Side by side

Gruppo Gamma Vanguard SteelvsTissot Telemeter 1938

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

Vanguard Steel
Gruppo GammaVanguard Steel
MSRP $790
Telemeter 1938
TissotTelemeter 1938
MSRP $2,400
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.

Tissot Telemeter 1938

The Tissot Telemeter 1938 is widely praised for its vintage-inspired aesthetic, handsome dial finishing, and value as a mechanical chronograph. Owners and reviewers highlight its balanced dial, the "old-looking" vintage logo, and the attractive two-tone dial variations. The Valjoux A05.231 movement is noted for its 68-hour power reserve, though one owner describes its feel as "alive" and "like its engine." The double-sided anti-reflective coating and the way sunlight interacts with the hands are also appreciated. However, the 42mm case size is frequently cited as being too large for a retro-inspired watch, with many wishing for a smaller option, and its 30-meter water resistance is considered poor. The pusher feel is described as sharp, though slightly stiff, and one reviewer found the Tissot branding on the dial and crown excessive.

At a glance

11 of 29 specs differ
Diameter
Vanguard Steel42mm
Telemeter 193842mm
Power Reserve
Vanguard Steel42h
Telemeter 193868h
Water Resistance
Vanguard Steel100m
Telemeter 193830m
MSRP
Vanguard Steel$790
Telemeter 1938$2,400

Full specifications

Case

4 specs
Category
Chronograph
Thickness
12.6mm
13.85mm
Lug-to-Lug
49.5mm
42mm
Water Resistance
100m
30m

Crystal & Dial

4 specs
Crystal Shape
Flat
Domed
Dial Color
Forged Carbon
Silver
Indices
Applied
Arabic
Lume
Super-LumiNova
None

Movement

2 specs
Caliber
Miyota 9039
Valjoux A05.231
Power Reserve
42h
68h

Pricing

1 specs
MSRP
$790
$2,400
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