Side by side

Gruppo Gamma Vanguard SteelvsSeiko 5 Sports SKX series

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

Vanguard Steel
Gruppo GammaVanguard Steel
MSRP $790
5 Sports SKX series
Seiko5 Sports SKX series
MSRP $315

At a glance

13 of 29 specs differ
Diameter
Vanguard Steel42mm
5 Sports SKX series28mm
Power Reserve
Vanguard Steel42h
5 Sports SKX series40h
Water Resistance
Vanguard Steel100m
5 Sports SKX series100m
MSRP
Vanguard Steel$790
5 Sports SKX series$315

Full specifications

Case

5 specs
Category
Sport
Diameter
42mm
28mm
Thickness
12.6mm
11.2mm
Lug-to-Lug
49.5mm
33.1mm
Lug Width
22mm
14mm

Crystal & Dial

4 specs
Crystal
Sapphire
Hardlex
AR Coating
Yes
Inner
Dial Color
Forged Carbon
Black
Lume
Super-LumiNova
LumiBrite on hands and index(es)

Movement

3 specs
Caliber
Miyota 9039
2R06
Power Reserve
42h
40h
Jewels
25
21

Pricing

1 specs
MSRP
$790
$315

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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.

Seiko 5 Sports SKX series

Owners widely praise the Seiko 5 Sports SKX series for its iconic dive watch design, robust build, and excellent value, with many appreciating its timeless styling and tool-like character. The movement, while basic, is noted as offering hacking and hand-winding capabilities, and accuracy varies, with many owners reporting +/-5 to 10 seconds per day despite the movement's potential for +/-40 seconds. Some owners find the original SKX models heavier and bulkier than newer iterations, while others critique the lack of a screw-down crown and ISO rating on the newer Seiko 5 Sports SKX series, deeming it less of a serious tool watch. Overall, owners rate the Seiko 5 Sports SKX series highly for its enduring design and value proposition as a robust, everyday watch.

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