Islander ISL-79 - Are These ACTUALLY Any Good? [Should I Time This]

[@jefferywhidby2407]

Marc from Long Island watch isn't your ordinary "store" proprietor. He's a leader in horology education, a true enthusiast, and a great guy. He runs a class operation. Marc saw that other brands, notably Seiko, were making $300+ watches that lacked features he thought we deserved better at similar price points. Sapphire crystals, hacking movements in some cases, and higher quality bracelets. Most of his offerings have those features and solid end link bracelets that are of good quality. Most have a Seiko NH35 or better movement too. I just got a 39mm white dial unbranded type B flieger with 100m screw down crown, AR sapphire crystal and a Seiko NH35 movement from his site on sale for $135. You'll never find more watch for the money.

[@ShouldITimeThis]

Thank you for sharing your opinion. Yes, good value for the money.

[@tommyjuanadiaz7]

Can't find it.

[@muffemod]

I will gladly send my dollars to a watch enthusiast than some fake-flake flipper. Marc is clearly passionate about the hobby. Every hobby has a business side to it. Support those that support you.

[@kylesalisbury6789]

Liked the review overall and your videos in whole. Just want to be a fanboy and defend Long Island Watch brand/logo a little. Marc at Long Island Watch has a great story about a store turning into the ability to start a brand. The work he does to promote watches and education of watches is fantastic. As the brand grows he can phase out some of his inventory of other brands and transition more to his brand. The logo represents far more than just the retail store and if anyone wants to take the time to check out Marc's channel and many videos will not be sorry they invested the time. He's also great to other KZbin watch reviewers and the community. He's one of the good guys. Keep up the good work!

[@ShouldITimeThis]

Thanks Kyle! And I already knew all that (but thank you for filling that in for those who might not know). Before I even had this channel I used to watch his channel from time to time. And I respect that hustle and drive. My point isn't that the stuff isn't "worth it" or that the logo "doesn't mean anything.." Not at all. My point is that in terms of brand PERCEPTION, seeing a retail website's logo on the dial / crown / caseback makes it feel like buying the "store brand," which in general has a negative association for consumers psychologically. I'd make the same case if it were JomaShop or any of the other retailers, regardless of how solid the product is. And I thought my conclusion was fair - I didn't steer anybody away from the watch - I laid out both potential sides of the argument. Again though, thanks for filling that in for the people who might not know about Marc's history.

[@sublyme2157]

I own two Islander watches and agree with everything. The only thing I'd add is that on top of aesthetics and features, you're also buying the seller. Marc's a great guy, and great to deal with. 50 years from now the heritage behind the retail name and logo will likely be the only thing interesting about these watches, and that may command a premium.

[@ShouldITimeThis]

Everybody brings up Mark. I don't get it. I'm familiar with him, seems like a solid guy, but that's not what brings value to a product imo. I'm associated with the cigar industry, and I've met a few brand owners who I'd give my shirt to in the winter if they were cold (great guys), but I don't buy their cigars because they're sub-par. Henry Ford is rumored to have been one of the nastiest people in business back in the day - seems nobody really liked him. Without that man, we literally wouldn't have the modern automobile. I don't care how "great" someone is when it comes to a product. Just my 2 cents.

[@droptuned83]

​@@ShouldITimeThis well thats an opinion, but your wrong on many things in this comment.

[@MrBacchus18]

Very fair review I say, I like the numeric ranking system. With Islander watches the 2 things that stop me are the logo and the fact for a little more money I can get brands with heritage.

[@ShouldITimeThis]

Thanks Mark! Much appreciated. And I agree with you completely. Nice piece, but for not much more I can get something that doesn't have a retail website's logo on it lol

[@eugenedickson2557]

The “Soda can pull tab” second hand is a Seiko Marine Master/Marine Master Reduced second hand. In fact, all of the hands appear to be Seiko Marine Master/Marine Master Reduced hands.

[@ShouldITimeThis]

Still looks terrible.

[@LamarFaciane]

The counter balance of the second hand is known as a "stop light " counter balance. The function of the red dot is to facilitate the design ✌🏽

[@ShouldITimeThis]

Stop light from where? Stop lights here have 3 lights, not 2, and none of our lights are white. Even in terms of proportion this wouldn't make any sense because the white dot is larger there - on "stop lights" here, the lights are all either equally sized or the RED is larger than the other two.

[@LamarFaciane]

@@ShouldITimeThis it's a thing from Seiko divers of old

[@ShouldITimeThis]

@@LamarFaciane I'm not doubting that it has some kind of lineage (and that would make sense being that Mark from LIW is a Seiko fan), I'm just saying that it doesn't resemble a stop light in any way lol

[@DarthPlaya]

@@ShouldITimeThis Just flow with it, I agree it doesn't resemble an "actual" stop light but it's an accepted Seiko nickname. Does a lollypop second hand look like an "actual" lollypop? Does a turtle look like an "actual" turtle? Does a Capt Willard look like Martin Sheen?

[@ElJibaro718]

​@@ShouldITimeThis Old fashioned stoplights only had red and green in the early days. Might wanna do a bit of research three bud.

[@WesWatchRoom]

Well done review mate, I quite like this and you're right you don't often see a dial like this. The shade of green/blue used is very nice as well. Pretty solid imo.

[@ShouldITimeThis]

Thanks! And yeah definitely an attractive color for sure.

[@patrickford5793]

Awesome stuff. Fair review. I wholeheartedly agree with the minute hand.

[@ShouldITimeThis]

Thanks Patrick! And thanks again for the loaner. Much appreciated.

[@rrr2cats]

I'm very happy with mine. Interesting review though.

[@ShouldITimeThis]

Nothing wrong with that. It's a solid watch (as I covered here).

[@jayn8392]

Great review. I have always felt this way about these watches. It's a fairly generic lok king dive style watch with a good spec set for the money. But there are tons of other options out there at the same price point or even less with the same/very similar specs that are much more interesting. Personally I don't love the looks of them so it's a big pass from me. I also think the logo is ugly unfortunately.

[@ShouldITimeThis]

Thanks Jay! And I actually agree..

[@liasummers1824]

What's the point of a bezel with no numbers?

[@ShouldITimeThis]

The numbers aren't as useful as a clear marker, which this one does have. Ordinarily you'd set that marker to where you're timing to (i.e. where the minute hand will be when "time's up" and that's what you're looking for, not the numbers. Otherwise, you'd have to ask Mark from Long Island Watch. I didn't design it lol

[@SilverKeyMan]

I laughed at the part about the watch advertising the retail store.

[@ShouldITimeThis]

It's true though - kind of drives me nuts honestly lol

[@17cmmittlererminenwerfer81]

The brushing is not "uniformed", it is "uniform". It doesn't wear a uniform, it *is* uniform in appearance. It stuns me how the older generations failed to educate the younger, these past three decades.