Islander Islander Saltaire 38mm Solar Dive Watch with Ink Black Dial #ISL-278vsKUOE ROYAL SMITH 90-006
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At a glance
18 of 29 specs differFull specifications
Case
7 specsCrystal & Dial
5 specsMovement
5 specsPricing
1 specsFollow this matchup
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Owners + reviewers, side by side
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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.
Owners widely praise the KUOE ROYAL SMITH 90-006 for its visual appeal and sapphire crystal with AR coating. The watch functions correctly and keeps time at approximately +5 seconds per day on the wrist, powered by a Miyota 9039 movement. On balance, owners value the watch's aesthetics and specifications, though some question its overall value proposition.
The watch's unique blend of modern and retro elements is a notable strength, with a textured ivory waffle dial and Breguet numerals giving it the look of a vintage watch from the 1950s and 1960s. A potential drawback is the ~$770 USD price point, which is significant for a microbrand. Reviewers disagree on the movement's accuracy, with one reviewer noting it is noisy and another describing it as a "Japanese-manufactured high beat premium automatic movement".
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