Side by side

Gruppo Gamma Vanguard SteelvsVaer DS2 Meridian Quartz

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

Vanguard Steel
Gruppo GammaVanguard Steel
MSRP $790
DS2 Meridian Quartz
VaerDS2 Meridian Quartz
MSRP $239

At a glance

14 of 29 specs differ
Diameter
Vanguard Steel42mm
DS2 Meridian Quartz39mm
Power Reserve
Vanguard Steel42h
DS2 Meridian Quartz40h
Water Resistance
Vanguard Steel100m
DS2 Meridian Quartz150m
MSRP
Vanguard Steel$790
DS2 Meridian Quartz$239

Full specifications

Case

7 specs
Category
Diver
Diameter
42mm
39mm
Thickness
12.6mm
10.4mm
Lug-to-Lug
49.5mm
46mm
Lug Width
22mm
20mm
Material
Stainless Steel
316L Stainless Steel
Water Resistance
100m
150m

Crystal & Dial

3 specs
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
$239

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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 DS2 Meridian Quartz

The Vaer DS2 Meridian Quartz is lauded for its wearability, with reviewers and owners consistently praising its 39mm case size as a perfect fit, noting its thinness at 10.4mm. The watch features a satisfying 120-click coin-edge bezel with minimal back play and comes with two straps for $239, powered by a Miyota GM12 quartz movement offering a three-year battery life. On balance, owners and reviewers rate the Vaer DS2 Meridian Quartz highly for its comfortable wearability and accessible price point.

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