Side by side

Gruppo Gamma Vanguard SteelvsChristopher Ward Twelve X Black Shadow

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

Vanguard Steel
Gruppo GammaVanguard Steel
MSRP $790
Twelve X Black Shadow
Christopher WardTwelve X Black Shadow
MSRP $5,715

At a glance

14 of 29 specs differ
Diameter
Vanguard Steel42mm
Twelve X Black Shadow44.5mm
Power Reserve
Vanguard Steel42h
Twelve X Black Shadow120h
Water Resistance
Vanguard Steel100m
Twelve X Black Shadow100m
MSRP
Vanguard Steel$790
Twelve X Black Shadow$5,715

Full specifications

Case

6 specs
Category
Skeleton
Diameter
42mm
44.5mm
Thickness
12.6mm
12.3mm
Lug-to-Lug
49.5mm
44.5mm
Lug Width
22mm
25mm
Finish
Brushed and polished
Brushed + Polished + Sandblasted

Crystal & Dial

2 specs
AR Coating
Yes
Inner
Dial Color
Forged Carbon
Black

Movement

5 specs
Caliber
Miyota 9039
CW-001
Beat Rate
28,800 vph
4 vph
Power Reserve
42h
120h
Jewels
25
31
Complications
None
Moonphase

Pricing

1 specs
MSRP
$790
$5,715

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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.

Christopher Ward Twelve X Black Shadow

Owners and reviewers widely praise the Christopher Ward Twelve X Black Shadow for its exceptional titanium finishing, dynamic case design, and skeletonized COSC-certified SH21 movement with a 120-hour power reserve. Some owners note sharp edges on bracelet links and unfinished interior clasp surfaces, while reviewers mention legibility issues common to skeletonized watches and a thickness of 12.3mm making it feel chunkier than other models. On balance, owners and reviewers rate the Christopher Ward Twelve X Black Shadow highly for its impressive in-house movement and titanium finishing at its price point.

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