Just starting out? Consider these 5 dive watches under $400
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- Опубліковано 5 сер 2024
- Trying to navigate the mass assortment of watches out there? Today I will try to show you the way! I'm going to discuss 5 different divers, all under $400, and make excellent first-time purchases (or even follow-on for the seasoned collector).
To see the watches featured here:
Phoibos: longislandwatch.com/phoibos-w...
Islander: longislandwatch.com/islander-...
Spinnaker: longislandwatch.com/spinnaker...
Orient: longislandwatch.com/shop/?sea...
Seiko: longislandwatch.com/shop/?sea...
Let us know what you think in the comments below!
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Thank you for watching! - Навчання та стиль
The Red Kamasu is too gorgeous to not get! I just ordered one, can’t wait to wear it!
Superb selection!!! Can’t go wrong with these!
Agreed!
Congrats on the rangemaster selling out in hours. I can't wait to get mine. All your Islanders are awesome but the colab is just a great way to celebrate the best watch show on the internet.
My Wife loves her purple Spinnaker.
Great advice for someone starting out and wondering what to get! If you swap the Bayport for a Northport, I have three of the five watches shown here - a red dial Orient Kamasu, same as the video, the Islander Northport I mentioned in purple (beautiful ripple effect dial), and a Seiko Turtle, mine being a limited edition Eucalyptus green. Excellent watches for a starter or seasoned collecter alike.
Have really been enjoying your videos. Thanks for making the effort. Loving my Seiko PADI I purchased from your store.
Hey Marc, great video and not just because it's basically a run-down of the dive watches on my wish/waiting list! I love my Phoibos Voyager but would love it even more with a standard dive bezel graduated in minutes instead of the stock dual time. I realize it's a rather obscure brand to source or reproduce aftermarket parts for, but I just thought I'd try to plant that seed as something that might be possible for Long Island Watch in the future. Thanks for all your awesome & helpful videos!
You learn something new every day, I didn't know AR worked better on flat crystals over domed ones. Great video, I think advice on where to start getting into something is often overlooked in favour of reviews of expensive kit I'm likely to never see in person.
I have the Phoibos Ocean Master, Spinnaker Cahill (Forest Green/Gold), Orient Triton/Neptune (Black/Gold - Made in Japan). Micro-brand watches are going to be made in Southeast Asia (nothing wrong with that!) but for "Heritage" brands like Seiko/Orient - if it doesn't say "Made in Japan" on the caseback - it's not for me.
Great video for those of us who are new to wristwatches. People should know that Marc has always responded to my questions rather quickly through email. Thanks Marc.
Glad to help!
really good video and daggum that Islander looks great and holds its own against all those others
Great video! I have two SKXs, an original Monster, and first gen Mako. I've been wondering for a while if I should upgrade or add to them from the newer generation watches.
I really like the Islander pieces. Your years in the industry really show you know what sells. Each Islander is cool and I keep wanting to own most models you release :) this diver now is amazing. I would call it a great budget alternative to the Hulk
My Orient Mako II literally gains and loses 0 seconds a day it’s like a quartz it’s unbelievable.
Amazing!
*That is! You have a magic wrist.*
@@joeskeptical4762 I think I got lucky obviously it loses and gains time like any automatic but when I take it off after 24 hours it’s right where it was when I set it I dont wear it every single day though but when I do it never disappoints.
No shit?when did u get your Orient mako 2?..thats insane accuracy in a entry level diver
Nice, try not to bump into anything.
The Kamasu is such a useful piece. Had it for over a year, the bezel, day/date and lume are so helpful.
Green teal Kamasu. Been wearing one every day for a month. About +5 per day, some days +2. Pretty good.
Was thinking of buying the blue, but I've made the right choice. Indoors looks like a very dark green sometimes actually black. Once i glance at it outdoors the green pops up. It's such a very particular colour.
Nice overview Marc. All great watches for anyone's collection.
Great video as always. Really likimg that red orient!
Love my Phoibos Eagle Ray in bronze. It has sapphire crystal, 500 meter rating, 2 leather and 1 rubber tropic style straps and a Sellita S200-1 movement at the bargin price of $420.00 about 3 or 4 years ago from Long Island Watch. You can't beat that deal!
I love affordable yet very well made, attractive pieces! Each one of these are on the sweet spot! I’m actually waiting for the delivery of the Phoibos wavemaster abalone dial I purchased from LIW😊
Awesome, good grab!
Love the new Islander case back design! I know I'm late to the party, but it's great!
Thanks for reviewing these watches. 🙂👍🏻
Welcome!
I due love the Islander Bayport, but it's not in my collection yet.. Maybe in the future. Keep up the great work! 👍🏻
You got it. Stay tuned, fresh colors coming.
Literally a video I needed as I'm in a rabbit hole for best bang per buck 400 and below diver..I'm a gshock man (rangeman and CasiOak gm2100 with silver face and 5600) honestly the islander is growing on me like crazy.
I too wear a G-shock most of the time (gwm-5610). But last year I got an Islander diver, and let me tell you, you won't regret it. It's got a real charm to it. Mine is a go anywhere, do anything 38mm diver (isl-20).
I have to send a random shoutout. I was at an air show today and wearing my ISL-128 and while I was chatting with a vendor, another customer mentioned that he really liked my watch. I let him check it out and he really liked it.
I love my dark green Kamasu, it's a great everyday diver for the price. I don't really like the small crown, but the bezel is alright, especially compared to the friction ones on my Amphibias. 🥴 But on the 5KX it's the best.
This place has the best customer service ever BTW. Had an issue, Marc made it right instantly. Not used to that level of service in this day and age. Will be buying more! :)
Great to hear!
That Bayport grows on me every time I see it. One day I'll buy an Islander, it's just a matter of which one, and when.
Just bought the Bayport in green . Can't wait
Hey Mark...I just received the PY035B...and, quickly I might add along with Phoibos direct out of stock in my preferred color [baby blue or whatever] (my dyslexic brain will never spell that correct the first time 🤣) and this is a great watch for the money. Some people have said the markers looked like tears on this particular dial but I see them as splashing water which is great for a diver watch. Solid watch for the money. You inventory some great products!
Thanks Mark. Not too much talking... so much good information.
Great choice, I love my blue Kamasu (which is my first dive watch), even if the King Turtle with the green waffle-pattern dial is now my daily beater watch just above my Kamasu.
With a jubilee bracelet the Kamasu and Turtle (King turtle ) look even better. I don't know if you have the option to find a custom jubilee bracelet for the others brands under 100 $. The Phoibos seem really good like the Islander. The spinnaker (Like the AVI-8 same compagny owner, I think) a bit less my personnal taste.
Great video!
Thanks!
I watch the market and am always looking for a new Diver style watches. I spend hours on different websites, especially Ebay. There are a lot of new micro watch brands out there with Seiko movements. They're some of the nicest quality for the money you can buy. It's a Buyer's market if you really look around... 5.29/23
I have owned them all aside from that Islander and I have to say good choices. I was very happy with them.
Eventually you will!
I bought the king turtle a couple of weeks ago. I think you could have also included the citizen ny0040 marine.
Seiko is a fantastic brand. I own an almost 20 year old original Black Monster and it’s never been service and it still is keeping decent time ( looses about -15 seconds per day ). That’s phenomenal accuracy for an almost 20 year old, bare bones movement. Also- the lume still glows like the day I bought it brand new as well. Picked up a new Gen 4 Monster but it didn’t have the “charm” that this original Monster has.
Don’t know why some of my words were crossed out ? Haha
The Bayport in black is a knockout. Love the retro feel and the bracelet. I don't own one, but if I needed a diver I think that would be it.
Thanks cliff
I don’t know if it is too expensive but you could consider applying your islander logo in metal (like the wings logo on breitling, rolex crown on DJ etc). It would look awesome I think. You even could try some „premium“ piece where you do this. Makes the watch whole lot more shiny
I've done this on some models!
Wrist check was D🔥PE in this one! I have the black & red (bred) Spinnaker x LIW Croft (12/200 I think) and it is a great piece, great collab. But that collab on the left wrist 🤯🤯🤯 Saw-weet!
I am a fan since when you were still not filthy rich. I love seeing you now still very humble after being so rich!😂
I remember in 2014 everyone recommended the skx for $150 or the Seiko monster for $200.of course I bought an Orient Mako . The affordable Helm Miyako I am wearing right now is one of the few micro brands that is iso certified 🙂
Helm ! Awesome!
This is a refreshing departure from the "best" dive watch lists filled with the likes of Rolex, Omega, and Blancpain.
Yeah, sickening.
Great set of Divers Mark! Waiting on those awesome Northport Sea foam green and Purple colors to come back in. Also, on the Seiko Turtle you said it was a flat sapphire, I am sure just a flub since most of the watches shown have sapphire. The Seiko has the Hardlex mineral crystal though. EDIT: My bad, you did say it was hardlex later on lol.
glad I caught it!
I’m also waiting for this one’s ☝🏻😄
Phibos and Islander win in the looks department, with a workhorse movement
True, thank you
Hi Mark I had recently bought a citizen watch and for some reason when I turn the chronograph on it, it stops after an hour or so and I need to turn it on again is this normal?
The diver segment is so congested with models cheap to high end I wish watch companies start offering GMTs at the same price points. GMTs with a 100m water resistance is much more functional in my opinion. The movements would not be that more expensive to make if they just up the production of them. I would buy quartz GMT let alone an auto if fairly priced compared to the "divers".😄
Mark, I've already thought the Long Island Watch logo on the dials look bad. Please think about using text or changing the logo.
Orient!
Will Seiko ever be shamed enough to use sapphire when even it's sister company and microbrands do? Given they do offer sapphire in budget quartz watches, it's not like their devotion to hardlex is total and hardlex in a $300-400 watch is untenable in this market.
your thumbnail makes me want to get an islander wall clock..
I cannot find the Ceramic Bezel insert for the Kamasu on your website, what am I missing?
I've got a Phoibos Voyager in the grey dial and love the way the dial plays with the light also mines 40mm not 39 which i prefer on my huge 8.5 inch wrist. While i think the Version 1 Voyager look better than these pastel dials but they still look decent. Also Phoibos used to sell a 300m Quartz watch one of their first and tbh their best watch that sold out everywhere yet they refuse to reissue them.
I have a soft spot for orange and yellow dials, blue and greens are cool too. I love red dials as well. Black goes with everything, and white is just so classy. ( Don't Kanye me )
Help me, I don't want to wear two watches like Mark.
LOL! Ankle time!
what is your wrist size and what are the dimensions lug to lug of that squale x tgv?
bro, any ideas to create a wall clock ?
Please make Tudor GMT-like Islander with new Seiko movement and everyone will be happy :)
Had the Kamasu, hard to turn the bezel and it was very rough feeling when winding it.
The bezel is tough, I will admit.
It’s just 200$ more but the Squale Montauk should get a serious mention here. I love mine!!!
Great watch!
Marc and IGV need to reconsider making more of the rangemaster watch. But hey! its ok to have only a few of a certain watch.... just hurts I missed out.....
Sorry!
It's cool just having a laugh! I'm actually so more happy you responded! Much love texts sound more serious then in person excellent work
Mark, please consider a new release for the range master; very bumped I didn’t see it coming
Sorry
Just bought your ISL-134 - what would you classify this as? Dress watch? etc. Just trying to learn.
I call it sport or "everyday"
wow, you do sell the Made in Japan version of the SPRE93?
Do you think kamasu will be discontinued in like 6 months because i have 200 bucks but i don't wanna buy it now
No, highly highly doubt it. Staple watch!
@@islandwatch thanks for the reply! Love the channel btw
Wait I'm confused... I was told and read you can't overwind a automatic watch.
I think dive watches need to have the 60 minute, rotating bezel. Otherwise, how would you time your dive? A 12 hour bezel won’t do.
So you still consider this Phoibos watch a dive watch, even though it doesn't have a 0-60 bezel to indicate the remaining dive time?
Voyager
The Squale with red bezel needs to come back
Not a big deal but at 15:53 you stated the turtle had a flat sapphire crystal. I was excited for about 30 seconds
I corrected myself. Sorry!
I love the look of the dials and bezels and hands of all these watches. The smaller brands really have unique cool looking faces. But I just cannot get over the thickness of all the watches accept the Orient and Seiko. The case shape and style of the Orient and especially the Seiko are heads and shoulders above the small brands. The small brands just look like a thick cylindrical slug, and stop looking good as soon as you see them from the side. The orient case shape hides its thickness well, and it is at the limit of chunkiness that I consider good looking. (I have the Kumasu shown in this video, is a nice looking watch). And you can hate on Seiko all you want, but the style of their watches, especially their cases puts all brands to shame. Despite the Turtle having the most toned down understated dial, it has a timeless beauty that the other watches cant match. And Seiko takes sleekness a step further with the Dress KX and the land tortoise models. These are based on diver designs but slimmed and sleeked out. They are the best of both worlds and just awesome looking watches. When I am wearing one of my land tortoises and I look down my arm and see the side of the watch, it is just beautiful how that turtle shaped case and coin edge bezel looks. Unlike these fat chunky watches, it looks as good or better from the size as it does looking at the face. I may be a Seikopath, but their designs are just better looking. And putting the crown at 4:00 also makes a watch look so much better. Divers do OK because the case shrouds the crown which makes the crown at 3:00 look good. But a watch with a crown and no crown guards looks like it has an ugly wart on the side. So, as much as I like the colors and bezels and dials of all these watches, I will take the Seiko.
What happened to the Spork? Gone?
I've never understood why Seiko insists on sticking with Hardlex, especially on "working" watches, when so many other manufacturers are fitting sapphire. Given my track record with watches over the years, I've actually avoided Seiko and several other "big" names in preference for smaller brands specifically because the crystals will probably outlive me and still be in good nick. For anything other than a dress watch, it just seems a bit of a strange choice.
I'm still wearing an old Orient M Force as my daily work watch, and it's outlasted everything else I've ever worn by years.
Understood. I think it's a cost/toughness tradeoff for them.
Missing out on a Citizen, best affordable iso rated diver's out there!
Is root beer version ever coming back?
Hell, those watches are amazing. Does anyone know if they can make my purchase be classified as gift when they send watch? My country tax anything above 150$ dollars, so if it is 'gift' i could dodge the customs and taxes, which are way too high
orient!!!
The best!
Hi Mark,
Great set of divers. I am curious if you have any exposure to the PT5000 movement in your offerings or plans to use this movement. I purchased a San Martin on a whim, and frankly, I am astonished by the accuracy on the wrist of this $200 ish watch.
I am an EE by education and I have always felt that a "Quality" watch should be a balance between beauty and function/accuracy. While not a pretty movement, the spot-on accuracy of this "cheap" watch continues to astonish me.
Not yet. As long as I have a healthy supply of NH or 9X, I am happy.
Lots of Sunday divers out there...
People who really dive use a diving computer. these people aren't even Sunday divers. They are desk divers.
Or spend a pinch 🤏 more and get a north port
I bet that Kamasu has better lume than the Turtle
Longer lasting is what I'm talking about
they were clearly all high quality but islander dominated that lume shot cmon now... dont make me turn this comment around
Haha, I'm biased!
Отл! Thanks! 👍
Welcome
I have the 🐙🍋
I was like, Octopus with Lemon? Oh, Phoibos in yellow!
@@islandwatch you got it! Yes I really like it a lot! Glad to see it featured in your video too! Great video review! 👏👏
Talking in riddles, mixing it up. Lol.
No offense to anybody but these are decent watches but glycine is best sub 500 diver
Love my Ray II. Looks way more expensive than it actually is! 😊
Then of course there is Casio Duro!
Black Friday?
Just 3 short weeks away
The picture at 18.52 was telling for me as I think the Kamasu is pretty overrated with the most reflective crystal out there. I own the green dial variant and the watch whites out at various angles because it’s so reflective. People go on about sapphire but without anti reflective treatment I’d rather have mineral or acrylic!
Spinnaker wins for me followed by Phobius (I can’t remember how you spell that word!)😅
Thanks, yes, the glare is strong
Just. Starting. Out. Consider. These. 5. Five. Watches. Under. $400
Casio Duro is a classic too ... as is often pointed out even Bill Gates wears one.
Also (and I know this isn't popular right now) a standard 'collectors starter' diver has always traditionally included the Vostok Amphibia.
Another is the Citizen Promaster some also come with eco-drive (solar) and some are even 'Diver's' ISO certified.
One day I should own an Amphibia
@@islandwatch ... like I said they aren't too popular right now for obvious reasons ... but they are fun ... I would even consider the Amfibia (with an F instead of the PH).
Considering your aeronautical background ones with Russian fighter planes might be fun. Essentially that is what they are rugged, inexpensive, easy to regulate and mod starter watches ... although the retro tech on the caseback to make them waterproof is fascinating.
@@karlsenula9495 I own 3 Vostoks and I just can't get myself to wear them right now. They are great watches, especially for the money!
The Spinnaker looks really cool, never seen a bezel like that.
Are there any other divers with unusual bezels?
[edit] I googled "watch internal bezel" and already found a fair few! [/edit]
Yes, for sure!
Seiko....the ugliest, worst specs and most expensive of the lot......no surprises here!
Lol. The truth
i would love to see an islander based of the 62mas perhaps in a 39mm case that would be a hot one ...