Side by side

Gruppo Gamma Vanguard SteelvsSeiko Prospex Sea 1965 Heritage Diver's Watch PADI Special Edition

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.

Seiko Prospex Sea 1965 Heritage Diver's Watch PADI Special Edition

The Seiko Prospex Sea 1965 Heritage Diver's Watch PADI Special Edition is praised for its attractive emerald green sunburst dial with gold accents and its comfortable wearability. Owners note the dial looks gorgeous in the right light, and some find it fits better than other models. The watch features a 40mm steel case, a domed sapphire crystal, and 300m water resistance, powered by the 6R55 movement with a 72-hour power reserve. However, some find the watch wears top-heavy due to its density and case design, and the bracelet clasp is criticized for stamped parts and limited micro-adjustment. The retail price of €1,700 is considered high by some, with sales recommended. Overall, owners and reviewers appreciate the dial's beauty and the watch's comfortable fit, despite some reservations about its weight distribution and bracelet clasp.

At a glance

14 of 29 specs differ
Diameter
Vanguard Steel42mm
Prospex Sea 1965 Heritage Diver's Watch PADI Special Edition40mm
Power Reserve
Vanguard Steel42h
Prospex Sea 1965 Heritage Diver's Watch PADI Special Edition72h
Water Resistance
Vanguard Steel100m
Prospex Sea 1965 Heritage Diver's Watch PADI Special Edition300m
MSRP
Vanguard Steel$790
Prospex Sea 1965 Heritage Diver's Watch PADI Special Edition$1,550

Full specifications

Case

6 specs
Category
Diver
Diameter
42mm
40mm
Thickness
12.6mm
13mm
Lug-to-Lug
49.5mm
46.4mm
Lug Width
22mm
20mm
Water Resistance
100m
300m

Crystal & Dial

4 specs
Crystal Shape
Flat
Curved
AR Coating
Yes
Anti-reflective coating on inner surface
Dial Color
Forged Carbon
Black
Lume
Super-LumiNova
LumiBrite on hands, index(es) and bezel

Movement

3 specs
Caliber
Miyota 9039
6R55
Power Reserve
42h
72h
Jewels
25
24

Pricing

1 specs
MSRP
$790
$1,550
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