Side by side

Gruppo Gamma Vanguard SteelvsIslander Islander Automatic Dive Watch with Bracelet, Double-Domed AR Sapphire Crystal, and Embossed Ceramic Bezel Insert #ISL-18

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

Vanguard Steel
Gruppo GammaVanguard Steel
MSRP $790
Islander Automatic Dive Watch with Bracelet, Double-Domed AR Sapphire Crystal, and Embossed Ceramic Bezel Insert #ISL-18
IslanderIslander Automatic Dive Watch with Bracelet, Double-Domed AR Sapphire Crystal, and Embossed Ceramic Bezel Insert #ISL-18
MSRP $429

At a glance

17 of 29 specs differ
Diameter
Vanguard Steel42mm
Islander Automatic Dive Watch with Bracelet, Double-Domed AR Sapphire Crystal, and Embossed Ceramic Bezel Insert #ISL-1843mm
Power Reserve
Vanguard Steel42h
Islander Automatic Dive Watch with Bracelet, Double-Domed AR Sapphire Crystal, and Embossed Ceramic Bezel Insert #ISL-18
Water Resistance
Vanguard Steel100m
Islander Automatic Dive Watch with Bracelet, Double-Domed AR Sapphire Crystal, and Embossed Ceramic Bezel Insert #ISL-18200m
MSRP
Vanguard Steel$790
Islander Automatic Dive Watch with Bracelet, Double-Domed AR Sapphire Crystal, and Embossed Ceramic Bezel Insert #ISL-18$429

Full specifications

Case

7 specs
Category
Diver
Diameter
42mm
43mm
Thickness
12.6mm
14mm
Lug-to-Lug
49.5mm
46mm
Finish
Brushed and polished
Water Resistance
100m
200m
Caseback
Solid
Engraved screw-in back

Crystal & Dial

5 specs
Crystal Shape
Flat
Double Domed
AR Coating
Yes
Yes
Dial Color
Forged Carbon
Indices
Applied
Lume
Super-LumiNova
None

Movement

4 specs
Caliber
Miyota 9039
Seiko NH36
Beat Rate
28,800 vph
0 vph
Power Reserve
42h
0h
Jewels
25
0

Pricing

1 specs
MSRP
$790
$429

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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.

Islander Automatic Dive Watch with Bracelet, Double-Domed AR Sapphire Crystal, and Embossed Ceramic Bezel Insert #ISL-18

Islander Automatic Dive Watch with Bracelet, Double-Domed AR Sapphire Crystal, and Embossed Ceramic Bezel Insert #ISL-18 owners praise its $300 value, noting the double-domed AR sapphire crystal and embossed ceramic bezel. The 43mm size is appreciated, and the NH36 movement offers hand-winding and hacking. On balance, owners rate the Islander Automatic Dive Watch with Bracelet, Double-Domed AR Sapphire Crystal, and Embossed Ceramic Bezel Insert #ISL-18 highly for its substantial feel and feature set at the price point.

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