Side by side

Gruppo Gamma Vanguard SteelvsWolbrook Skindiver Automatic

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

Vanguard Steel
Gruppo GammaVanguard Steel
MSRP $790
Skindiver Automatic
WolbrookSkindiver Automatic
MSRP $453
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.

Wolbrook Skindiver Automatic

The Wolbrook Skindiver Automatic is widely praised for its attractive vintage aesthetic, comfortable wearability, and legible dial, with many owners highlighting its quality build and value under $500. Owners often commend the Beads of Rice bracelet and tropic strap, the box sapphire crystal, and the overall solid feel that suggests nothing is cheap. Specific praise is given to its lume, which some find lasts well and is great, and its accuracy, with one owner noting exceptional performance. However, some find the finishing merely fine, not exceptional, and note issues with the push-pull crown lacking a positive lock or being noisy. The 20mm strap width and drilled lugs that don't fit all spring bars are also mentioned as potential drawbacks. The Miyota 8315 movement, while preferred over the 8215, is described by one owner as noisy, and the non-transferable warranty policy is a concern for some.

At a glance

14 of 29 specs differ
Diameter
Vanguard Steel42mm
Skindiver Automatic40mm
Power Reserve
Vanguard Steel42h
Skindiver Automatic40h
Water Resistance
Vanguard Steel100m
Skindiver Automatic150m
MSRP
Vanguard Steel$790
Skindiver Automatic$453

Full specifications

Case

7 specs
Category
Diver
Diameter
42mm
40mm
Thickness
12.6mm
13mm
Lug-to-Lug
49.5mm
Lug Width
22mm
20mm
Material
Stainless Steel
316L Stainless Steel
Water Resistance
100m
150m

Crystal & Dial

4 specs
Crystal
Sapphire
Domed Sapphire
AR Coating
Yes
Inner
Dial Color
Forged Carbon
Green
Lume
Super-LumiNova
None

Movement

2 specs
Caliber
Miyota 9039
Miyota 8315
Power Reserve
42h
40h

Pricing

1 specs
MSRP
$790
$453
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