Islander Journey BDL77 36mm Watch Review - ISL-274

I was already a fan of the Islander Watch company since meeting the team in person at Windup Watch Fair where I picked up a Sands Point titanium diver. That watch is top-notch, and it's sold by a team of great guys. The brand's new Islander Journey BLD77 watch in 36mm is no different.

The owner, Marc has even given invaluable advice, helping improve the operation of StrapHabit. I think that we get along because we both come from an engineering background. That's also why I was moved to purchase the BDL77. Island Watch will donate 100% of $299 sale price to The Brian LaViolette Scholarship Foundation, helping other kids to get the type of education that we were both lucky enough to receive. The brand aims to donate a total of $45,000!

If you're familiar with StrapHabit's activity with Men Wear Pink, I find it important for businesses to be transparent in their charitable activities. Donations should be meaningful and not just used for marketing. You can't do better than the 100% that Islander is donating.

First Impressions of the Islander Journey BDL77

Fans of the 36mm Rolex Explorer will find the appearance of the Journey familiar. It does not, however, look like a homage. Of course, the silver sunburst dial is not available on the Rolex. Additionally, the hands are quite different and the crown is larger. Islander used it for inspiration and added its own DNA.

Islander Journey BDL77 Details

A number of details differentiate the Journey from its non-limited cousin, the 36mm Islander Manhasset. The most obvious is the silver sunburst dial. The Manhassat is only available in black, maroon, and ice blue.

The Brian LaVoilette Scholarship Foundation logo is printed in black on the lower portion of the dial, and a dark green seconds hand is used.

Additonally the transparent caseback features the text "The Journey is the Reward," encouraging owners to cherish every moment of life.

Included with the watch is a book of the same title penned by Brian's family, as well as The Brian LaViolette Foundation Deck of Cards.

The rest of the watch is the typical quality you'd expect of an Islander. A polished bezel sits above a brushed and polished Stainless steel case.

A brushed metal chapter ring sits above the dial, which has hash marks for the minutes and numerals on the fives. A simple Islander logo and brand name are the only text on the dial.

It's all covered with a sapphire crystal that has AR coating.

Wearing the Islander Journey BDL77

The BDL77 was originally available in 40mm and 36mm variants. The 40mm would have been right in my wheelhouse, but that model was already sold out when I learned about it. While I usually choose watches that are 38mm and above, the size works well in this application.

This is partially because t wears a 20mm bracelet rather than the 18mm size that you might often find in smaller watches. This gives it a bigger wrist presence, and I never felt like it was too small for me.

At 12mm thick, it's also slim for a watch with an NH movement inside.

I was afraid that the silver hands would blend into the silver sunburst dial, making the BDL77 difficult to read. While it's not quite as legible as a black dial watch, the hands are polished on the centers and edges. This reflects light in most conditions, making them easy to pick out visually.

Distinct hour markers also make the time easy to read.

In the dark, C3 Super-LumiNova ensures legibility as well. The hour markers are filled with it (including the triangle at 12, and the Arabics at 3, 6, and 9). The hands also have a distinctive application giving a skeletonized look. This provides legibility at night but gives a mostly metallic look during the day.

The bracelet and replacement straps for the Islander Journey BDL77

Islander provides an oyster-style bracelet with the Journey. Solid end links are used, and a stamped clasp with three micro-position holes.

It also features screwed-in links rather than pins and collars. Something that Seiko doesn't offer at anywhere near this price. Links can easily be removed with a single screwdriver rather than requiring a bracelet tool. Islander also sells a jubilee-style bracelet to fit.

Since the lug width is 20mm, tons of straps will look great on it (plus drilled lugs make removing the original bracelet a breeze).

I found that green straps look great on it and tie in with the green second hand. I like wearing this type of watch with an FKM Deployant strap.

A dark green Smooth FKM Rubber also goes well with the understated look of the watch.

Keeping with the charity theme, I'll be wearing it on a Men Wear Pink strap next month!

Here is a list of some of the straps that would fit and we think look great with this watch. At the end of the article, you'll also find photos of some of our favorite combinations. You can also view our Guide to Choosing a Watch Strap.

-Ribbed Rubber Pass-Through
-Ridge Rubber
-Tropical Rubber
-Premium Sailcloth
-Rubber and Sailcloth Hybrid Straps
-Vented Rubber
-Slim Ridge Rubber
-Waffle Rubber
-Epsom Leather
-Elastic
-Seatbelt

Islander Journey BDL77 Movement

Islander powers the Journey with a Seiko NH35 movement. The proverbial workhorse provides a reliable 40 hours of power reserve plus hacking and hand-winding. Marc says the date mechanism is removed, but the crown does have an additional position.

The NH35 visible through an exhibition caseback. Etched on the caseback is the limited version number out of 77, and it also features custom etching on the Seiko rotor.

Conclusion

I purchased this watch because I liked the story behind it. As I've come to expect from Islanders it also provides great value for money. For under $300, you're getting a Seiko automatic movement, sapphire crystal (with AR), Super-LumiNova, and a screw link bracelet. Other brands (especially Seiko) charge significantly more for watches with a spec list like that.

The charity connotation is very subtle on the dial, and the rest of the watch is clean and attractive. Like with the Explorer, it's a watch that can be worn in almost any situation (except with a dramatically reduced risk of theft).

At this time, all 77 copies of the 40mm version are gone, but there are a few of the 36mm versions like this one left. You can visit the Long Island Watch website here to secure yours. If the watch is sold out by the time you're reading this, but you'd still like to help, please make a donation at the LaViolette Foundation website.

 

Islander Journey BDL77 Specifications

Name: Islander Journey BDL77
Reference Number: ISL-274
MSRP: $299
Diameter: 36mm
Height: 43m
Thickness: 12mm
Weight: 125g
Lug Width: 20mm
Movement: Seiko NH35
Power Reserve: 40 hours
Water Resistance: 100m
Crystal: Sapphire with anti-reflective coating
Crown:  Screw-down
Bezel: Fixed
Bracelet: Stainless steel with deployant clasp

 

Shop replacement straps for the Islander Journey BDL77:

Men Wear Pink Deployant FKM Rubber

Deployant FKM Rubber

Ridge FKM Rubber

Premium Sailcloth

Ribbed FKM Rubber Pass-Through

Full Grain Epsom Style Leather: