Islander is the house brand of Long Island Watch, a prominent American online retailer based in Farmingdale, New York. The brand was founded in 2019 by Marc Frankel, who had established Long Island Watch in 2001. Frankel’s transition from retailer to creator was driven by the desire to address specific feedback from the enthusiast community and to offer high-specification timepieces that bridged the gap between entry-level commercial watches and high-end luxury brands.
The brand has gained a significant following among watch enthusiasts for its “for enthusiasts, by enthusiasts” philosophy. People are drawn to Islander because the watches typically feature premium components—such as sapphire crystals, ceramic bezel inserts, and solid-link bracelets with milled clasps—at accessible price points. The brand is also recognized for its transparency regarding its use of reliable Japanese movements, primarily from Seiko (SII) and Miyota. Furthermore, many Islander models are designed to be compatible with parts for iconic discontinued watches, such as the Seiko SKX series, allowing for a high degree of versatility and customization that appeals to the hobbyist community.
The Islander catalog has expanded rapidly to cover nearly every horological genre, including dive, pilot, field, and dress watches. One of its most successful and recognizable collections is the Northport series, a line of hi-beat dive watches inspired by the maritime heritage of the North Shore of Long Island. The Northport is noted for its textured ripple dials and compact 40.5mm case dimensions. Other key pieces include the Brookville series, which offers a versatile dress-watch aesthetic, and the Sands Point, a specialized titanium diver. More recently, the brand has introduced Ameriquartz models, which are movements assembled in the United States, reinforcing its identity as a leading American independent brand.
