Side by side

Gruppo Gamma Vanguard SteelvsMaen Skymaster 38 MKIII

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

Vanguard Steel
Gruppo GammaVanguard Steel
MSRP $790
Skymaster 38 MKIII
MaenSkymaster 38 MKIII
MSRP $1,679

At a glance

13 of 29 specs differ
Diameter
Vanguard Steel42mm
Skymaster 38 MKIII38mm
Power Reserve
Vanguard Steel42h
Skymaster 38 MKIII40h
Water Resistance
Vanguard Steel100m
Skymaster 38 MKIII100m
MSRP
Vanguard Steel$790
Skymaster 38 MKIII$1,679

Full specifications

Case

6 specs
Category
Chronograph
Diameter
42mm
38mm
Thickness
12.6mm
13.4mm
Lug-to-Lug
49.5mm
Lug Width
22mm
Material
Stainless Steel
316L Stainless Steel

Crystal & Dial

4 specs
Crystal
Sapphire
Domed Sapphire
AR Coating
Yes
Inner
Dial Color
Forged Carbon
M6.1.1
Lume
Super-LumiNova
None

Movement

2 specs
Caliber
Miyota 9039
Sellita SW510mb
Power Reserve
42h
40h

Pricing

1 specs
MSRP
$790
$1,679

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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.

Maen Skymaster 38 MKIII

The Maen Skymaster 38 MKIII is praised for its refined case, impressive fit and finish, and compact 38mm size, which offers a premium feel with a sharp, legible dial and well-executed applied markers. Reviewers note the sweet winding action and the vintage-inspired brown sunburst dial with dauphine hands and lollipop register pointers. The watch is powered by a manual-wind Sellita SW510Mb movement with a 63-hour power reserve. Accuracy figures vary, with one reviewer reporting +7 seconds per day and another stating a tolerance of +/-15 seconds per day. On balance, owners and reviewers appreciate the Maen Skymaster 38 MKIII for its refined vintage-inspired design and compact dimensions at its price point.

From video reviewers

The 38mm case size is a key strength for the Maen Skymaster 38 MKIII. Reviewers noted the excellent quality-price ratio for a Swiss-made chronograph.

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