Islander Republic GMT Just Got a Lot More Tempting

You know, I posted about this a few weeks ago and there didn't seem to be much interest for this watch, even with the discount. The fact that this model has been discounted for close to a month also tells me he is having trouble moving them.

Speaking for myself, it is hard to justify spending that much for an Islander, even a GMT with a Swiss movement. When he first announced it, I was really hoping for a GMT using the new Miyota 9075 that would be priced somewhere between $500-$600. I do believe it is a good quality watch, but it is not for me, even discounted to $700.

I probably would've bought one at launch if they had been $695 then. I still like the watch, but I'm not really a fan of polished center links, and I really don't need another GMT at the moment.

As far as the size, at 40mm, 12 thick, and 46.5 lug to lug, I imagine it would wear pretty well on smallish wrists. Probably similar to a Black Bay 58.

I'm hoping Marc will come out with a budget version someday with a Seiko or Miyota GMT and a brushed oyster style bracelet. 

Marc does accept returns as long as no packaging or plastic is removed, which would allow you to try the size. Let us know if you get one.

I like Marc from his YT's with TGV and think he does a good job with watches he's putting out. 

I just have different priorities with my watch purchases

Good point about the Miyota. I am guessing a lot of people wanting a GMT around this price may be waiting to see what models come out with that movement.
I have also been thinking that he probably has a lot of stock he can't move. With the popularity of GMT's, I am wondering if he went big on the amount of stock thinking these would be a hit.

Thanks for the point about returns. I didn't realize that. I have a BB58 and it wears like a dream, so that could be a good thing. I am wondering if we might even see another price cut next year with how slowly these seem to be moving (especially knowing the Miyota movement will likely see its way into some compelling watches soon).

Yeah, if these had come out last year they might have been a hit. But since Seiko introduced their budget GMTs, these have lost the perceived value they would have had.

Jack Mason just released a GMT with the Miyota 9075, and the Seiko NH34 is also now available. I believe Nth just released a model using that movement for $625, and the Seiko 5 GMT is back in stock. Finally, there is a Squale GMT available for $825 that uses the same movement as the Republic GMT. I think there are too many other options for a GMT out there for the Republic to seem reasonable, even at $695.

Yeah, not long before the Republic came out I bought a Steinhart GMT with a Sellita SW330 movement for less than $550 delivered.

No doubt , it's a great watch! Definitely worth the price.  

Traska is releasing a GMT with the Miyota next month. I believe the price is $695.

Oh sh… I thought this was a good proposition when he released it, but now it’s probably one I might have to pick up. I need a decent GMT really, but then again I don’t need anything. Maybe if he made a vintage looking edition?

It’s a shame if he is struggling to shift them, but as you say, fanbases are fickle.

So I was personally super excited about the GMT announcement but was turned off by the price and aesthetics. I was also hoping for the Miyota 9075 and feel that is the future for this brand. That being said, I found everything I wanted in the Jack mason true GMT. That is what I’m saving up for. 

I think it just was terrible timing for a release.  The NH34 pushed down caller GMT prices across the board and the new Miyota is a double whammy.

In the absence of a NH34 release, we'd probably be talking about these in terms of relative value prop vs monta and Chris Ward etc.  At this point, I don't think Islander has the brand equity to command price premiums for Swiss automatics (which says nothing about Mark or his generally very solid business practices). 

 Them's the kicks.

I think his pricing is fair but as others pointed out his timing was just wrong. Too much GMT competition at the price range and lower. 

Also its almost "too original". If he had done something more homagy I think it wouldve done better. As much as some of us claim to prefer original designs we sure like to buy things that look similar to popular luxury watches. Look how well his collab with TGV did on the Rangemaster.

Well, as you know, I have this watch and I am loving it so far. When it first came out I really loved the way it looked and finally got it after it went on sale after Black Friday and was able to add an extra coupon to help bring down the California tax, probably similar to a Steinhart price. 

     For me, it feels and looks fantastic on my wrist, the finishing is very nice and it keeps the best time out of any of my automatic watches.  As I said to you, the bezel action is stiff and I don't like the clasp. But overall and more importantly for me at least it just is very easy to wear and when I travel I like being able to have access to the GMT function for calling home to my family. 

    That all being said, before this I was going to get a Steinhart GMT, then I thought about a Christopher Ward. In the end though, I like the design of this best. How this plays out in the long run is anyone's guess, maybe the after honeymoon period I'll get tired of it. Eventually once it's had enough wrist time I'll do a noobie review of it. Sounds like so far I'm in the minority of owners. Oh and side note, for whatever it's worth, the box it came in was pretty nice too (for a sub-$1000 watch). 

The last thing I'll say is that I have 7" wrists and because of the relatively short lug to lug this 40mm watch fits me like a dream. (Unlike the Tissot Gentleman I have which is also 40mm but the lug to lug pushes out past my wrist a little bit so bit of a disappointment! )

Thanks all for the thoughtful input. I’ve never purchased a GMT and it appears that I’m not that well versed in the market compared to other types. Seems to be an fun time for GMTs and I’m excited to see what gets done in the next year with the Seiko and Miyota movements.

It's just bad timing. A +800US$ watch launched when the potential buyers were expecting a flood of cheaper GMT watches based on Seiko and Miyota new movements was not going to be a success.

I like the look of the Republic - it has some nice design details that set it apart from the current crop of GMTs (like the 24hr chapter ring and the airplane shaped GMT hand). In fact, I much prefer it over the design of the new Zelos Spearfish GMT...

A long distance exotic trip for me is to the Hometown Buffet the next city over for their early bird specials. So I suppose it would not behoove me to spend 700 bones on A GMT to track another time zone. 

Anybody's opinion on this watch... or the market segment it's in... changed in 5 months?

I don't currently own a GMT. And don't really "need" one. But I liked the look of this one. Really would rather spend £300-500 on something to add to my Seiko and G Shocks 🤦‍♂️🤣

I would honestly wait now. I think there’s a lot happening with the new movements and the next year should not only bring a lot of new GMTs but hopefully add models/ push some existing prices down into that range.

My only thought is WHY WOULD ANYONE hesitate to buy this watch when this whole forum seem happy to shell out over A THOUSAND DOLLARS for a gmt with a miyota. (not naming names) I’m just a big fan of Islander watches. Who else offers the selection value and customer service for the prices he does?