Side by side

Gruppo Gamma Vanguard SteelvsDryden Heartlander Automatic

The numbers, the dial colors, the calibers — laid out so you can stop flipping between tabs.

Vanguard Steel
Gruppo GammaVanguard Steel
MSRP $790
Heartlander Automatic
DrydenHeartlander Automatic
MSRP $600

At a glance

12 of 29 specs differ
Diameter
Vanguard Steel42mm
Heartlander Automatic38mm
Power Reserve
Vanguard Steel42h
Heartlander Automatic40h
Water Resistance
Vanguard Steel100m
Heartlander Automatic101m
MSRP
Vanguard Steel$790
Heartlander Automatic$600

Full specifications

Case

6 specs
Category
Field
Diameter
42mm
38mm
Thickness
12.6mm
11.2mm
Lug-to-Lug
49.5mm
46mm
Lug Width
22mm
20mm
Water Resistance
100m
101m

Crystal & Dial

4 specs
Crystal
Sapphire
Domed Sapphire
AR Coating
Yes
Inner
Dial Color
Forged Carbon
Goldfinch
Lume
Super-LumiNova
None

Movement

1 specs
Power Reserve
42h
40h

Pricing

1 specs
MSRP
$790
$600

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What people say

Owners + reviewers, side by side

Synthesized for each watch independently from owner discussions, enthusiast forums, written reviews, and video reviewers.

Gruppo Gamma Vanguard Steel

The Gruppo Gamma Vanguard Steel is praised for its aged steel case and cream sandwich dial. However, some owners dislike the distorted sapphire crystal and the absence of minute markers, with one noting difficulty in replacing the crystal due to hand fitment. The watch features a Miyota 9039 movement with a 42-hour power reserve and an accuracy range of -10 to +30 seconds per day, and is offered with two strap options. On balance, owners value the Gruppo Gamma Vanguard Steel for its distinctive aged aesthetic and dial design, despite some reservations about the crystal.

From video reviewers

Movement accuracy is a notable strength, with one reviewer noting a -1.8 second per day deviation after initial testing. A weakness is the substantial price hike for the re-release model, which raises questions about whether the upgrades justify the cost. Reviewers disagree on the watch's originality, with one calling it "decidedly derivative" and the other not mentioning this aspect.

Dryden Heartlander Automatic

The Dryden Heartlander Automatic is widely praised for its versatility, comfortable 38mm case that wears smaller than its dimensions suggest, and excellent dial variety. Reviewers highlight its value at $500, noting good finishing, a domed sapphire crystal, and 100m water resistance. The tapering bracelet with solid links is also considered comfortable. One owner notes the crown may protrude slightly and irritate some wearers. On balance, owners and reviewers rate the Dryden Heartlander Automatic highly for its combination of wearability, features, and value.

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