little bit of sparkle but mostly adhere to conservative wearing styles.
Men who want a more petite wearing experience might find the Shinola Circadian Monster watch a good choice, but more so, this is a watch meant to blend value, mechanical performance, and timeless looks for women wearers. It does a pretty good job of that, and I also think the Circadian Monster is the first women’s watch from Shinola to feature an automatic mechanical movement (versus a quartz one). Really nothing very monstrous about it! Price for the Shinola Circadian Monster 36mm watch (reference 20296789) as seen here is $1,450 USD. Learn more on the Shinola website.
