New Islander Sands Point. The First Titanium Islander

I was initially intrigued, I think the styling with the rubber strap and color is prettygood and I do like the  Seiko Sumo handset.

But like you, the case shape is pretty boring and it doesn't seem to be breaking much new ground.  I doubt I'll remember this one in a couple weeks.

I like the dials on the blue and green versions, and I like that they're titanium, but I also wish they would have gone with something other than the SKX case. I'm really not a fan of fitted rubber straps, either, especially the ones with the metal diver clasps. I've never handled one in person, and maybe wearing one would change my mind, but I just don't like the look of them. Unfortunately, Marc's baseline prices are increasing, and titanium goes for a premium, so the price is expected. As his prices go up, the likelihood of me purchasing anymore brand new Islanders is slim, unless they absolutely blow me away. 

I like the ‘Brain Coral’ model. But the rubber strap you gotta cut?…I don’t know. 

Yes, he mentioned in a video that he was having to increase prices to keep up with increased costs. I am not against paying that much for an Islander; I did get the Rangemaster while it was available. It is more the truly uninspired design that has me hesitant to drop that amount of money for this watch. $400 is just too much for me to want to spend on a titanium SKX homage with Sumo hands. I have appreciated his newer designs, especially the collaborations with Marvin Menke of Hemel. I got both the Hawkeye and the Penn, but this one just really leaves me feeling flat.

I'm not against paying that much for an Islander either, but it needs to be something special. Plus, that's a big purchase for me. My watches usually come from Christmas or birthday money/presents, or I have to sell some things to get extra money. Everything else is going into the house, pretty much. Marc has had several watches that I've just had to pass on for other things/watches that took priority. I really do like that Penn, but I don't know where I would wear it (not necessarily my style, even though it looks good) and it might be a little small for me. The Hawkeye was also nice. I love an H-Link bracelet, and if he would have put an engraving of an E-2 Hawkeye on the back, I would definitely be saving for it. I purchased a slightly used Northport last year at a decent price, though it ended up having an issue that needed to be fixed. It was one of those impulse bids on eBay that I didn't expect to win. In hindsight, I wish I would have went with my first instinct and bought either a Seiko mini turtle or the Orient Kamasu. My ISL-39 (The Islander I paid the most for) also has a slight chapter ring/hands alignment issue that I didn't notice right away, and can probably just fix myself one day. These small issues have left me a little weary of spending 'big' money on the brand right now. Plus, I have a number of mods/builds in my head, which will take a couple of years to play out, unless I hit the lottery! I've seen a dial similar to the Sands Point blue dial on eBay & AliEx recently, and if I ever see that green seaweed dial, I'll think about just building a mod with it. 

I like it, but pass. This wouldnt fit in my current collection well. I'm waiting for him to produce more original designs less than 40mm since I have so many that size or bigger, and I'd love to see thinner models with the Ameriquartz movement. They're coming I think. 

I do understand being hesitant if you have experienced QC issues with past Islanders. I have not had any alignment or other issues with QC, and I have bought well over a dozen Islanders. I have since sold many of them, including a Northport that just didn't click with me. I prefer the Bayport myself out of all the diver style Islanders. I got the Penn because I am also a model train hobbyist, and the Penn has become the watch I wear for that. 😁

I just have the three Islanders, and the only issue I had with my first (ISL-19) was that I had to change the clickspring, because my toddler grabbed the bezel with her superhuman strength and cranked it the wrong way. 😂 I'll fix the Brookville's alignment one day when I'm bored. I totally understand not clicking with the Northport. Like I said, I bid on it, didn't expect to win since it was right after it initially sold out, but somehow managed to win it. The issue was with the second hand rubbing the crystal, which would stop the watch once the power reserve was low. I sent it off and it was fixed, but I could have done it myself if I had known. My other issues with it have been mainly with the bracelet, which doesn't impress me at all. It even has an issue with the factory spring bars, which are loose in the lug holes when used without the factory endlinks (like on a regular strap). I've never come across that before. The upgraded clasp is meh, the taper was too much, and I'm not a fan of the female endlinks (on that watch). The blue of the dial/CR is a little more turquoise than the pictures let on, but it's still a good looking watch. Also, the bezel insert is ever so slightly misaligned. If someone was willing to buy it, I would sell it, but I would have to disclose all those issues, and probably take a loss.