Side by side

Islander Islander Saltaire 38mm Solar Dive Watch with Ink Black Dial #ISL-278vsFormex Reef 39.5 mm

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
Reef 39.5 mm
FormexReef 39.5 mm
MSRP $2,230

At a glance

16 of 29 specs differ
Diameter
Islander Saltaire 38mm Solar Dive Watch with Ink Black Dial #ISL-27838mm
Reef 39.5 mm39.5mm
Power Reserve
Islander Saltaire 38mm Solar Dive Watch with Ink Black Dial #ISL-278
Reef 39.5 mm56h
Water Resistance
Islander Saltaire 38mm Solar Dive Watch with Ink Black Dial #ISL-278200m
Reef 39.5 mm300m
MSRP
Islander Saltaire 38mm Solar Dive Watch with Ink Black Dial #ISL-278$395
Reef 39.5 mm$2,230

Full specifications

Case

6 specs
Diameter
38mm
39.5mm
Thickness
12.5mm
11mm
Lug-to-Lug
0mm
45.5mm
Lug Width
20mm
22mm
Finish
Brushed and polished
Water Resistance
200m
300m

Crystal & Dial

4 specs
AR Coating
Underside
Inner
Dial Color
Bahama Blue
Indices
Applied
Lume
None
Super-LumiNova

Movement

5 specs
Caliber
Miyota 2070
Sellita SW300-1
Type
Quartz
Automatic
Beat Rate
0 vph
28,800 vph
Power Reserve
0h
56h
Jewels
0
25

Pricing

1 specs
MSRP
$395
$2,230

Follow this matchup

Get a note when Islander Saltaire 38mm Solar Dive Watch with Ink Black Dial #ISL-278 vs Formex Reef 39.5 mm gets more votes, a community discussion, or a price drop. No account needed.

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.

Formex Reef 39.5 mm

The Formex Reef 39.5 mm is widely praised for its refined finishing, comfortable and well-proportioned case design, and impressive specifications for its price point, including COSC-certified Sellita SW300-1 movement and 300m water resistance. Owners and reviewers highlight the tool-less micro-adjust clasp and quick-release spring bars as practical features. Some reviewers note that the 22mm lug width feels slightly disproportionate to the smaller case, and the bracelet could benefit from more taper, though this is a point of contention for some owners who value the overall package. A prototype crown protrusion issue is noted as being addressed for production. On balance, owners and reviewers rate the Formex Reef 39.5 mm highly for its excellent value and well-executed design.

Keep exploring

More watches worth a look

Matched to the watches above on size, movement, style and price — microbrands first. Open any one to dig in.

Adjacent matchups

People also compared

Comparisons nearby in the catalog — alternatives to the watches above paired against the matchup.