Island Watches

Check @Candide3693 's posts. He runs a tab there.

I only have a few...😂

Obviously, I am a fan of what Marc has done with the Islander brand. Generally, what you are getting is a watch that takes its cues from other watches put out by big brands, but at a better price and with some improvements. Every Islander has sapphire crystal, at least 100M water resistance (all the dive models have 200M), a Seiko NH movement in all models except for the hi beat dress watches, which have a Miyota 9015 movement, and the two quartz movement models, which have Ameriquartz movements, and all except for the Ameriquartz field watch have screw-down crowns. Those models with exhibition case backs also have sapphire crystal on the back.

Prices range from $179 to $355, and I think you are getting a lot of bang for your buck. You can find better deals on AliExpress, but there are quality control issues. Quality control for the Islanders is at least as good as most entry level big brands, and is probably better than Seiko lately. 😉

Marc began with SKX homages in which he had "fixed" the problems by adding a sapphire crystal and an NH36 movement that allows hacking and hand-winding. This is one of the earlier SKX homages in Long Island Watch colors; the #ISL-10.

This one also has a fully lumed ceramic bezel.

I have a thing for the blue sunburst dials on many of the Islander models and I will gravitate to the blue dial variant if it is available. Some of my blue dial Islanders.

The early models were all dive watches until; he began releasing some other styles of watches; dress, field and pilot.

He has continued to expand the range of Islander models, and the most recent even feature original dials and cases. Here are the recent racing models with dials designed by Marvin Menke of Hemel. I actually passed on these; the dial just didn't appeal to me.

The first model with an original case design is the Bayport, and I did get one of these, in blue of course. It is really a great design and size, at 40mm.

The most recent releases are the five variations of the Southold, another model with an original case design. I don't have one yet, but I am planning on getting one later this year.

Of course I will be getting it in blue. 🤣

There is one last Islander I bought, but it is not in my collection, it is in my wife's; the #ISL-93.

A dive watch Marc released for women. My wife loves hers.

Overall, I would recommend Islander as a good option for someone wanting to begin looking at microbrands, although I think the Islander brand may be starting to produce and release too many watches to be called a microbrand for much longer. There are currently numerous styles and models with over 100 variants listed.

I have three and have given one as a gift. They offer good value and I like the designs. Marc is a great guy and the customer service is amazing, that goes a long way with me.

Thanks for the lesson on Islander! It’s definitely a brand I want in the collection. Especially since I recently moved to Long Island, I feel obligated to have one! Amazing collection you have! You also answered my question of whether it can be considered a micro brand or not. Thanks again!!!

You weren’t kidding. That was a masterclass on Islander watches!

If the watches were cheaper maybe. I can get a Seiko Monster, Samurai, Seiko 5, Glycine etc. for 350 or less new to mint condition. The did want their diver collab with Lume Shot.

I've known of Island watch long before he got in deep with making his own watches, so I've seen the whole thing coming along - and I think it's pretty good. Marc's a solid guy, and particularly with him getting into some more unique stuff, there's some really interesting watches in the range now.

I’ve had a couple Islanders so far, and will have a couple more coming soon. Quality has been great so far, and Marc offers excellent customer service If needed. 

I’ve got two! Both are pretty nice, decent bracelets, reliable movements and good value. The first one I bought was the ISL-79 which has a Panerai-esq case style and has a bunch of SKX parts, so it’s easy to mod if you’re into that. I recently picked up the Southold and I’ve gotten a ton of compliments. It’s a good size for me and looks great. I also bought one of their bracelets for my Samurai since it came factory on rubber. Their Bracelets have solid end links and aren’t rattle-y like factory seiko bracelets. 

I don't own one, but I'd like to lol

CCC 3693 Certified can’t go wrong here

I only have one despite originally hailing from The Island...incredibly well made - I just hate Marc's logo - I cannot get over it...although it kinda works on this one...swapped out the strap for an inexpensive Gulf livery NATO...

Very nice! Definitely adding an Islander to the collection

I haven’t heard one bad thing said about Marc

That's really nice! What isl reference is it please?

There are sure to be some Islander GMTs coming eventually too. 

Thanks - ISL-136 Islander Gulf Racing Watch

Thanks for the kind words - I am a sucker for the Gulf livery and that finally launched me into Islander. I knew Marc's watches sold fast because he has such excellent prices for the quality build, so I jumped on this one the same morning I received Marc's email. Definitely very happy with it.

I love some of the mods Marc has done to his Islanders, but having no modding talent myself and Marc being unwilling to sell mods, I sadly don't own any of them.

Thank you!

And a chronograph!

Yes, it is true that you can get big brands for close to the same price, but many of them won't have sapphire crystal and screw-down crowns, especially for the models that are not divers. I will freely admit that there is not as much value in the divers as there is in the dress, field, pilot, and other models, at least in my opinion.

Also, Marc frequently has sales where you can get some great deals. I actually got this watch on sale for $199.

Anti-reflective domed sapphire crystal, embossed ceramic bezel, and all the other Islander diver features.

I reccomend the Islander brand each watch that I own so far been splendid including the quality control and customer support. I myself have 9 in my collection. I got the pogue version this week as well. 

Very nice! I’ve been checking out the Islander. 

That's a great collection of Islanders! Love it!

I actually had no idea they were holding value so well! I am not on reddit that much as it is really negative. Further, I am a collector, and I have a real problem selling anything out of any of my collections. 🤣 Still, it is nice to know they are holding their value, at least currently.

Yeah, I believe about half my collection is no longer available, including this one which is not strictly an Islander, but is one that generates a lot of interest. It is the Spinnaker LIW collaboration.

I don't really think of this one as an Islander and didn't include it with my Islander collection.

The Bayport looks very interesting, but still kind of homage-esq in my opinion. I like my Southhold and it’s brought up pretty interesting conversations with a couple of my watch buddies. I’m looking forward to seeing what else Marc has in the pipeline! 

I do like the look of the Southold, and I am not sure which one I would have picked if I had waited a bit before getting my Bayport. I like the look of the Southold a bit more primarily because of the 6:00 date window, but I love, love, love the size of the Bayport! The 42mm and 43mm Islander divers are great, but just a bit larger than I like. I have never got one of the 38mm Islander divers, because I have an SKX013 that is just on the smallish size for my taste. The Bayport is my favorite Islander diver already, and is becoming one of my top three Islanders, if not my outright favorite, and the size and shape of the case are a large part of that. The lugs curve just right for my wrist and I feel it is the most comfortable diver in my collection.

I like Island Watches offerings, they seem priced right for the specs they have, actually they seem like a great deal. IMHO, I like having diversity in my collection, styles and brands. 

Being from New York I can tell Marc is a honest fair guy. He is smart and he knows his watches. One of the best micro brands out there.