Side by side

Gruppo Gamma Vanguard SteelvsVaer C5 Recon Field Solar

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

Vanguard Steel
Gruppo GammaVanguard Steel
MSRP $790
C5 Recon Field Solar
VaerC5 Recon Field Solar
MSRP $329

At a glance

14 of 29 specs differ
Diameter
Vanguard Steel42mm
C5 Recon Field Solar40mm
Power Reserve
Vanguard Steel42h
C5 Recon Field Solar40h
Water Resistance
Vanguard Steel100m
C5 Recon Field Solar100m
MSRP
Vanguard Steel$790
C5 Recon Field Solar$329

Full specifications

Case

6 specs
Category
Field
Diameter
42mm
40mm
Thickness
12.6mm
10.4mm
Lug-to-Lug
49.5mm
48mm
Lug Width
22mm
20mm
Material
Stainless Steel
316L Stainless Steel

Crystal & Dial

4 specs
Crystal
Sapphire
Domed Sapphire
AR Coating
Yes
Inner
Dial Color
Forged Carbon
Black
Lume
Super-LumiNova
None

Movement

3 specs
Caliber
Miyota 9039
Type
Automatic
Quartz
Power Reserve
42h
40h

Pricing

1 specs
MSRP
$790
$329

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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.

Vaer C5 Recon Field Solar

Owners widely praise the Vaer C5 Recon Field Solar for its robust build, bright C3 SuperLuminova lume, and solar charging capabilities, with one owner preferring its greater water resistance. Some owners report issues with hand alignment and second hand accuracy, though Vaer's customer service is noted for responsiveness with exchanges or refunds. One owner mentioned spring bar holes being close to the edge, a point of QC discussion. On balance, owners appreciate the Vaer C5 Recon Field Solar for its solar charging and robust build, despite occasional reports of minor alignment issues.

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