Side by side

Islander Islander Saltaire 38mm Solar Dive Watch with Ink Black Dial #ISL-278vsSeiko 5 Sports SNXS series

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

The bottom line

Movement is the cleanest split: the Islander Saltaire 38mm Solar Dive Watch with Ink Black Dial #ISL-278 runs a quartz caliber (Miyota 2070), the 5 Sports SNXS series a automatic (4R36).

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.

Seiko 5 Sports SNXS series

Owners widely praise the Seiko 5 Sports SNXS series for its attractive sunburst dials, vintage aesthetic, and excellent value, with many highlighting its comfortable wearability. Reviewers and owners consistently flag the stock bracelet as a significant weakness, often described as jangly, hair-pulling, and difficult to adjust, with a flimsy clasp. The Hardlex crystal is noted as being prone to scratching, and the caseback is described as thick, contributing to a bulky appearance. Accuracy with the movement is reported to be variable, ranging from +/- 1-2 seconds per day to +/- 20 seconds or more, and the movement itself lacks hacking and hand-winding. On balance, owners and reviewers rate the Seiko 5 Sports SNXS series highly for its stunning dials and value, despite significant criticisms of its bracelet and movement limitations.

Where to get them

Check prices & track

Islander Saltaire 38mm Solar Dive Watch with Ink Black Dial #ISL-278
Islander Saltaire 38mm Solar Dive Watch with Ink Black Dial #ISL-278
MSRP $395
Seiko 5 Sports SNXS series
Seiko 5 Sports SNXS series
MSRP $415
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
5 Sports SNXS series
Seiko5 Sports SNXS series
MSRP $415

At a glance

18 of 29 specs differ
Diameter
Islander Saltaire 38mm Solar Dive Watch with Ink Black Dial #ISL-27838mm
5 Sports SNXS series37.4mm
Power Reserve
Islander Saltaire 38mm Solar Dive Watch with Ink Black Dial #ISL-278
5 Sports SNXS series41h
Water Resistance
Islander Saltaire 38mm Solar Dive Watch with Ink Black Dial #ISL-278200m
5 Sports SNXS series100m
MSRP
Islander Saltaire 38mm Solar Dive Watch with Ink Black Dial #ISL-278$395
5 Sports SNXS series$415

Full specifications

Case

6 specs
Category
Diver
Sport
Diameter
38mm
37.4mm
Lug-to-Lug
0mm
44.7mm
Lug Width
20mm
18mm
Finish
Brushed and polished
Water Resistance
200m
100m

Crystal & Dial

6 specs
Crystal
Sapphire
Hardlex
Crystal Shape
Flat
Curved
AR Coating
Underside
Inner
Dial Color
Black
Indices
Applied
Lume
None
LumiBrite on hands and index(es)

Movement

5 specs
Caliber
Miyota 2070
4R36
Type
Quartz
Automatic
Beat Rate
0 vph
28,800 vph
Power Reserve
0h
41h
Jewels
0
24

Pricing

1 specs
MSRP
$395
$415

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