Badger Watches makes it debut on Kickstarter with the Islander, an automatic wristwatch with an interesting tonneau-shaped case. While most tonneau cases are made up of multiple curved lines, the Islander case is composed of several straight lines and flat surfaces, giving it a slightly 1970s vibe.

The brand is based in Singapore – a city-state that’s an island – which is where the model name comes from. Affordable watches like the Islander usually work best if most of the effort is concentrated on one element; here the focus is undoubtedly the case.

Measuring 38mm in diameter and 48mm long, the case is steel with alternating brushed and polished surfaces. It’s stamped from a block of steel, giving it softer edges and corners than if it were milled, but with a price tag of under US$400 that’s more than enough.

Four dial colours are available, including one in silver with blue accents that’s a 99-piece limited edition. With only minimal text on the edge, the dials have the same stamped radial motif, along with tapered hands reminiscent of the Marc Newson-designed Ikepod watches. The date window is placed at six o’clock to maintain the symmetry of the dial.

The Islander is powered by a Sellita SW200-1, which is a clone of the ETA 2824. A low-cost but robust movement, the SW200 has a shortish 38-hour power reserve.

Key facts

Diameter: 38mm
Height: 11mm
Material: Steel
Water resistance: 50m

Movement: SW200-1
Functions: Hours, minutes, and second; date
Winding: Automatic

Frequency: 28,800bph, or 4Hz
Power reserve: 38 hours

Strap: Suede or calfskin

Price and availability

The Islander is priced at US$399 for the duration of the crowdfunding campaign, except for the silver-dial limited edition, which is US$420. The retail price after that will be US$700. It’s available on Kickstarter now.