Side by side

Gruppo Gamma Vanguard SteelvsGlycine Combat Sub Box Ceramic

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

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 Combat Sub Box Ceramic

Owners widely praise the Glycine Combat Sub Box Ceramic for its exceptional thinness at 10.4mm for a 42mm diver, perfect proportions for small wrists, and unique, non-homage aesthetic, with some considering it the best dive watch under $400 due to its superior finishing and value. The case shape, dimensions, and drilled lugs are also highlighted as positives, and the dial is legible with good lume on the hands. However, reviewers and owners consistently flag sub-par lume on the markers that fades quickly, and an inconsistent power reserve. Some owners report the stock strap or bracelet is subpar, and one owner experienced the bezel detaching after a light bump, questioning build quality. Accuracy figures vary, with one owner noting it runs about 2.5 seconds fast per day, while another reports an inconsistent power reserve. On balance, owners rate the Glycine Combat Sub Box Ceramic highly for its thinness, unique design, and value, despite concerns about lume and strap quality.

At a glance

20 of 29 specs differ
Diameter
Vanguard Steel42mm
Combat Sub Box Ceramic41mm
Power Reserve
Vanguard Steel42h
Combat Sub Box Ceramic38h
Water Resistance
Vanguard Steel100m
Combat Sub Box Ceramic200m
MSRP
Vanguard Steel$790
Combat Sub Box Ceramic$1,800

Full specifications

Case

9 specs
Category
Diver
Diameter
42mm
41mm
Thickness
12.6mm
12.75mm
Lug-to-Lug
49.5mm
Lug Width
22mm
20mm
Material
Stainless Steel
Ceramic
Finish
Water Resistance
100m
200m
Caseback

Crystal & Dial

5 specs
Crystal Shape
AR Coating
Yes
Dial Color
Forged Carbon
Grey
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
$1,800
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