Nicholas Braun Leads Shinola’s First Brand Campaign

The actor makes his directorial debut as Shinola reintroduces the iconic Runwell with a campaign centered on owning your time.

The Fashionisto

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Published July 17, 2026

Nicholas Braun bats away a shower of crumpled newspaper pages in a tailored blazer, wearing the Shinola Runwell, in a doorway for Shinola's "Set the Pace" campaign
Nicholas Braun turns a paper storm into pure comedy for Shinola’s new campaign. Photo: Shinola

Nicholas Braun takes on double duty for Shinola, starring in and directing the Detroit brand’s first-ever global brand campaign. Making his directorial debut, Braun becomes the face of a new chapter for Shinola. The campaign reintroduces the Runwell, the watch that launched the company’s journey in 2011.

Nicholas Braun for Shinola

Nicholas Braun in a red knit sweater takes a call on a vintage rotary telephone inside a bottle-lined alcove, the Shinola Runwell on his wrist, for Shinola's "Set the Pace" campaign
Nicholas Braun fields a late-night call with Shinola. Photo: Shinola

The campaign embraces the idea of “Set the Pace,” encouraging people to define success on their own terms and view time as life’s greatest luxury. Through a cinematic short film titled “The Restaurant,” Braun trades the conventions of a traditional watch advertisement for a character-driven story shaped by humor, everyday moments, and the confidence of moving at your own speed.

Nicholas Braun reclines in a red knit sweater reading a newspaper with his feet up on a restaurant table set with wine and a burger, wearing the Shinola Runwell, for Shinola's "Set the Pace" campaign
Nicholas Braun takes in a dinner for Shinola’s new campaign. Photo: Shinola

Braun’s personality drives the campaign across a series of editorial-style photographs that place the Runwell in restaurants, city streets, and spontaneous moments. The relaunch also highlights three key models. The classic 41mm Runwell, the 37mm Runwell Chronograph, and the 36mm Runwell Mother-of-Pearl are each assembled in Detroit as part of Shinola’s commitment to enduring craftsmanship.

Nicholas Braun in a denim shirt jacket tastes a dish straight from the pan in a restaurant kitchen, the Shinola Runwell Chronograph on his wrist, for Shinola's "Set the Pace" campaign
Nicholas Braun steals a taste behind the scenes, proving the kitchen runs on his schedule too. Photo: Shinola

By pairing its signature watch with Braun’s easygoing charisma, Shinola presents the Runwell as a reminder that the best days play out at your own pace.

The Shinola Runwell watch with a leather strap rests atop an old phone book beside a vintage rotary telephone receiver and a restaurant menu card for Shinola's "Set the Pace" campaign
Nicholas Braun smiles in a doorway wearing a tailored blazer over a patterned button-up shirt, holding an orange with a newspaper tucked in his breast pocket, the Shinola Runwell on his wrist, for Shinola's "Set the Pace" campaign
The Shinola Runwell Chronograph rests on an orange set atop a folded newspaper beside a glass of red wine for Shinola's "Set the Pace" campaign
A close-up of Nicholas Braun's hand washing dishes at a restaurant sink, denim shirt sleeve rolled up and the Shinola Runwell Chronograph on his wrist, for Shinola's "Set the Pace" campaign
A Shinola Runwell with a blue dial and gold case rests on a linen napkin beside silverware and a powdered-sugar-dusted pastry for Shinola's "Set the Pace" campaign
A close-up of Nicholas Braun's hand reaching for a dessert plate in a restaurant kitchen, denim shirt sleeve rolled up and the Shinola Runwell Chronograph on his wrist, for Shinola's "Set the Pace" campaign
A close-up of Nicholas Braun's hand writing on a folded newspaper in a red sweater sleeve, the Shinola Runwell on his wrist, with a burger and glass of wine on the table behind him, for Shinola's "Set the Pace" campaign

Braun’s habit of playing off-camera confidence against precise styling shows up again in his coffee shop turn for Bonobos, where a well-cut pair of chinos does the same quiet work the Runwell does here.

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