Side by side

Gruppo Gamma Vanguard SteelvsSpinnaker Croft 42 Skeleton

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

Vanguard Steel
Gruppo GammaVanguard Steel
MSRP $790
Croft 42 Skeleton
SpinnakerCroft 42 Skeleton
MSRP $435

At a glance

10 of 29 specs differ
Diameter
Vanguard Steel42mm
Croft 42 Skeleton42mm
Power Reserve
Vanguard Steel42h
Croft 42 Skeleton40h
Water Resistance
Vanguard Steel100m
Croft 42 Skeleton100m
MSRP
Vanguard Steel$790
Croft 42 Skeleton$435

Full specifications

Case

4 specs
Category
Sport
Thickness
12.6mm
14mm
Lug-to-Lug
49.5mm
49mm
Material
Stainless Steel
316L Stainless Steel

Crystal & Dial

3 specs
AR Coating
Yes
Inner
Dial Color
Forged Carbon
Steel
Lume
Super-LumiNova
None

Movement

2 specs
Caliber
Miyota 9039
SII NH38A
Power Reserve
42h
40h

Pricing

1 specs
MSRP
$790
$435

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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.

Spinnaker Croft 42 Skeleton

Owners widely report the Spinnaker Croft 42 Skeleton offers good build quality for its price, with some finding it a decent buy on sale. Reviewers note the 42mm case provides significant wrist presence. However, opinions are split on legibility and aesthetics, with some finding it poorly executed and uninteresting while others consider it one of the more legible skeleton watches. The watch is powered by a Seiko NH70 automatic movement with a 41-hour power reserve, though one reviewer considered the movement uninteresting. The bracelet and clasp are considered mediocre for the price point. Overall, owners and reviewers find the Spinnaker Croft 42 Skeleton to be a polarizing but potentially good value skeletonized dive watch when purchased on sale, with its build quality being a key positive for many.

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