Side by side

Islander Islander Saltaire 38mm Solar Dive Watch with Ink Black Dial #ISL-278vsGrand Seiko SBGW281

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
SBGW281
Grand SeikoSBGW281
MSRP $4,900

At a glance

16 of 29 specs differ
Diameter
Islander Saltaire 38mm Solar Dive Watch with Ink Black Dial #ISL-27838mm
SBGW28137.3mm
Power Reserve
Islander Saltaire 38mm Solar Dive Watch with Ink Black Dial #ISL-278
SBGW28172h
Water Resistance
Islander Saltaire 38mm Solar Dive Watch with Ink Black Dial #ISL-278200m
SBGW28130m
MSRP
Islander Saltaire 38mm Solar Dive Watch with Ink Black Dial #ISL-278$395
SBGW281$4,900

Full specifications

Case

7 specs
Category
Diver
Dress
Diameter
38mm
37.3mm
Thickness
12.5mm
11.7mm
Lug-to-Lug
0mm
44.3mm
Lug Width
20mm
19mm
Finish
Brushed and polished
Water Resistance
200m
30m

Crystal & Dial

3 specs
AR Coating
Underside
Yes
Dial Color
Black
Indices
Applied

Movement

5 specs
Caliber
Miyota 2070
9S64
Type
Quartz
Manual
Beat Rate
0 vph
28,800 vph
Power Reserve
0h
72h
Jewels
0
25

Pricing

1 specs
MSRP
$395
$4,900

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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 SBGW281

Grand Seiko SBGW281 owners and reviewers alike praise its classic 37mm size and timeless, no-bezel design, with enthusiasts calling these manual-wind models "perfect Grand Seikos" for their thin profile, accessible price, and dial symmetry. The champagne dial is noted for its evocative, melting snow aesthetic, complemented by a gold seconds hand and a box crystal. The winding action is described as exceptionally smooth with satisfying clicky feedback, and the lug-to-lug measurement is approximately 45mm. This timepiece is splash resistant and retails for US$4,800. On balance, enthusiasts and reviewers highly regard the Grand Seiko SBGW281 for its elegant proportions and refined dial presentation.

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