I’ve always had a great deal of respect for what Long Island Watch has managed to build over the years. As far as watch retailers go, I still consider them among the best in the business, especially when it comes to understanding what enthusiasts actually want. That perspective has carried over into my appreciation for Islander watches, many of which take familiar design cues from classic Seiko models and offer a compelling alternative to the countless modified watches floating around the enthusiast community. I’ve generally appreciated that approach, even when the designs themselves haven’t necessarily been something I’d gravitate toward.
This Islander Melville GMT caught my attention because of its unusual dial and color combination. I’ve always liked the textured dials and GMT layouts found on certain Grand Seiko models, and I could see some of that influence here. I think of this especially when I see the GMT scale numbers on watches like the Grand Seiko SBGJ249. The Melville takes a different approach with a white golf-ball-textured dial, green and yellow accents, and a leather strap. None of those choices would ordinarily appeal to me, and I had my doubts when I first saw the watch. After getting it out of the box, I was surprised by how much I liked it. The dial texture was subtler than I expected, and the colors looked better together in person. I was interested to see whether I’d feel the same way after wearing it for a few weeks.
Getting Comfortable With the Melville
Two to three weeks with the Melville have given me plenty of opportunities to reconsider that first impression. I’ve worn it long enough to stop paying attention to the dimensions, which is probably the most useful thing I can say about the case. At 40mm across and 47.5mm lug to lug, it wears about how I’d expect. The 13mm thickness is noticeable, particularly when I look at the watch from the side, although it hasn’t caused any problems during the time I’ve spent wearing it.
I wouldn’t call the case finishing exceptional. The brushed and polished surfaces look appropriate for a $399 watch, and I haven’t found anything objectionable about the construction. I also haven’t spent much time admiring the case on its own. When I think about the Grand Seiko influence here, I’m drawn more to the dial design and GMT layout. Those are the elements that initially caught my attention, and they’ve continued to hold it.
The 84-gram weight helps. On the supplied leather strap, the Melville feels present without becoming a nuisance over a full day. I tend to notice a watch’s shortcomings more after several hours than I do during the first few minutes out of the box. In this case, I could go about my day without adjusting the strap or thinking much about the watch’s size. That’s been a consistent part of the experience.
There’s also a domed sapphire crystal with internal anti-reflective coating, a screw-down crown, and a 100-meter water resistance rating. I like having those features, although the leather strap makes swimming an unlikely activity for this particular loaner.
The Golf Details
I expected the dial texture to be more aggressive. A white dial covered in golf-ball dimples sounds like a design that could get old pretty quickly, especially for someone with no real attachment to golf. In person, the pattern is surprisingly restrained. I can see it clearly when I bring the watch closer, and different lighting makes it easier or harder to pick out. From a normal viewing distance, I often notice the hands and colored accents first.
That was an encouraging discovery because this Melville has plenty of other things happening on its dial. The green and yellow accents were part of my initial hesitation, and they still fall outside the colors I’d usually choose. I can’t say that a few weeks with this watch have suddenly made me a green-and-yellow dial person. I have, however, enjoyed seeing how Islander has worked those colors into the golf references. The dial looks considered rather than assembled from a collection of unrelated ideas.
My favorite detail is the little flag at the 18-hour marker. It’s such a specific choice, and I like that the reference to the eighteenth hole occupies a position that already exists within the GMT display. I’ve caught myself looking for it even when I already know what time it is. The putter-shaped counterbalance on the seconds hand is another good touch. So is the water resistance rating expressed in yards, which is the sort of detail I might have missed entirely during a quick look at the product photos.
Those smaller references have been the most enjoyable part of wearing the Melville. I noticed some right away and picked up on others later. After the first few days, I was still finding reasons to look closely at the dial. That’s a better result than I expected from a watch with such a literal theme.
Interested in the Islander Melville GMT?
Long Island Watch provided the ISL-211 for this hands-on review. You can take a closer look at the watch, explore its specifications, and browse other Islander models directly through Long Island Watch.
Explore the Islander Melville GMT at Long Island Watch
My relationship with golf probably deserves a little explanation. I don’t play. I like the idea of playing, and I can imagine myself getting into it someday, but so far that’s where the ambition ends. Apparently, liking the general concept of spending an afternoon outdoors hasn’t been enough to get me onto a course. The Melville has been enjoyable anyway. I appreciate the references as design decisions, even when I have no personal memories of the sport to attach to them.
The dial also works reasonably well when I need it to do the basic job of telling time. I haven’t struggled with the main hands against the white background, and the texture hasn’t interfered with reading them. The GMT hand occasionally takes an extra moment to find. I suspect that’s the trade-off for giving the additional hand its own color and distinctive counterbalance within an already detailed layout. It’s a small irritation, but it’s the one area where I can feel the design competing with the function.
Movement, Strap, and Daily Use
The Seiko NH34 has been a sensible choice for the Melville. It’s an automatic movement with hand-winding, hacking seconds, and an independently adjustable 24-hour hand. I generally find a caller GMT useful because I can set a second time zone without having to change the main time display. During this loan, the arrangement has suited me just fine.
I haven’t kept a detailed accuracy log, so I can’t offer meaningful numbers for daily gain or loss. What I can say is that the movement has run reliably during normal use. Setting the time comes with a little of the familiar NH34 fussiness, although the crown itself has been easy enough to operate. Once I’ve finished making adjustments, I’ve had little reason to think about the movement again.
The leather strap deserves some credit for how comfortable this watch has been. I usually prefer bracelets, and I was unsure about the strap when I first saw the Melville. After wearing it, I think it suits the colors and keeps the watch feeling light enough for daily use. The prong buckle has been straightforward, and I haven’t felt an immediate need to replace the strap.
I would have liked quick-release spring bars, though. This is my clearest complaint about the watch. With a standard 20mm lug width, there are plenty of straps I’d be curious to try, particularly something darker that might change how the green and yellow accents come across. I haven’t actually made that swap, so I can’t say whether it would improve the look. I just wish experimenting were easier. On a watch where the color combination is such a large part of the experience, that feels like a missed convenience.
At $399, I think the package is especially good. I get an NH34 GMT, sapphire crystals front and back, a screw-down crown, 100 meters of water resistance, and a comfortable strap. There’s also a one-year warranty. None of those specifications is particularly surprising on its own, and I wouldn’t buy the watch on the strength of a checklist. Having them all here means I’ve been able to enjoy the design without encountering an obvious practical compromise.
Where I Landed
I came into this review expecting the golf theme to be the part I’d talk about most. It certainly gave me plenty to examine, but the wearing experience has mattered just as much. The case is comfortable, the movement has behaved as expected, and the dial has held my interest beyond the first few days. I really enjoyed having the Melville on my wrist.
I also know my own preferences well enough to admit that I probably wouldn’t buy this particular configuration. The white, green, and yellow palette still isn’t something I’d seek out for my collection. I can admire the way the colors work together here and enjoy the golf references without wanting to live with that combination indefinitely. I’ve had plenty of fun with the loaner, and I’m comfortable leaving it there.
I’d add quick-release spring bars if I could change one thing, and I’d welcome a GMT hand that’s easier to locate at a glance. Otherwise, I think Islander made sensible decisions about where to spend the money. It’s definitely not a Grand Seiko but, the vibes are definitely there in a fun quirky way. The dial gets the attention it deserves, while the rest of the watch remains comfortable and straightforward to use.
I started with doubts about whether all these ideas would come together. A few weeks later, I still don’t play golf, and I still wouldn’t have picked these colors for myself. But I’ve enjoyed this watch far more than I expected. That’s enough to make the Melville a worthwhile detour from my usual tastes.
Editorial Disclosure: Long Island Watch provided the Islander Melville GMT ISL-211 on loan for this review. No payment was exchanged, and Long Island Watch had no input into our editorial coverage. The watch will be returned following our review period. Readers interested in the Melville GMT can find it at Long Island Watch, along with their broader selection of Islander watches.
Co-Founder & Senior Editor
Michael Peñate is an American writer, photographer, and podcaster based in Seattle, Washington. His work typically focuses on the passage of time and the tools we use to connect with that very journey. From aviation to music and travel, his interests span a multitude of disciplines that often intersect with the world of watches – and the obsessive culture behind collecting them.