Side by side

Gruppo Gamma Vanguard SteelvsHELM Vanuatu

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

Vanguard Steel
Gruppo GammaVanguard Steel
MSRP $790
Vanuatu
HELMVanuatu
MSRP $285

At a glance

10 of 29 specs differ
Diameter
Vanguard Steel42mm
Vanuatu42mm
Power Reserve
Vanguard Steel42h
Vanuatu40h
Water Resistance
Vanguard Steel100m
Vanuatu300m
MSRP
Vanguard Steel$790
Vanuatu$285

Full specifications

Case

4 specs
Category
Diver
Thickness
12.6mm
14mm
Lug-to-Lug
49.5mm
50mm
Water Resistance
100m
300m

Crystal & Dial

1 specs
Dial Color
Forged Carbon
Black

Movement

4 specs
Caliber
Miyota 9039
Seiko Instruments NH35
Power Reserve
42h
40h
Jewels
25
24
Complications
None
Date

Pricing

1 specs
MSRP
$790
$285

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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.

HELM Vanuatu

Owners widely praise the HELM Vanuatu for its exceptional comfort, with the titanium bracelet frequently cited as "uber-comfortable" and the watch itself being less overbearing on the wrist than comparable dive watches. Reviewers note its great bezel action and overall quality, with one owner finding the purchase satisfactory despite a nearly two-year wait. On balance, owners rate the HELM Vanuatu highly for its wearability and solid build at the price.

From video reviewers

The case finishing is consistently praised. The bracelet is noted as having significant rattle.

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