Islander Watches, what are your opinions?

What are your thoughts on Islander Watches? Honest opinions only please.

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Honestly…Fix the ridiculous logo and I’d consider buying one. Needs to be completely redone.  

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JackieMoon_LMS

Honestly…Fix the ridiculous logo and I’d consider buying one. Needs to be completely redone.  

This 👆😄

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I had the pilot/field watch, Isl-54 maybe?  It was okay but the dial was printed off center so the 3 was a little low.  The logo bugged me too, and reminded me of the alarm icon on my phone.  I dont know anyone that wants to look at a watch and think about getting up at 5:45 on a Monday.  My buddy has an SKX clone that is actually pretty nice, but its an SKX clone.  Mark seems like a decent enough guy but I wonder why he gets a pass on basically knocking off Seikos. 

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To me it clutters the dial even more and makes matters worse putting “islander” there. I love the dial and case design but the eyeless snowman head logo is ugly. He asked for an honest opinion 😂

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As a Long Islander myself I've never seen one in the flesh, but they seem inoffensive, though I think I'd rather get a Seiko. 

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There’s a lot of logo talk when it comes to Islander. Personally, I don’t mind the logo, I typically don’t let logos make or break a purchase, but there are definitely some exceptions to that. As far as their watches- I think they look fantastic for the most part.  They look robust enough to last a lifetime, and they have some great dial designs. Can’t say I’ve ever worn one though, but I’ve cruised through the online store a few times. 

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I'm a casual fan and will likely get one at some point. 

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southernwatch

I had the pilot/field watch, Isl-54 maybe?  It was okay but the dial was printed off center so the 3 was a little low.  The logo bugged me too, and reminded me of the alarm icon on my phone.  I dont know anyone that wants to look at a watch and think about getting up at 5:45 on a Monday.  My buddy has an SKX clone that is actually pretty nice, but its an SKX clone.  Mark seems like a decent enough guy but I wonder why he gets a pass on basically knocking off Seikos. 

I think he gets a "pass" because the SKX is out of production, and he delivers what people wanted Seiko to deliver with the SKX replacement, and openly states that was what he was trying to accomplish. 

I have been tempted by a few of them over the years, but there is always something that makes me hold off on the purchase. One day I'll likely grab one, but I just haven't seen "the one" yet. 

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They don’t do much for me. Admittedly I’m not familiar with the current offerings, but at the time I last checked in I could sum then up as “Seiko with mods”. I’d rather have the Seiko.

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The thinner logo is better, but it's not quite there for me. If the logo of your watch company is going to be a literal picture of a watch, it better be well beyond just competent in its design. Something about that triangular hand needs to change, but I'm not sure what. Outline it? Replace it with a line? Negative triangle in solid circle? I don't know, not a designer. I just know that logo on a watch is like a hairy mole on a beautiful face.

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KristianG

I think he gets a "pass" because the SKX is out of production, and he delivers what people wanted Seiko to deliver with the SKX replacement, and openly states that was what he was trying to accomplish. 

I have been tempted by a few of them over the years, but there is always something that makes me hold off on the purchase. One day I'll likely grab one, but I just haven't seen "the one" yet. 

He does other Seiko models too though.  Monsters, turtles, etc etc.  I don't really care, and I might get a turtle clone and mod it, since it would be cheaper than starting from scratch, but he basically makes knock off watches.  

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I agree with CW as well 😂

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southernwatch

He does other Seiko models too though.  Monsters, turtles, etc etc.  I don't really care, and I might get a turtle clone and mod it, since it would be cheaper than starting from scratch, but he basically makes knock off watches.  

I hate to say it but you can get the same watch for a third of the price on AliExpress and can mod from there. Same quality too from the islander skx clone and varies ali watches I’ve handled.…

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In general I'm impressed with Islander- I'd consider them a worthy purchase, much along the lines of some of your better microbrands. 

I agree with most of the comments about the logo. The design would be better served by a custom script treatment of "Islander" along the lines of the "Railmaster" style names of Omega, or "Breitling" perhaps. I'd much rather see that than the simple circle/pacman graphic-but the text would need to be SMALL! 

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JackieMoon_LMS

I hate to say it but you can get the same watch for a third of the price on AliExpress and can mod from there. Same quality too from the islander skx clone and varies ali watches I’ve handled.…

Yeah but its almost worth the difference to order from someone here in the states.  

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ChronoGuy

Great summary and you are clearly a real fan of the brand.

I've hated the logo since I first saw one of Marc's watches. I wanted to support the brand having grown up on the Island. But that logo kept me from buying his watches until this year.

So it's supposed to be a lighthouse beam...🙄 

Maybe Montauk Point?

Here are the two that I picked up:

The logo here is more subdued as it fits in like an instrument dial on this racing watch

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The dial here helps to obscure the obnoxious logo so makes it acceptable

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Hey, how do you like the Northport? Really considering it...

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JackieMoon_LMS

Honestly…Fix the ridiculous logo and I’d consider buying one. Needs to be completely redone.  

Didn't a cruncher post a recommended logo for islander on this forum?

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UnholiestJedi

I'm a casual fan and will likely get one at some point. 

Let me know when you get one. I works like to try on one of their bigger divers. Northport, samurai, monster...

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Kclouis

Mixed.

I’m glad Marc is probably the only person in the world making a SKX013 clone, so if I lose my 013, it’s not the end of the world.

That said, I feel like most of his watches are an exercise is “checking off the boxes” both in design and spec.

Sapphire crystal? Check. 
Female end links? Check. 
Sapphire bezel? Check.

The only exceptions to a bland-ish executions (but checking every box enthusiast spec wish list)  specific forms of watches have been generally, the SARBjust (I’m really glad he didn’t do a copy of the SARB) and the Northport.  
 

Spot on, man. It was like a checklist he followed. Rationally, the watch makes sense. Maybe just missing some soul?

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thewatchzealot

Hey, how do you like the Northport? Really considering it...

It's a solid watch and good value. I have watches across the range of entry-level to luxury. Marc does a great job of delivering a Seiko-style of solid watch with upgraded features and higher quality control than entry level Seikos.

If you are a fan of Seiko, then you will be happy with the Islander for sure.

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JackieMoon_LMS

Honestly…Fix the ridiculous logo and I’d consider buying one. Needs to be completely redone.  

Haha, I can't put my finger on it. Why does it look ridiculous and so ugly? My wife said the same thing when I showed her the watch 

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southernwatch

I had the pilot/field watch, Isl-54 maybe?  It was okay but the dial was printed off center so the 3 was a little low.  The logo bugged me too, and reminded me of the alarm icon on my phone.  I dont know anyone that wants to look at a watch and think about getting up at 5:45 on a Monday.  My buddy has an SKX clone that is actually pretty nice, but its an SKX clone.  Mark seems like a decent enough guy but I wonder why he gets a pass on basically knocking off Seikos. 

How are their pilot watches? I've never handled those before

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ChronoGuy

It's a solid watch and good value. I have watches across the range of entry-level to luxury. Marc does a great job of delivering a Seiko-style of solid watch with upgraded features and higher quality control than entry level Seikos.

If you are a fan of Seiko, then you will be happy with the Islander for sure.

Thank you, sir. I think we are Marc's target audience

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@benswatchclub - what do you think of Long Island Watch and Islander watches?

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thewatchzealot

@benswatchclub - what do you think of Long Island Watch and Islander watches?

@thewatchzealot As others have said, they seem like decent quality watches; I'm generally just not a fan of 'homage'/clone style watches - much prefer original designs where possible. Also, I think the logo is ugly. That being said, I'm sure there's a market for these; in a similar vein to San Martin etc.

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I just acquired the newly redesigned ISL-38, also known as the "IslanderJust" and I love it. I owned a SARB033, too, but this just barely beats the SARB for a few reasons; a quieter rotor (my SARB had loads of rotor noise), a hefty bracelet and an accurate hi-beat movement with the 9015. All for $349. It feels amazing. I don't mind the logo at all, I think it looks just fine. I wish mine also had Islander wordmark below the logo like on the Northports but oh well. I get that it's a homage or whatever to a few different watches (a SARB and Rolex Oyster) but it doesn't bother me, surprisingly. It's a lovely watch.

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golfping59

I just acquired the newly redesigned ISL-38, also known as the "IslanderJust" and I love it. I owned a SARB033, too, but this just barely beats the SARB for a few reasons; a quieter rotor (my SARB had loads of rotor noise), a hefty bracelet and an accurate hi-beat movement with the 9015. All for $349. It feels amazing. I don't mind the logo at all, I think it looks just fine. I wish mine also had Islander wordmark below the logo like on the Northports but oh well. I get that it's a homage or whatever to a few different watches (a SARB and Rolex Oyster) but it doesn't bother me, surprisingly. It's a lovely watch.

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Watch looks fantastic - except for the logo.

Don't you think that logo looks like an old fashioned egg timer?

Retro Kitchen Timer — Kikkerland Design Inc
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ChronoGuy

Watch looks fantastic - except for the logo.

Don't you think that logo looks like an old fashioned egg timer?

Retro Kitchen Timer — Kikkerland Design Inc

I suppose it does, but I really don't mind it. I understand the criticisms but frankly, I didn't care.

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I have a few Islanders... I understand what people say about the logo, and I also dont like When they make homages. Besides that... you get a lot for the cash you pay

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Droptuned83

I like this brand alot. Logo is fine for my mind. Simple and I like that. Good value, even importing to the UK.

I won't buy from the Chinese Amazon site and support their economy. Happy to buy from a proper erican company. Good solid and stylish range. I like them.

How much is the import duty from us to the UK? Cheers