Orange Islander Monster vs. Seiko Monster - I Never Knew This!

[@AvgJoeWatchReviews]

➡️ DIY watch kit- shop.diywatch.club/?ref=avgjoewatchreviews& - use coupon code: Avgjoewatchreviews at checkout for 5% off New Sales Every 72 Hours at Jomashop.com- www.dpbolvw.net/click-100755909-10722196/AvgJoeWatchReviews/Jomashop New Sales Every 72 Hours Pre-Owned Watches at Jomashop.com - www.kqzyfj.com/click-100755909-13492497/AvgJoeWatchReviews/JomaShop Pre-Owned Watches Trade-in Your Watch! - www.tkqlhce.com/click-100755909-12884306/AvgJoeWatchReviews/ Trade-in Your Watch/ JomaShop Casio at Jomashop.com- www.anrdoezrs.net/click-100755909-13492493/ AvgJoeWatchReviews/Casio/ Jomashop Hodinkee $150 off all pre-owned watches!- www.anrdoezrs.net/click-100755909-15448594 / AvgJoeWatchReviews / Hodinkee -$150off Hodinkee Classic Dive Watches- www.kqzyfj.com/click-100755909-15303916/AvgJoeWatchReviews / Hodinkee-Dive Watches Hodinkee Latest Arrivals- www.jdoqocy.com/click-100755909-15303803/AvgJoeWatchReviews/Hodinkee Latest Arrivals To purchase any watches or tools featured on the channel, click here - www.amazon.com/shop/avg.joewatchreviews?ref=inf_own_avg. ***Disclaimer: All links provided above are affiliate links. Any purchases made with these links will yield a small commission to the channel BUT products cost the same as if you purchased directly through the website. Commission from affiliate links assists in funding the channel.**** To contact me: [e-mail] PLEASE SUBSCRIBE AND SMASH THAT NOTIFICATION BELL Visit me, Avg. Joe, on IG at- AvgJoeWatchReviews

[@THEMADWATCHCOLLECTOR]

Great stuff my friend! I’ll be doing a similar show with an Islander I just received! You went into great detail here well done!

[@AvgJoeWatchReviews]

Thanks so much buddy! Look forward to your rendition.

[@TheRealBruceLee]

Thought you didn’t like clomages?

[@felo6035]

Hello Joe, excellent comparison, and awesome explanation about the huge differences between Divers 200m vs Water Resistance 200m. This is huge, and along with brand history, heritage, and resale value Seiko is the superior watch. That said, Marc's is an excellent homage which will handle the needs of most while saving considerable money. Now, if we consider homages, I think we can also take a look at Seestern and Heimdallr.... both offer great specs inc Seiko movements, sapphire crystals, screw down crowns and case backs, 120 click unidirectional rotating bezles with very good action, etc, etc..... Thank you again my friend for this terrific episode. All the best.

[@AvgJoeWatchReviews]

Appreciate your feedback my friend. Which homage would you choose out of the bunch of you were shipping Monsters?

[@NICKVST]

I like the overall look of the original monster you just can’t replicate it

[@davewilson6548]

I have Seiko Monster but have an Islander white monster and wear it all the time. I got it of of eBay for $150. It seem to be high quality and i don't worry about punishing it. Keeps great time and so far so good. For the piece, how can I complain. It will never be a collectors watch.

[@TheTownWatch]

I didn’t know that stuff about the “diver’s” indication on the dial! Thanks for the education on the fly! I agree with your closing thoughts about both watches and how someone would probably choose the Islander if they aren’t really concerned about collectibility and such.

[@AvgJoeWatchReviews]

Thanks buddy. Glad you learned something new. Appreciate the feedback and support.

[@MrBacchus18]

That’s why I hate when an aliexpress cheapie watch Willy nilly puts divers on the dial.

[@brotendo]

Sapphire crystal and hacking makes Mark's watch so much better. I've owned it for about 8 months now.

[@chasekemp4982]

Also the black outline around the hour markers for visibility.

[@CocoKoi321]

Meanwhile asking seiko for that constantly is what made them shoot their prices higher

[@lx95020]

Great review! I agree, if you are going to collect and resell then go with the Seiko. If you are like most of us that will never go diving and want a good quality watch with some upgrades and you don't plan to sell it, go with the LIW.

[@AvgJoeWatchReviews]

Thank you sir! Please subscribe. 😉👍

[@MrBacchus18]

It’s impressive how many Seiko watches carry the Divers 200 moniker. That’s a lot of pressure testing.

[@christopherjohnson4276]

Oooooh thanks for this close up look and comparison. Marc doing the typical really good job on the homage. Good stuff! See you next time Joe! 😃 ⌚

[@Bigbeardfpv]

It just depends... will you really be satisfied buying the alternative. I'd say for most people, you'll be happier, even if you have to save up longer, to just get the watch you want, and you'll never find yourself wanting to buy the real thing later....

[@MirrlyonTime]

Found it interesting that you would trust the Islander at depth over the Seiko. Given the age as long as the caseback hasn’t been removed on the Seiko I would def trust it more than I would a potentially untested Islander.

[@AvgJoeWatchReviews]

The Seiko is close to two decades old and we cannot assume service of the watch. Gaskets and seals on the best of divers are all made of materials that are compromised with age. The Islander is brand new with new seals and gaskets so yes, all day, every day that Islander is going in the water and the Seiko is sitting on the sidelines.

[@Dave062YT]

Islander all day long .The actual dial colour is even better .and of course it has a better Seiko movement than the Seiko

[@AvgJoeWatchReviews]

That’s a good point. Ironically the Islander uses a better Seiko movement than Seiko but that’s because Marc had an opportunity to take a look at the shortcomings and improve on them years later.

[@a7128]

is the islander dial just printed?

[@AeternumAngel]

The Seiko is a real tool watch, the other it's just a cosplay of one.

[@mattys1467]

Great comparison, enjoyed the ISO certification explanation and the macros were excellent 👍

[@dalerichardson8842]

Be interested to know how much of the extra weight on the islander was down to bracelet and the better clasp on it Joe? Both lovely watches.

[@woonfaseng8737]

i think while islander monster is based on GEN 1 seiko , the inside and movement is based on GENERATION 2. plus mark typically will add sapphire. so this should be better compared to GEN 2 Monster in specs wise , just not in dial

[@claudej.l.5360]

Thanks for the Great video Joe. I'd take the Islander. Much better specs. Just the bracelet alone makes it worth it.

[@AvgJoeWatchReviews]

Thanks for watching buddy. Would you go with the Orange?

[@somewhereintimewatchreviews]

Very cool video some very interesting & useful info about the water resistance testing 👍

[@DavidSchwartzjr]

I'm a few minutes in, but I'm gonna already say that the Islander is so much nicer! Sapphire, more crisp indices and legibility. But I'll stick around to the end and make a final judgement ha! 😎🍻👍

[@AvgJoeWatchReviews]

So what are your final thoughts? Which would you take diving and feel confident that water wouldn’t intrude the case and why?

[@DavidSchwartzjr]

@@AvgJoeWatchReviews Hey man, I ended up getting sidetracked with some grocery shopping ha. So for me personally, I don't dive or go into super deep waters so even if the islander only had 100M WR, that suits me fine for my needs. The benefits far outweigh the possible lack of 200M WR pressure rating. But that's just imo! 👍

[@AvgJoeWatchReviews]

@@DavidSchwartzjr that’s awesome feedback. Desk diving doesn’t need a divers depth rating indeed. 😉👍Thanks for watching.

[@DavidSchwartzjr]

@@AvgJoeWatchReviews You know me, I'm not a purist...all the time...but I do want at least 100M WR almost every time ha!

[@1968jpy]

Excellent review and comparison on these two watches. I recently purchased the 2021 penguin feet Monster and the new 2022 Save the Ocean Antarctica Monster. I am extremely impressed with both of my new Seiko Monsters. I am tempted to purchase one of Marks Islander Monsters.

[@AvgJoeWatchReviews]

Thanks Joseph. Let me which one you went with.

[@kenspear5077]

Great comparison video AJ.👊

[@AvgJoeWatchReviews]

Thanks bud.

[@RJ-cq8dd]

Pressure tested isn't really a big deal imo. It only means something the first year. After a year you have to pressure test it again. Glad i'm not a purist...got the Heimdallr frost monster and am very happy with it, beats the Seiko on specs.

[@AvgJoeWatchReviews]

I agree with on the pressure test as the seals and gaskets start to get compromised after a year or so. I have a few dedicated watches I swim with for that reason.

[@TimeToGoTravelAndTimepieces]

Nice side by side Joe. Thanks.

[@AvgJoeWatchReviews]

Thanks Bob.

[@halfpastblog]

If I ever got the chance to get one of these discontinued Seiko monsters for a good price I'd snap it up.

[@whiteglovewatches9908]

I have the islander monster and I have to say it’s nice but the bezel action was so bad I had to send the first one back. The second is marginally better but still skips clicks and feels almost broken, won’t stay in place. The Heimdallr homage I have is way better. Sorry Mark, I’m a fan but that one was a big no bueno for me.

[@AvgJoeWatchReviews]

Wasn’t a huge fan of his bezel considering it felt like the vintage Monster’s. Thanks for watching! What did you think of the macros? Would you like to see them again?

[@whiteglovewatches9908]

@@AvgJoeWatchReviews yes please, always a fan of the macro shots.

[@davidcrandall4958]

I have a Timex ocean reef 200 meters screw down crown I bought at a flea market for eight dollars that is similar to these!

[@AvgJoeWatchReviews]

That’s an amazing deal! Great find.

[@EVil-ob8in]

Islander, Seestern, Haemdallr, take your pick. Other than the branding they are the same thing.

[@JohanDee]

I own a Seestern Doxhom and 2 Heimdallr tuna hommages. Had the Seiko baby tuna and I can say all watches, they are very well made, a copy or not. The tuna's: one is bronze, one is titanium.

[@EVil-ob8in]

@@JohanDeeyeh, I have a gen.2 Seiko orange monster and the Seestern version of the same watch. The dial on the Seiko is brighter and seems to pop more than the Seestern. On its own the Seestern is not bad at all. Maybe someone can answer what movement is in the Seestern as it’s not the 4R36. I merely have to pick the Seiko up and it starts ticking. The Seestern needs a wind or a good shake.

[@jodysilvia2]

Marc is killing it in the watch community.

[@AvgJoeWatchReviews]

One of the few good guys in the community.

[@metallicarchaea1820]

The Heimdallr Orange Monster is the best one. Simple.

[@TheBimmer74]

Had one and returned it. The bezel is as sharp as a razor. It actually lost blood!

[@cussy66]

​Got one also and yes bezel edges are sharp, but i just buffed them down. And now silky smooth. Hiamdallr is the better watch. Its a watch even when your not wearing it you pick it up just to look at it. 😊

[@butnugit]

IIRC, in a video from a few years ago, when he was first launching the Islander line, Marc did state that each of his cases are individually tested to 200m. Now, if it was just for that model he was doing the video on or if it's for all his dive style watches, I don't know. Might be a great question for you to ask him.

[@AvgJoeWatchReviews]

I certainly will! Thank you buddy. Wouldn’t even have thought to since he doesn’t have the Diver’s label on his dial.

[@butnugit]

@@AvgJoeWatchReviews the ISO certification is much more than just the pressure test, and I believe that was the point Marc was trying to make. To keep the costs down, he wasn't going to pay for the expensive ISO certification, but he did at least test the cases individually to 200m. If that's true, I'm curious to know if he still does it, owning two Islanders myself, and I'm sure more will find their way into my watch box.

[@nikita.yazhechkin]

Are the edges on islander also sharp? Like they are on heimdaller and seestern? Its not comfortable to rotate the besel because the finishing not good.

[@AvgJoeWatchReviews]

Great question. The only place that I found “sharp” was the crown guard on the islander. I found my finger catching it while winding or setting the time. Otherwise, the watch is just as refined as the Seiko and in other ways it’s more refined.

[@nikita.yazhechkin]

@@AvgJoeWatchReviews hmmm, interesting. Because in heimdaller or seestern monster homages it's like you're rotating besel around blades.

[@AvgJoeWatchReviews]

@@nikita.yazhechkin definitely not with the Islander.

[@MrBacchus18]

Islanders wins this but Seiko gen 2 monster is where it’s at

[@AvgJoeWatchReviews]

No argument here. What color would you choose?

[@MrBacchus18]

@@AvgJoeWatchReviews The gen 2 orange monster was my first automatic watch back in 2014. $200 on bracelet

[@kirkthebeerslinger]

​@@MrBacchus18 Orange Gen 2 here also...IMHO, the best version of the Monster gens and colours...👍

[@thewatchloungechris]

I thought about getting one of these

[@kirkthebeerslinger]

Thank you for this review. Surprised you didn't mention the diver's expansion on the Seiko...I do like the screw in links on the Islander...Win on the better mov't and crystal as well, on the Islander... definitely worth getting if you want a brand new Orange Monster without the collector price increase on the original...Gotta say at the end of the day the original is the one to have because if it wasn't for it-the homage wouldn't exist right? Cheers!

[@canadianwatchmonkey3992]

Finally picked up a Seiko Monster and I gotta say it is probably the best $300 Canadian I have spent on a watch. 😊

[@DerekMcCoyMusic]

I adore my Islanders. I have an orange 38mm (Skx013 type) and the blue field watch. My first two autos actually. Definitely won’t be my last. Excellent video. Digging the macro stuff.

[@JohanDee]

There are TONS of Monster hommages from Heimdallr, Steeldive, Pagani design, Tandorio, etc, etc. for really low prices with sapphire crystal, Seiko movement and pretty good case and bracelet. So, what are we talking about? BTW I own 2 old but modded Seiko Monsters, don't like those old non windable movements.

[@murdergorilla4087]

island watches pressure tests every watch according to the company making em.

[@MirrlyonTime]

Great video, and great use of macro in the video m8 that was awesome!. Both islanders I have would get a low rate on bezel action. Both very slippy/skippy clicks almost indistinguishable unless you rotate quite slowly, no back play at all mine you but not tight enough of a bezel imo, esp if it’s going to be used for scuba diving. Great watches Marc makes imo, but I wonder how comparable the heimdallr version is to his, which is 100 plus cheaper. Very happy wirh Marc’s watches though

[@AvgJoeWatchReviews]

Thanks for watching bud. Let me ask you, what would make you choose the vintage Seiko over the Islander if you were to dive? Just curious and wanted to get your thoughts.

[@MirrlyonTime]

@@AvgJoeWatchReviews the fact that it is certified though I didn’t realize it was nearly 20 Years old, so yeah def the Islander than.

[@AvgJoeWatchReviews]

@@MirrlyonTime absolutely! If the Seiko was new or even newer with a few years, I’d choose the Seiko all day my friend.

[@whiteglovewatches9908]

I have to say I own both and the Heimdallr wins hands down and is as you said much less expensive. The only issue I have with the Heimdallr is some bits are sharp sharp while turning the bezel and can pinch if you’re not careful but I find the same issue on the Islander just not quite as much. The bezel action is much mo betta on the Heimdallr, very crisp and positive vs. skippy and loose on the Islander.

[@MirrlyonTime]

@@whiteglovewatches9908 interesting wgw thanks for that, saves me some money getting the heimdallr for comparison haha

[@clontstable1]

Except for the branding, the Islander is an Orange Monster with hacking & hand winding.

[@ACoustaDC]

Why seiko stopped making the monster is the worlds biggest mystery.

[@curious5557]

Just curious why all watch KZbinrs give Mark a pass for simply copying other famous watch brands? Any thoughts on this question?

[@violinmke]

He does them better than the originals with personal touches and great lume. They are usually much cheaper than the Seikos etc. He responds to the market of what people told him they want and delivers. His after market service is stellar and ships from America . He admits first he headed after low hanging fruit. He has started some original designs. I made a field watch purchase from him which was hundreds of dollars cheaper than a Khaki King.

[@markbauer827]

Yeah, I don't get it either. People will scream all day about fake Rolex, but not about Mark's counterfeits. Maybe because they use the same movements as Seiko in many cases. But I still think if you want a Seiko you should buy a Seiko.

[@petergplus6667]

Btw the water resist test isn't really worth anything when you got to open it up to dial it's speed in ;) These crappy 7s movements are a lottery.

[@juniorjohnson5961]

I'd feal better wearing the Seiko even though marks watch has better spects.

[@bernardbarroga1497]

Let’s get real here, who in their right mind, will use these watches for “real deep sea diving”??! These watches are good for snorkeling and in the most likely scenario, a desk divers.😅😂

[@AvgJoeWatchReviews]

100% ! Maybe 1% would use these for deep sea diving…maybe. 😂 👍

[@gregalonzo747]

I don't dive. I do snorkel and sail. I would go with the Islander.

[@AvgJoeWatchReviews]

Well, there you go. Desk diving doesn’t need a water resistance really. 😉👍

[@matthewgates4130]

How many peeps watching this video have gone 600ft underwater? 🤣

[@AvgJoeWatchReviews]

Not me! 😂

[@richardlocke7264]

more of a copy than a homage (inspired by)

[@petergplus6667]

6:15 you can even in daylight see that the Seiko has a stronger lume.

[@ivanmejia6843]

SKX781 all the way. No sapphire and 7s26 calibre, sure. But, it's the OG and the classic. Not a fake...sorry homage. Having an original design is what tops it at the end of the day.

[@Ktc99999-b]

how can you compare a copycat to the original? Pointless.