Micro-brand/homage/clone wrist watches

[KrisZ]

What are your thoughts on these?

I got an itch for a wrist watch recently, but with many of the established watch makers moving the prices up, I started looking at alternates.
I stumbled upon the longisland watch company and they have a list of their own watches as well as other microbrands and the established players.

Their SKX007 clone/homage caught my eye. I have a Seiko 5 automatic and I always like the SKX divers, but I never got a chance to buy one. The used ones are pricey, plus the chances are high you can get a fake.


Decided to get one from them, ISL-02. I'm quite impressed. It's got all the upgrades that the Seiko never had, great fit and finish, great lume. It's a pretty good package IMO.

 

[opus1]

Marc (from longislandwatch.com - IYKYK ) is a class act.

Be sure to check his site for Thanksgiving/Black Friday sales. I don't remember if he starts things at Noon or 1PM EST, but he'll put out some teaser videos early in the week to let you know some of what he plans to sell, and will give details on the start time.

 

[KrisZ]

Marc (from longislandwatch.com - IYKYK ) is a class act.

Be sure to check his site for Thanksgiving/Black Friday sales. I don't remember if he starts things at Noon or 1PM EST, but he'll put out some teaser videos early in the week to let you know some of what he plans to sell, and will give details on the start time.

You’re just gonna get me to spend more money lol.
But thanks for the tip, they do have few more models that I like.

 

[charbaby]

That’s a good looking watch Kris. Great lume!
I believe that Marc can custom make a watch as well.
I haven’t purchased an “Islander” Watch from Marc but I have purchased watches from him at Long Island Watch and view his channel. I am quite fond of Orient.

 

[charbaby]

I love watch talk!

 

[walterjay]

Getting ticked off just looking at the pic

 

[KrisZ]

That’s a good looking watch Kris. Great lume!
I believe that Marc can custom make a watch as well.
I haven’t purchased an “Islander” Watch from Marc but I have purchased watches from him at Long Island Watch and view his channel. I am quite fond of Orient.

Thanks!
I did lots of reading about Islanders and Marc's company and pretty much all people, whether they like his watches or not, agree he's a standup guy and really takes care of his customers. It's a hard feat to achieve IMO for a small business.

It's hard to browse his website because he's got so many great looking watches I want. Like this Second Hour Mandala.

 

[charbaby]

I watch(no pun ) many wristwatch channels & reviewers on YouTube, and Marc is friends with many wristwatch channels and he is often mentioned on other channels. As I mentioned earlier, I've purchased a few from IslandWatch(I still call it, LongIslandWatchCo.) and there are other brands I am considering purchasing. I have my soft spot for certain brands. Mainly because my Dad wore certain brands when I was a kid...especially Longines/Wittnauer, Hamilton, Heuer(per-TAG). Along with many American brand watches that are no longer in business or have been swept up by other companies. Watches are about personal taste. Buy what you like!

My daughter has quite a watch collection among them are Longines & Tag Heuer with tons of "other world market" SEIKO automatics(a.k.a. JDM) that she buys when she is overseas.