Side by side

Islander Islander Saltaire 38mm Solar Dive Watch with Ink Black Dial #ISL-278vsGrand Seiko SBGA211

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
SBGA211
Grand SeikoSBGA211
MSRP $6,900

At a glance

15 of 29 specs differ
Diameter
Islander Saltaire 38mm Solar Dive Watch with Ink Black Dial #ISL-27838mm
SBGA21141mm
Power Reserve
Islander Saltaire 38mm Solar Dive Watch with Ink Black Dial #ISL-278
SBGA21172h
Water Resistance
Islander Saltaire 38mm Solar Dive Watch with Ink Black Dial #ISL-278200m
SBGA211100m
MSRP
Islander Saltaire 38mm Solar Dive Watch with Ink Black Dial #ISL-278$395
SBGA211$6,900

Full specifications

Case

6 specs
Category
Diver
Dress
Diameter
38mm
41mm
Lug-to-Lug
0mm
49mm
Material
Stainless Steel
Titanium
Finish
Brushed and polished
Water Resistance
200m
100m

Crystal & Dial

3 specs
AR Coating
Underside
Yes
Dial Color
Black
Indices
Applied

Movement

5 specs
Caliber
Miyota 2070
9R65
Type
Quartz
Spring Drive
Beat Rate
0 vph
28,800 vph
Power Reserve
0h
72h
Jewels
0
25

Pricing

1 specs
MSRP
$395
$6,900

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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.

Grand Seiko SBGA211

Grand Seiko SBGA211 owners and reviewers widely praise its exceptional finishing, particularly the Zaratsu polishing, and its mesmerizing, textured dial. The Spring Drive movement is consistently highlighted as a technical masterpiece, offering quartz-like accuracy of +/- 1 second per day and a smooth seconds sweep. Its lightweight titanium construction and 41mm case size contribute to a comfortable and wearable design. However, some owners find the dial texture less captivating in person than in photos, and there are mixed opinions on the bracelet's adjustment system and perceived quality relative to the price. Some also note its thickness and lack of lume. Overall, owners and reviewers rate the Grand Seiko SBGA211 highly for its unique dial and superb finishing, making it a highly regarded icon.

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