Side by side

Gruppo Gamma Vanguard SteelvsVaer D5 Meridian Auto

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

Vanguard Steel
Gruppo GammaVanguard Steel
MSRP $790
D5 Meridian Auto
VaerD5 Meridian Auto
MSRP $679

At a glance

13 of 29 specs differ
Diameter
Vanguard Steel42mm
D5 Meridian Auto39mm
Power Reserve
Vanguard Steel42h
D5 Meridian Auto40h
Water Resistance
Vanguard Steel100m
D5 Meridian Auto200m
MSRP
Vanguard Steel$790
D5 Meridian Auto$679

Full specifications

Case

7 specs
Category
Diver
Diameter
42mm
39mm
Thickness
12.6mm
12.5mm
Lug-to-Lug
49.5mm
46mm
Lug Width
22mm
20mm
Material
Stainless Steel
316L Stainless Steel
Water Resistance
100m
200m

Crystal & Dial

3 specs
AR Coating
Yes
Inner
Dial Color
Forged Carbon
Black
Lume
Super-LumiNova
None

Movement

2 specs
Caliber
Miyota 9039
Miyota 9015
Power Reserve
42h
40h

Pricing

1 specs
MSRP
$790
$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.

Vaer D5 Meridian Auto

Owners widely praise the Vaer D5 Meridian Auto for its classic aesthetic, comfortable 39mm size, and well-executed 120-click bezel with minimal back play. Reviewers highlight the anodized aluminum bezel insert, lyre lugs, sword hands, and gold accents on the blue sunburst dial as contributing to its old-school charm, making it a great companion for desk diving with comfortable strap options and quick-release spring bars. One owner specifically noted satisfaction with the 42mm variant's premium steel bracelet featuring a tool-less micro-adjust clasp. On balance, owners and reviewers rate the Vaer D5 Meridian Auto highly for its classic design and comfortable wearability at its price point.

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