Side by side

Gruppo Gamma Vanguard SteelvsOrient Bambino Version 1

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

Vanguard Steel
Gruppo GammaVanguard Steel
MSRP $790
Bambino Version 1
OrientBambino Version 1
MSRP $255
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.

Orient Bambino Version 1

The Orient Bambino Version 1 is widely praised as an exceptional value dress watch with a timeless aesthetic, appreciated for its automatic movement and quality under $150. Owners consistently highlight its smart, quintessential dress watch look, with Roman numeral and index markers being a particular point of admiration. Some reviewers note the dial has a greenish/blueish tint rather than pure white, and the winding motion is described as a little rough. Accuracy is reported as very good, with one owner seeing +1 second per day. While the design is praised, some find its size slightly large for a dress watch, and one owner found rotor noise and size bothersome. Stock straps are frequently mentioned as a drawback, described as plasticky, non-tapering, or not to taste. Some owners suggest better value can be found elsewhere, citing mineral crystal and non-hacking, non-handwinding movement as drawbacks.

At a glance

18 of 29 specs differ
Diameter
Vanguard Steel42mm
Bambino Version 140mm
Power Reserve
Vanguard Steel42h
Bambino Version 140h
Water Resistance
Vanguard Steel100m
Bambino Version 130m
MSRP
Vanguard Steel$790
Bambino Version 1$255

Full specifications

Case

6 specs
Category
Dress
Diameter
42mm
40mm
Thickness
12.6mm
11.8mm
Lug-to-Lug
49.5mm
46.8mm
Lug Width
22mm
21mm
Water Resistance
100m
30m

Crystal & Dial

6 specs
Crystal
Sapphire
Mineral
Crystal Shape
Flat
AR Coating
Yes
Dial Color
Forged Carbon
Black
Indices
Applied
Lume
Super-LumiNova
None

Movement

5 specs
Caliber
Miyota 9039
F6724
Beat Rate
28,800 vph
21,600 vph
Power Reserve
42h
40h
Jewels
25
22
Complications
None
Date

Pricing

1 specs
MSRP
$790
$255
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