Side by side

Gruppo Gamma Vanguard SteelvsGlycine Sea Kraken

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

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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.

Glycine Sea Kraken

The Glycine Sea Kraken is widely praised for its retro design and excellent case finishing for its price, with reviewers noting crisp dial printing and an elegant stainless steel bezel. Owners report excellent accuracy, with some seeing deviations as low as 1 second per day, though one user observed up to a 6-second loss during high activity. The 39mm size is generally considered comfortable, though its 48mm lug-to-lug measurement may be an issue for smaller wrists. The bezel action is consistently flagged as strong with no back-play. The included leather strap is frequently criticized as unsuitable for a diver and often replaced. On balance, owners and reviewers rate the Glycine Sea Kraken highly for its vintage aesthetic and strong value proposition, particularly given its adjusted Sellita SW200 movement and limited edition status.

From video reviewers

The Glycine Sea Kraken's value at its price point is a significant strength. Reviewers did not reach a consensus on any weaknesses.

At a glance

18 of 29 specs differ
Diameter
Vanguard Steel42mm
Sea Kraken39mm
Power Reserve
Vanguard Steel42h
Sea Kraken38h
Water Resistance
Vanguard Steel100m
Sea Kraken150m
MSRP
Vanguard Steel$790
Sea Kraken$1,600

Full specifications

Case

7 specs
Category
Diver
Diameter
42mm
39mm
Thickness
12.6mm
12.7mm
Lug-to-Lug
49.5mm
Finish
Water Resistance
100m
150m
Caseback

Crystal & Dial

5 specs
Crystal Shape
AR Coating
Yes
Dial Color
Forged Carbon
White
Indices
Lume
Super-LumiNova
Luminous

Movement

5 specs
Caliber
Miyota 9039
Sellita SW200-1
Beat Rate
0 vph
28,800 vph
Power Reserve
42h
38h
Jewels
0
26
Complications
None
Date

Pricing

1 specs
MSRP
$790
$1,600
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