Hands-On Review of the ISLANDER 18 (The Best SKX Alternative You Should Be Buying)
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 5 ก.ย. 2024
- Designer Notes Subject 42
Hands-On Review of the ISLANDER 18
Island Watch is a small family owned and operated business committed to offering its customers brands and timepieces that you don't typically find in other storefronts. After some time, Marc Frankel, president of Island Watch, was inspired to produce his own line of watches based on the now popular Seiko modding community and materials. One of their best sellers, and often sold out pieces is the ISL-18. this watch is clearly inspired by the Yachtmaster but manages to stamp its own identity on your wrist. Here's a closer look.
Special thanks to Marc from Island Watch for helping out to get this piece into our channel. The islander will be the very first Microbrand watch we reviewed.
#islander #SKXalternative #Yachtmaster
Thanks for the review! Great job!
It’s really like getting a yacht master on the wrist. You made a clear winner with this one!
It’s really like getting a yacht master on the wrist. You made a clear winner with this one!
Marc is a awesome guy. Def recommend all my buddies too him
Your logo is the only thing keeping me from buying one of your watches. It's truly dreadful.
@@jlg395dial swaps are pretty simple mods tbh, you can get an oem skx dial to make it look even more original
I showed my islander, mmaster, and omega smp, to a watch newbee and she picked the islander as the most expensive, best quality.
There's a touch of class and luxury to it beyond precious metals and stones. The mm’s value is in the technical stuff that most newbies don't know. The SMP uses state of the art materials that is far better than the islander but simply looks shiny to the uninitiated. The islander sits just right for everyone even new comers.
I love the Islander brand. Additionally, I wanted white dial Yachtmasterish watch. I bought the ISL10 and added a silver bezel. When LIW starts selling the same bezel separately that is on the ISL18, I will put it on the ISL10 for my “Island Master” watch.
So much of watch pricing is either arbitrary or in minute details you won't notice short of holding a loupe to your eye and knowing exactly what you're looking for.
she?
I recommend that you try the 38mm version.
This is truly one of the best reviews I have seen on TH-cam for any product. I love Islander watches. I own 5 so far and will get more but this review encapsulated why I love them. Bravo. New subscriber for sure.
im really grateful for the kind words. this fuels us to keep making content. We strive ti improve all the time.
Stunning video. Have been thinking about an Islander since Seiko decided that ripping off their customers was a limited edition trend!
I got my ISL-18 a few weeks ago, it's running at +2sec a day and has a solid build quality, I absolutely love it! I have no regrets with my purchase and would highly recommend getting an islander.
✨⌚✨✌️😎👍
@@jason420jv1 I'm thinking about getting one myself I'm a newbie when it comes to watches, but these islanders look bad ass! How is the bracelet holding up and how is it in the water ? Thank you
The value of Islander watches is pretty impressive.
I just got the isl-18 a few weeks ago and I totally agree with you. ✨⌚✨
Loving the overlays
thanks!
I own two Islanders, love them. They are the best value for money.
My old Seiko 7002 sits. My ISL-02 is my go-to. LIW is tops. Own 5 now.
Seiko dropped the ball, respects from South Africa. Great chanel
I just bought my 3rd Islander watch and this model will be my 4th. I love them.
I need another one really.
It's difficult to find anything that looks this good for just over 300 bucks.
The price point and quality makes this watch a no brainier! This is a solid investment that'll last for decades.
Isn’t it just a modded skx at the end?
I think I will stick with Seikos for now
@@Sadhill25 yeah, stick with your Seiko with quality control issues. I'll stick with well made watches.
@@Sadhill25doesn’t apply now as the SKX is gone but: ay more and get less doesn’t seem like a good plan.
Great review!
It makes me wonder why someone would choose an SKX over an Islander. Fit and finish is better, Sapphire vs Hardlex, and a better bracelet at a lower price.
Wow great production quality and review, bravo!
I just found this channel today, after 5+ years of collecting and following watch related channels - this is hands down the best watch channel on TH-cam. Keep it up 👍
I'm really flattered! Thank you!
When you start comparing a watch to the Rolex then you start to get ideas for future mods and ideas. Though never forgetting the SKX as the base.
Actually that's a pretty good summary of the isl-18.
I received my ISL-18 a few weeks ago and I couldn't be happier with it. It's my very first mechanical watch and I can't wait to get another one....a samurai perhaps 🤔? The quality fit & finish is on point for a watch of this price. To be honest I feel like I'm wearing a much more expensive watch, not to mention it's running very accurate at +2sec a day, not bad for the Seiko NH36A. Long story short I'm very happy with my purchase and would recommend to anyone in the market for a good watch that you can't beat at this price. ✨⌚✨
Thank you for your comment. It’s this kind of remarks that keeps the watch hobby so interesting and addicting really. I agree fully about the isl 18 being such a high quality piece. This can retail for over a 1000 bucks easy.
My ISL-18 runs more accurately than my Rolex Sea Dweller! Love it.
As a guy who loves pink...finding a good pink dial automatic is pretty difficult. In came Islander watches to save my day. I love my pink Islander. It keeps accurate time and the qc was perfect on the watch. Everything is aligned properly, bezel feels smooth, and I love the tone of pink that was chosen. Its super clean and is pretty gender neutral. Gonna be buying a leather strap soon to make it a dress watch
Thanks for your comment. Marc has been really really good at hitting all the right spots when it comes to these design combinations for the islanders. I need to see a salmon dial in the flesh, really. I have a video coming up about pink watches again. hopefully it would peak your interest.
@@DesignAtelier I look forward to it
Great product review, but your videography and video editing skills are crazy good...on another level from anyone else in watch reviews. Well done.
Much appreciated!
This is the first video I’ve watched from your channel. I’m impressed. Excellent video and audio quality.
Thanks. I’ve improved quite a bit since. Hope you enjoy the rest.
Thanks for reviewing Islander I followed because you did
maybe I should revisit this one.
Islander is killing it!
Your presentation here is well done. Thanks for a review of this fine watch. Island Watch timepieces appear to be flying out the door! Marc obviously has a handle on what people want in a watch at a certain price point. Good luck with your channel.
Yes. I need more for my channel.
Very nice review and channel overall! I'm happy that youtube recommend your channel to me!
Thank you so much. We’ll definitely keep the content coming
My ISLANDER 18 should arrive four days later. Im really excited to see it in person and wear it on my wrist. And your review is same as isl-18 - awsome!
My Islander should hopefully arrive today!
Hope you enjoy it! im actually thinking of another one of mark's releases. ill review that as well when i get it.
@@DesignAtelier Cool, Ive got my islander finally and its nice watch indeed, Im really glad to got it. Definetely looking forward to any of your videos.
Is the bracelet shown the one that comes with the watch? Thinking of picking this up...gorgeous piece...
Yes that’s the one that comes with the watch
@@DesignAtelier thank you!
Did the screwdriver come with the watch purchase?
It came with mine. I’m not sure if he sends that out to everyone.
Great review on a cool diver and congrats to a thousand subscribers !
Thanks chris. And I truly love this watch. Just a beauty.
Someone needs to send you a pocket knife sir. You're going to hurt yourself. Great review. I love my Islander ISL-24. Marc is literally killing it out there. He's out-Seiko-ed Seiko.
Hehe. I do need an unboxing knife. I’ll buy one someday.
Rather have a real seiko, not chinese part watch. look shiny though.
@@camarocarl7130 these are better than the 5kx way more solid build
OK, Rather have a real SKX or a Turtle. Enjoy your watch.
@@camarocarl7130 I have an isl-18 and the build quality is more solid. ✌️✨⌚✨
Great review. Great editing and notations and graphics. Very well done.
Great video. Where did you get that "Racing-Coke" insert?
Man that things huge on you! how tiny are your wrists?
Love the opening!
Nicely done review.
Thanks
Thanks a bunch.
Love it besides that thickness
indeed its a bit thick.
I have 2 43mm ISL diver watches already. I'm debating whether to get this or its 38mm brother. I have a 6.25" wrist but I don't mind wearing the 43mm.
BTW nice review. New subs!!!
I’m debating the same thing, I have a 6.25 inch wrist as well. What did you end up deciding?
@@andrewpvs - Since I have 2 of the 43mm ISL watches already, I decided to pick up the 38 mm ISL-63. Love it!!!
Wow! What a brilliant, clear, thorough review! Best I've seen for any product. You have a new follower and fan!
Awesome, thank you!
Really nice. But I can not get to like the logo, with the arrow pointing to the south east.
Very nicely done production quality!
Love the intro! Bravo 👏🏼😃
Wow grear editing and review! Subbed and will get this watch in the future.
Such a good job. Excellent review. Cool watch.
Really enjoy your videography
Well done video. I don’t have the 18 yet but I have a couple other models. Island watch rocks!!
I love this one! I’m soon going to get the bluebird 38 mm watch. Boss!
i really need to get more islander watches. its just so hard to save money when theres so many options.
Do you find the 43mm big on your wrist? I just ordered the 38mm, my wrist is just over 6inches
It will wear big on 6 inch wrist. But it’s all about how you pair your clothes with it and the amount of muscle you have around the elbows.
Very important is also the distance between the lugs. Some watches of this size has a l2l of 50mm or more. But this watch has a short distance of only 46mm which makes the watch fitting good even on small wrists.
I have 6,7 inch wrist and consider 50mm l2l being the upper limit for me, so with just over 6 inches wrist I think this watch will fit good on you. The most important is that the watch is not wider than the wrist.
One of the best reviews overall I've come to watch. May I ask your wrist size? Mine is 8.25" and I wanna make sure it won't be too small. Thanks in advance, Cheers!
I have a 6.25 inch wrist. It should be doable.
I have 8.5in wrist and have the 38mm and the 42mm! The 42 fits best but there's something about the mini size off the 38mm version i like
Nice review and beautiful watch! I wish Marc would make this in a 39-40mm case size.
it's done
yes marc actually made a 39mm version
You have a thin wrist and this watch looks litle big for you.But the watch it selfe is a beautiful piece.Great job
Thanks for watching! I think It still works for me. I would like to have a tad smaller yes.
Great review!
bezel finish pretty rough. Anyway to polish/soften?
A really well done review of an Islander watch. I have not as of yet purchased one of these dive watches as I am flopping between a few of the color options. So many choices. Maybe next time you could use a Katana to open the box 😀.
You know someone brought that up. We’ll see in the future.
Great production quality on this! Subscribed just because of that
Awesome, thank you!
Really well edited and informative video, subscribed for sure
Watch looks huge, what’s your wrist size? Mine is 6.5 inch but I think this would be too big for me.
Great video
Regretting The Islander 18 #microbrand #automaticwatch #seiko
Nice review but your using a Tefal Santoku to open a box!? LOL!! Big fan a LIW. Have few of them. Am awaiting a new ISL-02 but this ISL-18 >really< looks nice!! And fully featured.
Great review, covers all the right points.
Very enjoyable and hoigh quality production values!
I'm getting one
Thanks for your reviews. They are all very informative and indepth. What is your wrist size? Just want to get an idea how these watch will look on my wrist. Thanks.
6.25 inch
Nice watch!
May I ask what is your wrist size? 6 inch. Great video, thanks
6.25 inch.
The logo kills me. It’s a picture of a watch on a watch. I wish it was different. How is the Islander a better value than a SteelDive or a Heimdallr that offers the same features but for less?
why so much hate over a logo? burger king is sandwiched between two buns. ford's logo is ford. apple is what? that's right, an apple. shell is a SHELL. coca cola is coca cola. ups is ups. target is a target. shall i go on? no. what do you expect a watch's logo to be, a picture of a donkey?
@@galacticcaveman4045 maybe I’m just have classier tastes. Name a luxury brand who’s logo is as tacky as any of the brands you mentioned. You are comparing a watch to a fast good joint? Lame. Kind of proves my point... an Islander with that logo is as cool as Burger King. Thanks for that. I’ll get a Steeldive with the same specs but $150 cheaper with a cheesy logo. And Ford doesn’t sell a vehicle the shape of its logo and Apple doesn’t sell apples... think about your argument.
@@wakawaka1976 you've lost the plot. you can call the brand logos i mentioned as tacky, lame, or uncool as you want. yet they don't care about your opinion and are some of the biggest names with logos that almost everybody knows. if you have "classier" tastes, why are you here arguing/complaining about the logo on an entry level diver/tool style watch? think about my argument? maybe you should think about your logic first.
btw, how do you see "a picture of a watch on a watch" ?? it is more like just a bezel with one hand pointing towards 4. now if there were hour markers and another hand i would agree, but as it isn't, it's just a logo. go buy a steeldive, nobody's stopping you.
@@galacticcaveman4045 you’re blind and lost bro. Sorry Mr. Hamburgler. I can not like it and who are you to say anything about it. You got a problem with that then I have a problem with your critique as well. But think about it... if you got a problem with my critique of an entry level diver then why shouldn’t I have a problem with yours? If people can’t like something about what would otherwise be a fine watch... why make a micro brand? Why complain about what’s wrong with an skx? Why make mods? Exactly. 🤦🏻♂️ you’ve proven everything you’ve written as pointless. The whole idea of the Islander is to improve on complaints/issues about the skx.
Why you going to complain about an skx? Oh because there are things that could be improved! Why complain about an Islander? Because there are things that can be improved! The logo, the bracelet, and the price. But long island watch has never been the place to get the best deals. You go there for customer service. But is it worth $150? Which Marks prices typically cost more than the grey market or marketed straight from China.
@@wakawaka1976 this watch addresses a lot of what's wrong with a skx, you can't deny that. better movement, better dials/hand sets, better crystal, better bezel inserts, better bracelet. how are you going to "improve" a logo? or how is it an issue? the logo of a watch isn't going to effect the performance or quality. LOL sure you can improve many things about a watch, but a logo is not one of them. and i'm sure long island watch isn't changing their logo anytime soon.
Is this the #1 Micro Brand?
It’s hard to pin point the number one. It’s one of the best for sure.
Stunning video,thank you👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
Thank you too!
That was a weird ass transition, son. Very nice. 1:10
Hi would you recommend this over seiko srpd63? Your insights are highly appreciated sir. Thanks
I would choose this. Sapphire crystal. Threaded crown. 200m water resist. Better bracelet too. And Marc makes sure the bezel and markers align.
Awesome watch mate. I’m torn between this one and the emerald dial. Maybe I’ll get both.
I’m actually leaning on doing that. They’re affordable enough to get both.
Terry Newton me too.....!
I bought the blue and put it on the J bracelet. Zero regrets!
There's no lume pip?
Not on the models with Yachtmaster style bezels. The others have fully-lumed bezels, in ceramic or sapphire construction.
Not on the Yachtmaster type. There is on others.
@@tn_onyoutube8436 but why not? Isn't the lume pip essential for a diver?
@@VF5 Yachtmaster is not a diver. It’s (guess what?) a Yachting watch - ie for wearing while you are sailing your yacht/boat/schooner/dinghy maybe!
No lume on the Rolex, so no lume on the Islander.
No back play on the bezel????? I love the looks of the watch, but I don't wear mine because the bezel action is so poor :-( I want to buy more of them but not until they fix the bezel, or just address it.
Strange. Mine was pretty spot on. Might be a QC issue.
@@DesignAtelier Thanks for the reply, I even sent mine back and they put a new bezel on....2nd one was worse than the first. Mostly just drags around, doesn't really "click"
Absolutely beautiful watch at a good price. Rolex can keep their watches, I would rather spend my money on something like this.
Very true! This has kept the yachtmaster itch away for a long time!
Share it wit udders,and udders share it wit you😂😂😂😂
I looked twice. I counted twice. And yes.........yes you do indeed still have all your fingers.
yes. no fingers were harmed in the making of this video.
@@DesignAtelier Good to hear. Finger loss is not fun🙂
How big is your wrist? I'm looking at these and worried they might look a little awkward on my wrist.
6.25 inch
Nice producing and watch
Appreciate that
You live on one of the ABC islands, and reviewing an islander. Islandception...
That Indian accent , dang dawg
ok i'm oblivious to that but sure.
Excellent review! 👌🏻
Use a katana for the next unboxing 😁
sadly a katana might just be more expensive than the watch i'm reviewing.
Like viel Uhr für einen guten Preis
Yup it’s nice and affordable.
That beast is way too for your wrist dude! And, I can't see the point in comparing it with a sub or yacht master. It's a different ball game.
is it made in china???
You'll have to ask marc about that.
Own one.... crap”ola period. Bracelet is cheap crap. They have sent a replacement....only to have it not work.... clasp issues... spend your money else where... you’ve been warned.
Yes the bracelet looks like garbage indeed. Similar to entry level seiko and orient ones
it's a direct copy of seiko skx & not an alternative. the whole islander series is garbage.
little too big. lovely watch though.
there's also a 38mm version
Its funny comparing a 300 watch to a 10,000 watch 😂😂😂😂
This intro is a waste of time. Took almost a minute to get to the actual box. You're trying to be cute/interesting but it doesn't work. It just feels like a waste of time.
I agree. That’s why I shortened my intros.
Very ugly watch
Looks ridiculous big on you, and on 99% of people.