Side by side

Gruppo Gamma Vanguard SteelvsPhoibos Reef Master

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

Vanguard Steel
Gruppo GammaVanguard Steel
MSRP $790
Reef Master
PhoibosReef Master
MSRP $335

At a glance

8 of 29 specs differ
Diameter
Vanguard Steel42mm
Reef Master42mm
Power Reserve
Vanguard Steel42h
Reef Master40h
Water Resistance
Vanguard Steel100m
Reef Master200m
MSRP
Vanguard Steel$790
Reef Master$335

Full specifications

Case

4 specs
Category
Diver
Thickness
12.6mm
13mm
Lug-to-Lug
49.5mm
48mm
Water Resistance
100m
200m

Crystal & Dial

1 specs
Dial Color
Forged Carbon
Green

Movement

2 specs
Caliber
Miyota 9039
SII NH38
Power Reserve
42h
40h

Pricing

1 specs
MSRP
$790
$335

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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.

Phoibos Reef Master

Owners widely praise the Phoibos Reef Master for its exceptional value, highlighting its sapphire crystal, DLC coating, and extensive BGW9 lume. The watch is noted for its cool lume, with one owner finding it not bulky despite its robust build. The Shamrock Green dial and texture are highly praised, as is the comfortable bracelet with solid end links. However, the bezel action is described as rough, and the basic folding clasp is a disappointment. Accuracy is reported as excellent, with one owner seeing +-2 sec/day. Some find the 42mm size almost too big for their wrists, and the date window is considered too small. Overall, owners rate the Phoibos Reef Master highly for its impressive feature set and value at its price point.

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