I'm going to miss the summer
It's not going to happen soon because I have at least another month and a half to enjoy glaring sunshine, sweltering heat and sweaty smelling shirts, and I won't mind sitting out in the morning without feeling like I was placed to bake in an oven.
But I'll miss the opportunities to play with the ISL-68. With its lack of indices, markers or date date window, the full lumed Great Wave Off Kanagawa dial is just perfect for the summer. Nothing prevents me from wearing it during fall or winter, but it just won't feel as carefree and leisurely.
This mini turtle interpretation from Islander is wearing tall due to its case shape and domed sapphire, and it's also quite heavy on the wrist. It's a substantial and well made watch, and when I flipped it over to check the case back, I noticed that I forgot to peel some plastic from the clasp. It's fine apart from that and there's only a few small scratches from the clasp to show that it's a watch that is worn.
There are watches, or strap combinations that I like to use for summer, such as the bright yellow rubber strap on the Flightmaster, the GW-M5610U on it's combi-bracelet, and the Islander ISL-68. They all share the same easy going vibe despite looking very different.
Today is probably one of the last time that I'll wear the ISL-68 before I'll need to wrap myself in an additional layer of clothes, but today is today and that's all I care about for now.
I'm a big fan of watches that are interesting because they are either unique, have interesting features, well designed or simply offer a great value for their price.
Good sir, I love reading your "column" every day. Every single day. Thank you for the great posts!
Good sir, I love reading your "column" every day. Every single day. Thank you for the great posts!
Thank you! It's really a "process" if I may say so but one which doesn't take much time and even less of an effort.
It usually begin when I sit outside half dazed from just waking up and sipping a coffee. I usually wake up very early and it takes me a bit longer to fully wake up than it used to 20 years ago and during this time I just let my mind wander on its own and it usually end up with thinking about watches, life and cats, but not necessarily in this order and it's my subconscious that does most of the heavy lifting. I just play with the camera and get a bunch of pictures.
By the time I get to my second coffee I already have my thoughts in order and it really only takes a few minutes to post them here. The hardest part is selecting which few pictures are worth posting because most of them are just meh.
I like Islander’s stuff. The 38mm Islander Pogue is on my wishlist. I love your watch collection 👌.
Thank you! It's really a "process" if I may say so but one which doesn't take much time and even less of an effort.
It usually begin when I sit outside half dazed from just waking up and sipping a coffee. I usually wake up very early and it takes me a bit longer to fully wake up than it used to 20 years ago and during this time I just let my mind wander on its own and it usually end up with thinking about watches, life and cats, but not necessarily in this order and it's my subconscious that does most of the heavy lifting. I just play with the camera and get a bunch of pictures.
By the time I get to my second coffee I already have my thoughts in order and it really only takes a few minutes to post them here. The hardest part is selecting which few pictures are worth posting because most of them are just meh.
I wish that I had this discipline. I have a morning coffee ritual and when I start thinking about watches it leads me into some sort of mental cul-de-sac like why the Athenian ships stayed on the beach at Aegospotami and I can't make the connection to my daily watch and I give up.
Love the islanders. I got the black dial skx homage and put a pepsi bezel on. Its been an absolute trooper of a watch!
I kinda wish i got the wave dial while they were still available. Its a beautiful piece and very unique. Thanks for sharing your story 🙌
Love the islanders. I got the black dial skx homage and put a pepsi bezel on. Its been an absolute trooper of a watch!
I kinda wish i got the wave dial while they were still available. Its a beautiful piece and very unique. Thanks for sharing your story 🙌
The great wave dial is still available. Not the ISL-68 mini turtle, because it was discontinued quite fast, but the Samurai lookalike ISL-62 is still sold AFAIK.
Do you think a nice leather strap could transform it into a "Fall/Winter watch" for you? I like the mini-turtle style case, which is similar to the ones the mod shops offer, but love the shape of the OEM Seiko mini-T more. If Marc had offered one shaped more like the original, I would've been all over it.
Do you think a nice leather strap could transform it into a "Fall/Winter watch" for you? I like the mini-turtle style case, which is similar to the ones the mod shops offer, but love the shape of the OEM Seiko mini-T more. If Marc had offered one shaped more like the original, I would've been all over it.
Maybe but the ISL-68 is a thick watch that looks natural on a bracelet and I say it as someone who is not enamored with metal bracelets.
Maybe but the ISL-68 is a thick watch that looks natural on a bracelet and I say it as someone who is not enamored with metal bracelets.
I hear you. Unfortunately, the "smaller" diameter NH powered divers always look a little tubby to me. The bracelet IS your best option, I'm sure. I imagine a thick leather band to suit it may not be the most comfortable to wear.
Great text and I like the pictures provided alongside it. Sure hope you have another watch that'll bring you as much peace of mind during the busier cold season... Though I'm sure some watches pair perfectly with a nice wool cardigan and a fireplace.