Side by side

Islander Islander Saltaire 38mm Solar Dive Watch with Ink Black Dial #ISL-278vsPhoibos Wave Master

The numbers, the dial colors, the calibers — laid out so you can stop flipping between tabs.

Islander Saltaire 38mm Solar Dive Watch with Ink Black Dial #ISL-278
IslanderIslander Saltaire 38mm Solar Dive Watch with Ink Black Dial #ISL-278
MSRP $395
Wave Master
PhoibosWave Master
MSRP $309

At a glance

16 of 29 specs differ
Diameter
Islander Saltaire 38mm Solar Dive Watch with Ink Black Dial #ISL-27838mm
Wave Master42mm
Power Reserve
Islander Saltaire 38mm Solar Dive Watch with Ink Black Dial #ISL-278
Wave Master40h
Water Resistance
Islander Saltaire 38mm Solar Dive Watch with Ink Black Dial #ISL-278200m
Wave Master300m
MSRP
Islander Saltaire 38mm Solar Dive Watch with Ink Black Dial #ISL-278$395
Wave Master$309

Full specifications

Case

6 specs
Diameter
38mm
42mm
Thickness
12.5mm
14mm
Lug-to-Lug
0mm
48.5mm
Lug Width
20mm
22mm
Finish
Brushed and polished
Water Resistance
200m
300m

Crystal & Dial

4 specs
AR Coating
Underside
Yes
Dial Color
Black
Indices
Applied
Lume
None
Super-LumiNova

Movement

5 specs
Caliber
Miyota 2070
SII NH35A
Type
Quartz
Automatic
Beat Rate
0 vph
28,800 vph
Power Reserve
0h
40h
Jewels
0
25

Pricing

1 specs
MSRP
$395
$309

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What people say

Owners + reviewers, side by side

Synthesized for each watch independently from owner discussions, enthusiast forums, written reviews, and video reviewers.

Islander Saltaire 38mm Solar Dive Watch with Ink Black Dial #ISL-278

The Islander Saltaire 38mm Solar Dive Watch with Ink Black Dial #ISL-278 is lauded for its appealing color and 38mm size, with owners calling it a keeper. Reviewers and owners alike praise its impressive specifications for the price and good finishing. However, some owners express a desire for a date complication, and one owner found the 38mm size too small, despite preferring smaller watches. The bezel is noted to be mineral crystal, not sapphire. Overall, owners rate the Islander Saltaire 38mm Solar Dive Watch with Ink Black Dial #ISL-278 highly for its value and wearability, with the primary praise centering on its color and compact dimensions.

Phoibos Wave Master

Owners widely praise the Phoibos Wave Master for its attractive wavy dial, bright lume, and comfortable engineer bracelet, with many considering it one of the best-looking watches under $300. The watch features a sapphire crystal and ceramic bezel, and owners report good quality for the price, with a subtle wave pattern on the dial appreciated for its unique style. While some minor finishing flaws like slightly crooked hour markers or an off-center outer ring have been noted, these are generally considered not visible during wear. One owner experienced a clasp breakage after four years, but Phoibos replaced it free of charge. Some owners wish the watch were larger than 40mm, and one notes the GMT hand and other details may not hold up under extreme close-ups. Overall, owners rate the Phoibos Wave Master highly for its distinctive dial and value, especially considering its build quality and features.

From video reviewers

The unidirectional ceramic bezel action is praised. The lume brightness is noted as a weakness. Reviewers disagree on the water resistance rating, with some stating 300M and others 200M.

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