Side by side

Brew RetrographvsHELM Vanuatu

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

Retrograph
BrewRetrograph
MSRP $375
Vanuatu
HELMVanuatu
MSRP $285

At a glance

22 of 29 specs differ
Diameter
Retrograph38mm
Vanuatu42mm
Power Reserve
Retrograph
Vanuatu40h
Water Resistance
Retrograph50m
Vanuatu300m
MSRP
Retrograph$375
Vanuatu$285

Full specifications

Case

8 specs
Category
Chronograph
Diver
Diameter
38mm
42mm
Thickness
10.4mm
14mm
Lug-to-Lug
41.5mm
50mm
Material
Stainless Steel 316L
Stainless Steel
Finish
Brushed and polished
Water Resistance
50m
300m
Caseback
Stainless Steel 316L
Solid

Crystal & Dial

5 specs
Crystal Shape
Flat
AR Coating
Yes
Dial Color
Cobalt Blue Sunburst
Black
Indices
Applied
Lume
None
Super-LumiNova

Movement

8 specs
Caliber
VK64
Seiko Instruments NH35
Type
Quartz
Automatic
Beat Rate
0 vph
28,800 vph
Power Reserve
0h
40h
Jewels
0
24
Hacking
No
Yes
Hand-winding
No
Yes
Complications
Chronograph
Date

Pricing

1 specs
MSRP
$375
$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.

Brew Retrograph

The Brew Retrograph is widely praised for its unique 1970s "TV Dial" aesthetic, thin profile, and comfortable wearability, with owners appreciating its well-finished rectangular case featuring alternating polishing and brushing, and its sunburst dials with contrasting matte subdials. Reviewers and owners consistently highlight the Seiko VK64 meca-quartz movement for its solid performance, instantaneous chronograph reset with good tactile feel, and quartz accuracy, all at an affordable price point. Some owners note the lack of a running second hand and that the date change is not instant, while one owner found the strap needed improvement. Overall, owners and reviewers rate the Brew Retrograph highly for its distinctive design and excellent value, particularly praising its comfortable wearability and the satisfying meca-quartz chronograph function.

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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