I own two Islanders and they won't be the last! Marc made no bones about why he began offering them after Seiko announced the termination of SKX models. But he's moved way beyond that now and the sky is the limit. He's even come out with a group of titanium divers, each with their own unique dial. What makes Marc somewhat unique is his ability to listen to the market instead of telling it what they should want.
FYI-that caseback is the famous lighthouse in Montauk at the end of Long Island. A reference to the “Islander” brand here on Long Island. With his $300 watch he checks off a lot of boxes. Also many Seiko fans often said that they wanted sapphire crystals and ceramic bezels. Mark did this with Islander at a crazy competitive price.
Even as an homage, the initial versions were built with better parts than the Seikos, albeit without the ISO certification. Mark runs a lot lower profit margin per piece than Seiko. And, he didn't start his line until Seiko killed the ISO certified SKX line, replaced by the non ISO Seiko 5s line, anyway. Islander is a project and labor of love for Mark at Long Island Watch. Plus, he's TRYING to find American manufacturers who can cost effectively allow made in America pieces in the future.
I have 7 Islander watches in my collection. And I hope to have many more. I bought about 5 or 6 watches from Marc before he started his brand. I bought the very first ISL01 then several more. The latest one I bought was the Rangemaster collab with TGV.
I have to say that I think the collaboration with TGV is designed and executed very well, and I am excited to see their next collaboration. I got a Rangemaster while they were available as well, and it has become my goto GADA watch, seeing more wrist time than any other watch in my collection.
Great topic! I own Marks OG pilot watch. For $200 it is a good value with a nice blue dial and is very accurate. The strap was to short for my BIG WRIST, but I have too many straps laying around to count, so that's fine.
I now have 4 Islander watches and have been very pleased by all aspects of the watches and the business model Marc has created. The quality of materials, finishing and fit of all components are exemplary, easily surpassing most Seikos I own. I've been very pleased by the accuracy of the Seiko NH movements in the watches. When I queried Marc as to whether or not they regulate them he made a casual comment that they try to insure they're "within 15 spd". Mine have all been in single digit range, with my oldest, an ISL 02, consistently running in the 2 - 4 spd range over the 3 years I've owned it. I had a problem with the movement in a recent purchase. Marc immediately, and personally (!), directed their watch repair contractor to replace the movement. Done and done - no problems with new movement, quick turnaround, and no blemishes anywhere on the watch. The singular most impressive element of dealing with Island watch is the founder, owner and spokesperson, Marc Frankel's personal involvement in resolving any questions or concerns of his customers. Oh, if only other microbrands would do this it would make taking a chance on a micro a lot more enjoyable, and less risky
Mark is a good guy and I wish him much success with his watch line. A lot of thought and effort goes into these watches and they offer a very good value.
I own two Islanders: ISL-135 and the ISL-153 “Rangemaster”. Both have been reliable timepieces, and I wear them weekly. I’d love to see him come up with his own movement one day.
Creating his own movement takes years of development and accrues huge costs to the manufacturer in doing so. This why only the major brands appear to create own movements and is generally prohibitive to smaller independents and micro brands. Nice watches though.
I'm so glad I found your video. I've been shopping around for my 1st watch and had been eyeballing Islander and your video just pushed it home for me, thanks a lot.
You can't go wrong with Marc. He is an honest business man who backs everything he sells. He'll answer any emails you send him and help you pick out a great watch to fit your needs and your budget.
The sea foam green Islander is a stunner, the case is based on the design of the case of the Seiko 62MAS & the recent re-issues / 'reimaginings' of that watch.
I just ordered the ISL #83 field watch with full lume dial. Waiting patiently for it to arrive. My experience with LIW has been great. I also ordered a LIW bracelet for my Citizen diver. Great product. Thanks for the vid. 👍
I own two divers of his. Wear them all the time (especially as my nomos is in Germany for servicing right now.) Right now I have been wearing the mint green "monster". It's gorgeous. I also bought one of the first run 43mm pilots watches from him for my dad. He loves it. Runs great. Great guy, great company, great team, etc.
I have two of the Islander "Monsters". Full DLC with a carbon fiber dial, and full lume dial with a DLC bezel. Both are super solid and great looking watches, perfect automatics for someone who mostly wears G-Shocks.
I have four Islanders that I have purchased from Marc (actually have a Hemel also from him). The first Islander was the Seafoam, then an Abalone dial diver, then the Rangemaster, and recently the white Sands Point Titanium full lume. All have been great. Really can't get better value anywhere else.
I picked up the same 155 when it came back into stock, and it's a favorite. Just about the only thing I'd look to change or improve is the bezel lume. The white half of the bezel has amazing lume, but the green half just goes dark. Either white/lume numbers instead of black on the green half or making the green color lumed would be an improvement. As it is, half of the bezel is useless in the dark, and that half includes the first 15 minute markers that most users will naturally want to use to start short timing periods. That nitpick aside, the 155 really highlights all of Islander's strengths as a brand. Striking, well-thought-out design, quality materials, excellent workmanship, tight tolerances.
I own 4 (including the isl155). Love them!!!! I purchased 8 watches from Long Island Watches. I admire what Marc and Ryan are doing over there! Thanks for the vid
Islander watches offers unparalleled value. Marc and his team are knocking it out of the park. I have four Islanders and many more will be coming to the collection.
I got one Islander and TBH I was all-in after my first purchase. Not only is the merchandise an outstanding value-for-cost proposition, esp. compared to the big-name inspiration for the OG Idlanders, (they come stock with all the mods a watch person would need to add to a Seiko, and everything lines up! Whadya know?) but Marc & his team at LIW provide OUTSTANDING customer service that makes me actually like giving th my money. I am now the proud owner of 💸six💸 Islanders that all get wrist time, and couldn't be happier about it. Zero buyer's remorse. The 38's are great, the Bayports are also great, and the Spinnaker collab is an absolute dime. Islander ISL-021 38mm Emerald Islander ISL-049 38mm Pepsi Islander ISL-122 Bayport (green) Islander ISL-123 Bayport (grey) Islander ISL-151 38mm Pan Am Islander P-5094-LIW11 (bred) + Spinnaker Croft LE Hi-beat Next up: that sweet "Day-T" with a champagne dial 🔥🔥🔥
Nice collection! I can't remember how I found them but I've had 3 Islanders since. The latest being the blue/white Northport. They do it all; selection, quality, and value. Great review.
Marc is absolutely incredible! You’d be hard pressed to get better customer service anywhere else. I had an issue once, that wasn’t even his fault, and he took care of it incredibly fast. Before I even knew what was happening. He made me a customer for life. They are beautiful watches and incredible value for the money.
Great video, I have 4 islanders and love them all. And yes, I too missed out on the 155, but I'll keep trying. That said, the real reason I like dealing with them is Mark himself as well as his team. Mark has gone to extraordinary lengths to bring tremendous value to his customers and these days people like him are unfortunately few and far between.
I have the Seafoam as well. The value and quality for money is incredible. I wear it on a rubber strap I also got from them. Highly recommend the brand. I'm also running about +/- 2sec which blows my mind 😉
Most of the parts from Mark's first releases could be bought on aliexpress to build your own skx mod for fairly cheap. But i will say he has came a long way from those first couple of releases. The last year or so he has been doing more unique watch designs.
Nice watches. Absolutely need quick release bracelets and micro-adjusts as standard To take the brand to the next level. Beautiful sea-foam. Would have to put it on an after market bracelet or white strap as it stands currently
I have been holding out for an Islander watch for some time. Living in Australia with the exchange rate being not great I find Citizen watches better value locally. However your review of that beautiful sea foam finished dial has convinced me to research further into costings. I prefer a nice Silicon strap on my watches and would invest in one of Marc's many straps. I do think Marc should supply a silicon strap in the correct colourway to the dial. Great review and love your collection of Islanders.
Your vid just hit my feed tonight, but I'll chime in late anyway! I have three Islanders - the 141 Abalobe diver was my first early this year, followed by the 208 JFK GMT and the 226 ISL-TGV Rangemaster collab. I really like the 141 but I absolutely love the last two. They punch way above their weight class for workmanship, timekeeping, and value. Their design crew is doing great work, and Marc has put customer service front and center. Recently I inquired about buying some extra links for the 141 and 208 to better fit my gorilla wrists; next day they were shipping. No charge, no shipping. Who does this in 2023? I know I will be buying more Islanders...maybe that seafoam?
Thanks for the comments and great to hear you're having a similar brand experience 🙂👍 the fact they'll send free links is such a great touch. After Islanders I resent brands charging me for extra links. Anyway definitely get the seafoam 😉 and have a great week weekend 🍻
Have the robin blue OP homage islander. Has a 9s miyota movement with a see through caseback. It’s my everyday watch and I love it. Will be buying another in a different color. Mark seems to really love bringing affordable quality watches. Shipping was 3-4 days. For the money think they are great.
I got my first, ISL-36, last week. Haven’t hardly taken it off. Couldn’t be happier, excellent value for money. I highly recommend. That 155 is awesome.
I think Islander watches fill a huge hole in the market, and the watches themselves are magnificent. Had and sold their baby ice monster version, and still have an ISL-09 and a Brookville in green aventurine. The Brookville is probably my favorite watch :)
I’m currently looking to buy my first automatic watch. Was dissapinted when tried the Seikos 5, and even other in the higher price range (up to $450). The bacelets and clasps where soooo cheap. Links are hollowand felt like a toy. I have designer battery watches that are better built. Came across this brand turning an interest in “microbrands” and I’m really considering it for my first. I love the 43mm Automatic Dual-Time Sapphire Crystal, and Luminous Sapphire Bezel. Your video is helping me a lot thak’s to no filters and great review. You have a very nice selection. Ps. Also loving 43mm Automatic Dive Watch with Sunburst Gold Dial and Maroon Accents #ISL-149 🤤 I have a soft spot for vintage looking things. They also have a waffle dial gmt with similar specs. Keep it UP. 👍
Thank you for the kind words - microbrands are definitely the way to go if you want the best value for money and Islander are a very safe place to put your money, good reputation and support incase you did have any issues. I saw the new waffle GMTs they look excellent actually - especially I like the white. Appreciate the comments 🍻 and let me know if you end up grabbing one exactly what you think... I still have my first one which must be getting on 4 years old now still running like a champ 🙂
Got an ISL-203 for Xmas, really like it. Picked up multiple Seikos/Orients from Marc in the past. He's a real watch guy and quick to get back to you. Recommend him 100%
I have the 38mm in the emerald green and I just simply love it! I put it on a rubber FKM strap and it looks great. I love the sea foam but that thing sells out like hot bread lol. Good review!
I recently bought my first Islander, it’s actually a collab with Spinnaker-so far so good. As you stated, for the money you get a better than decent watch that won’t break the bank. Great video.
I bought a German "Trias" pilot pvd full lume dial from Marc in 2005-ish (can't remember exact year). Best purchase and introduction to automatic watches. Every really dumb question I had was answered personally by him. 👍
I have 12 Islander watches.all of which are divers.one thing I like about LIW is marc uses screw pins to size the bracelets.i came home to find my islander watch sitting on the porch from ups..i unboxed it and sized it before the watch had time to warm up from the weather outside..thats how fast and easy it is to size the islander.they even come with the proper screw driver for that bracelet.and it sure beats the pin and collar system that some watch brands use..
I love that emerald dial. I have the ISL-18 with the blue dial and the ISL-2. I think the ISL-74 Batman will be my next purchase. Marc makes a great watch and the customer service is first class!
As for me I really like the islander line up of watches. Mark is a nice, personable person to say the least. A number of years ago I ordered the isl 15 when I had a little more money to splurge mark treated me right ordering it,and it's still running great. No problems with my purchase at all. Try it you might like it.😊
Islander watches are an upgrade from seiko watches. Sapphire crystal and regulated movement which blows away what seiko offers at this price point. Marc is absolutely killing it!
Hey just some feedback since I notice you're a new channel - the music in the transition screens are really loud compared to the rest of the video. Otherwise, very enjoyable video.
Thanks bud, appreciate the feedback -you are spot on, more like a jump scare when it kicks in! I've tried to fix this in the second video just uploaded today. Hopefully onwards and upwards. 🙂
I have the emerald green Islander with the white ceramic/stainless bezel except mine was the ISL 173 ?…..ISL 175 ? It is 38 mm and looks like a mini- Yacht Master :-) I bought my 38 mm , 1963 Chinese Pilot’s Watch from Marc as well. Great Customer Service, superb watches with a huge dose of QC. Fine vid. Just subbed! Thanks
Great choice 🙂👍... It is definitely piece of mind knowing you're buying from a business run by someone who is truly passionate about watches I think not just a faceless corporation. Cheers for the sub 😎🍻
Thank you for your video! I love your Islanders. I have the islaber 144 the dlc monster with a carbon dial and i absolutely love it! Ive said it b4. They took the monster we all love and upgraded it. Its a new beast. Yeah maybe Marc started as a homage but nowdays they have original design and superb quality. Did you see the titanium?? Pure joy..
Spot on - it's growing so fast as a brand! Monsters are wicked too, and the new titanium looks like an amazing every day wear... I also heard some rumours of NH34 GMT islanders coming soon too... I'm going to end up bankrupt haha
Thanks for the video. The first two look like fairly run-of-the-mill Seiko mods, but the last one is a bit special with that sexy dial and bezel. All nice pieces.
You nailed it with your comments on the sea foam Northport! Exactly the same situation as I was in, in fact I lusted after that darn watch throughout the time it sold out and was restocked. Talk about service and attention to customers demands, their marketing of this line was awesome. As soon as it was back I received an email and away I went, clickity click! Lol. A great looking watch at a decent price point!
I've been a customer of LIW for about four years now. I still recall one Christmas eve, a mate of mine was concerned about an Orient watch he had recently purchased. It was something to do with the movement and knowing Marc happened to carry this model, I decided to shoot him an email. It was late in the evening. Maybe ten or eleven PM on Long Island. My expectation was he would receive it after the holidays and I wasn't really concerned about it. It couldn't have been ten or fifteen minutes later I got a reply letting me know the watch was fine it was some quirk of that particular movement. I started hearing people mention having the same experience with him in their RU-vid videos . The guy really goes the extra mile for his customers and that also comes through in the quality of the Islanders.
great story, and exactly why I am happy to buy from LIW, service is key. Had some terrible experiences in other online stores and in the end regretted trying to save that last 10-15 dollars for the extra hassle. Thanks for taking the time to share!
Nice bunch of watches. I really like the Islander brand. That green was is lovely. The others too. I wish I could actually get them but shipping from the US is a bit of a nightmare to Istanbul. But one day hopefully. Excellent video. 👍
I bought one but returned it, the bezel was not aligned (I guess an accurate Seiko homage in that way). I had seen so many in videos that looked perfect, so was really disappointed I got one where it wasn't aligned. I've bought nearly a dozen Chinese watches off Aliexpress and never had an alignment issue with any of them, so ultimately didn't re-order after I sent it back. Shame though, it seemed decently made. Every time I see these videos I kind of wonder again, but I don't want to buy and return to get one with proper alignment. Maybe bad luck, but at least that was my experience.
Yeah I mean in all honesty with you, having handled hundreds of watches now - it's a problem with mass production of watches all over...Just some have better hit rates than others. My Squalematic is over $1k and that has a misaligned bezel from the Swiss factory and I've had many more especially sub $1k. Seiko are dismal though it seems to be a 50/50 at best... I haven't had any yet from Islander misaligned of the 5 or so I've bought, but I think every batch has a few it's just the speed they are assembled in the factory to achieve the selling price. Brands that are owner assembled or obviously once you get to the proper high end seem to be the only ones immune 😆 glad you got your money back though and an easy return if you weren't happy 🙂👍
Enjoyed the video, want to spend more time looking at Islander now. The sound/volume difference between your voice and the music in this vid is pretty wild. Blew my ears out a couple times in my headphones, ouch.
Service is second to none, but unfortunately have had to send the same watch back 3x for detached indices. I would like to believe the issue was unique to our watch.
Interesting - and sorry to hear that, I haven't heard of this very often on any watch aside from serious knocks, hope you get a resolution once and for all on it. I still have the dark green one shown in the video here in my collection, and it's never had an issue...touch wood. It must be coming on for 4-5 years old now.
Yes, they are more then SKX homages, they are homages to multiple Seikos. They are a better value than the Seikos they homage however. Looking forward to grabbing my first one.
Good to know that the quality is good, but I still can't see myself paying what they are charging. Maybe if they continue to inovate on the design I will change my mind...
Great video, it's nice to see some Islanders that have been used rather than just unboxing/reviews. One point for future videos, the transition screen music is loud/jarring. The music comes through much louder than your voice, so it's hard to set a comfortable volume.
Definitely mate! Always a trade off between a reputable company and ultimate value. Long time sub of your channel on my private account, cheers for watching 🙂👍
They look interesting. I am not so keen on the logo, that looks like a mini dial. I find it distracting. And unbalanced, like a circle with a pointer to the right. Just the name would be sufficient branding. But maybe in real life it looks less intrusive. And in the last watch, it looks more toned down.
New subscriber here. Great reviews of Islander watches. I am a big Islander fan myself, and have the blue Bayport, the Black Hawkeye, the gold Penn, and the Rangemaster in my own collection. I had a Northport but it didn't click with me, so I sold it. Perhaps if I had the sea green foam instead of the turquoise...I recommend Islander to newbies all the time.
Thanks for the sub! I was very tempted with the Hawkeye, amazing value for money and timeless design...maybe I should go for it! Would you recommend it?
Islander offer alot of watch/ specs compared to the Seiko 5 divers released. I did pick up my Seiko 5 for a discounted price. Umm, I think a Islander may be due in my collection soon.
Isn’t it surprising how a one-man company (now there are 3 or 4 working there but still..) can so close to the production of the original Seiko brand and be that successful? I have 2 Islanders.
Great review. I really wish I could get past the logo, but it just ruins the look for me. I love everything about it except that logo, but it kills it.
