Side by side

Gruppo Gamma Vanguard SteelvsIslander Islander Saltaire 38mm Solar Dive Watch with Ink Black Dial #ISL-278

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

Vanguard Steel
Gruppo GammaVanguard Steel
MSRP $790
Islander Saltaire 38mm Solar Dive Watch with Ink Black Dial #ISL-278
IslanderIslander Saltaire 38mm Solar Dive Watch with Ink Black Dial #ISL-278
MSRP $395

At a glance

17 of 29 specs differ
Diameter
Vanguard Steel42mm
Islander Saltaire 38mm Solar Dive Watch with Ink Black Dial #ISL-27838mm
Power Reserve
Vanguard Steel42h
Islander Saltaire 38mm Solar Dive Watch with Ink Black Dial #ISL-278
Water Resistance
Vanguard Steel100m
Islander Saltaire 38mm Solar Dive Watch with Ink Black Dial #ISL-278200m
MSRP
Vanguard Steel$790
Islander Saltaire 38mm Solar Dive Watch with Ink Black Dial #ISL-278$395

Full specifications

Case

7 specs
Category
Diver
Diameter
42mm
38mm
Thickness
12.6mm
12.5mm
Lug-to-Lug
49.5mm
0mm
Lug Width
22mm
20mm
Finish
Brushed and polished
Water Resistance
100m
200m

Crystal & Dial

4 specs
AR Coating
Yes
Underside
Dial Color
Forged Carbon
Indices
Applied
Lume
Super-LumiNova
None

Movement

5 specs
Caliber
Miyota 9039
Miyota 2070
Type
Automatic
Quartz
Beat Rate
28,800 vph
0 vph
Power Reserve
42h
0h
Jewels
25
0

Pricing

1 specs
MSRP
$790
$395

Follow this matchup

Get a note when Gruppo Gamma Vanguard Steel vs Islander Saltaire 38mm Solar Dive Watch with Ink Black Dial #ISL-278 gets more votes, a community discussion, or a price drop. No account needed.

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.

Islander Saltaire 38mm Solar Dive Watch with Ink Black Dial #ISL-278

The Islander Saltaire 38mm Solar Dive Watch with Ink Black Dial #ISL-278 is lauded for its appealing color and 38mm size, with owners calling it a keeper. Reviewers and owners alike praise its impressive specifications for the price and good finishing. However, some owners express a desire for a date complication, and one owner found the 38mm size too small, despite preferring smaller watches. The bezel is noted to be mineral crystal, not sapphire. Overall, owners rate the Islander Saltaire 38mm Solar Dive Watch with Ink Black Dial #ISL-278 highly for its value and wearability, with the primary praise centering on its color and compact dimensions.

Keep exploring

More watches worth a look

Matched to the watches above on size, movement, style and price — microbrands first. Open any one to dig in.

Adjacent matchups

People also compared

Comparisons nearby in the catalog — alternatives to the watches above paired against the matchup.