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Anyone have experience with Islander watches from Long Island Watch?

25K views 73 replies 43 participants last post by  SigDigit  
#1 ·
I want an SKX013 and/or 007, but am weary of the used market after getting burned recently.

My buddy orders exclusively from Long Island Watch, so I know their service is top notch. However, he doesn’t have any of their Islander brand pieces.

Anyone have an Islander brand watch? Is it decent quality? I plan on using this as a daily driver, and I want it to hold up.

Thanks!
 
#2 ·
I cannot say I have experience with them. Have you seen the videos on Youtube? Check out some reviews from people who have purchased them on Youtube. You might even find videos of them being compared to the SKX. I can say the owner has been a Youtube presence since about 2015/2016 and seems like he has built a positive reputation.
 
#4 ·
Marc wouldn't stand behind the water resistance when he was just modding Seiko's, so I wouldn't trust a dive watch from him. I had a full lume ISL pilot however, and it was nice enough to cover what I needed it to cover.
 
#6 ·
Yes. I bought the light blue waffle samurai and the seafoam green monster, have had dozen or so watches ranging from seikos-citizens-alpina-and few others..........pretty much I will not trade out my Islanders.......too much value, they are like your best Seiko's but with sapphire, slightly heavier, and upgraded bracelets and pins. Everything else is trade bait. I do like Citizens, but my Islander's trump my Seikos, and I have samurais and monsters in both.....
 
#8 ·
I just get a little lost on these outside of platforms for modding. I’m sure they’re perfectly great, but the seikos they’re typically riffing on or outright copying are plentiful and not expensive. If you really want a budget seiko but not a 007, you can get a used but new turtle or Sammy for in the 300s or maybe even 200s. Sumos even in the 400s to high 300s all day.

I’m just not sure why I would ever pass one of those up for the islander. I’d also almost definitely go San Martin if I wanted to avoid the seiko route. Their newest batches are honestly better initial quality than these 007 era seikos ever were.
 
#9 ·
Marc's brand are good values for the money. He is a WIS, so I am sure he is helping everything work along the way until they are ready to sell.

His prices can go higher than others, IMHO, but he does have a good selection of watches, and the videos he makes are very informative.
 
#16 ·
If you're very specifically after the SKX013 or 007 look, then yes, at this point they are a much better buy than the ridiculous prices people are now asking for used original Seikos. If you just want a nice affordable Seiko diver though, an above poster makes a very good point - something like a King Samurai is maybe $50 more. It also hacks and handwinds, it also has sapphire, and it also has a ceramic insert, and it's an actual Seiko.

Image
 
#17 ·
I have the 04 and I like it a lot. The quality is very good.
In fact, I'm even considering getting another...the 156
when it comes back in stock.
 
#18 ·
They buy off the shelf cases and parts from Ali Express “homage” suppliers and put an islander logo on the dial. Not impressed.
 
#20 ·
this is not true at all. islander watches have their own original designs that if you watch his videos you can see that he adjusts and refines them over time in response to feedback. Many of his watches are already on the 2nd or 3rd iteration. i don't get why people would go out of their way to post negative comments without any knowledge of a subject.
 
#19 ·
i'm not that impressed with their service. A friend bought one, and subsequently chipped the crystal somehow. All he wants to do is replace the crystal himself (he is a DIYer). But they won't sell him a replacement crystal, nor will they tell him which part to buy or where to buy it to fix it. Epic service fail if you ask me.

It was his first step into the watch world, and based on this experience, he is a bit soured on the whole thing.
 
#24 ·
A good friend has an SKX clone and I had one of the field/pilots watches. I have also bought some mod parts from him. The dial on my field watch was printed very slightly crooked or set on the movement a little off, but it was very slight. I sold it to a friend and after years he hasnt noticed. Over all the quality was great, and I think youd love it.
 
#29 ·
Bought three in the last 10 days.

ISL-57 and ISL-46, ISL-131. ISL-131 was bought used with hands removed by PO(broken seconds pinion), other two from their "practice" watches. I'd say on par with the watches they emulate. The ISL-131 is hard to beat with the linen dial for the price, the "Monster" is on par if not slightly better than a Seiko, the Flieger is a first for my collection and doesn't displease but I'm not a DLC coating guy.
 
#44 ·
Bought three in the last 10 days.

ISL-57 and ISL-46, ISL-131. ISL-131 was bought used with hands removed by PO(broken seconds pinion), other two from their "practice" watches. I'd say on par with the watches they emulate. The ISL-131 is hard to beat with the linen dial for the price, the "Monster" is on par if not slightly better than a Seiko, the Flieger is a first for my collection and doesn't displease but I'm not a DLC coating guy.
How are the “practice” watches? Working or no? Their description says something like movement may not work but I’ve read elsewhere they were in great condition?
 
#33 ·
I am a professional at spotting bs (I actually make my living by doing that) and Mark is not a guy that can bs even if he wanted to do so. Either that or he's a better actor than DeNiro. If you want to put him to the test, buy an Islander watch and see if it lives up to what he claims. If it doesn't, come here and let us know what you think is the problem. Done deal.
 
#35 ·
I own 2 Islanders. One of them is my hardcore beater - I’m in the vacation rental business and spend my days doing my own maintenance and landscaping. With 3 cabins on 10 wooded acres, it takes a serious beating and survives admirably - while keeping very good time. The other is my game day watch - it’s dark red dial is perfect for watching the Alabama Crimson Tide. I have no complaints whatsoever and strongly recommend the brand.
 
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#43 · (Edited)
I ended up getting one, and had it overnighted.

The build quality and finish is outstanding for the price. Is it as nice as my Omega SMP? No, but I didn’t expect it to be. However, it’s way better than any Seiko I’ve had, and it feels and looks way more expensive than it actually is. I have zero complaints, and I’ll definitely be buying others!