Pilot watches have clear roots. A large dial, easily readable numerals, contrasting hands, no unnecessary elements. Everything is subservient to readability at a glance. The Islander ISL-17 respects this code and adds material craftsmanship that surprises in its price category.
The blue dial features Type B, a 60-minute scale with Arabic numerals around the perimeter, a triangle with dots at 12 o'clock instead of a numeral, and no logo. The unmarked dial is a direct reference to military watches from the WWII era, where the manufacturer was deliberately absent from the dials. The sword-shaped hands and indices are treated with Super-LumiNova C3.
Inside the steel case (42mm, 12mm thick, 48mm lug-to-lug) is a Seiko NH38 automatic movement, without a date, with manual winding support, hacking, and a power reserve of approximately 41 hours. The screwed-down case back features an engraved outline of an F-14 Tomcat fighter jet – a reference to the Grumman fighters produced on Long Island.
A sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating, a screw-down crown, and 100m water resistance are just the icing on the cake. The overall look is completed by a brown leather strap with matching stitching and a signed Islander buckle.
