Side by side

Gruppo Gamma Vanguard SteelvsFortis Flieger F-39

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

Vanguard Steel
Gruppo GammaVanguard Steel
MSRP $790
Flieger F-39
FortisFlieger F-39
MSRP $2,530

At a glance

13 of 29 specs differ
Diameter
Vanguard Steel42mm
Flieger F-3939mm
Power Reserve
Vanguard Steel42h
Flieger F-3938h
Water Resistance
Vanguard Steel100m
Flieger F-39200m
MSRP
Vanguard Steel$790
Flieger F-39$2,530

Full specifications

Case

6 specs
Category
Pilot
Diameter
42mm
39mm
Thickness
12.6mm
11.5mm
Lug-to-Lug
49.5mm
46mm
Lug Width
22mm
20mm
Water Resistance
100m
200m

Crystal & Dial

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

Movement

3 specs
Caliber
Miyota 9039
Sellita SW200-1
Power Reserve
42h
38h
Jewels
25
26

Pricing

1 specs
MSRP
$790
$2,530

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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.

Fortis Flieger F-39

Owners and reviewers widely praise the Fortis Flieger F-39 for its robust build quality, excellent finishing often compared favorably to more expensive watches, and legible utilitarian dial with distinctive color accents. The watch is noted for its precise bidirectional bezel action, excellent lume, and comfortable wearability, with one owner reporting accuracy of 1 second fast per day. Some reviewers flag the 39mm case as wearing large due to its lug-to-lug distance, and the 38-hour power reserve of the Sellita SW 200-1 based UW-30 movement is cited as a limitation, though newer versions feature a 70-hour power reserve. Overall, owners and reviewers highly regard the Fortis Flieger F-39 for its tool watch aesthetic and impressive machining and build quality at its price point.

From video reviewers

The 200m water resistance is a notable strength. Reviewers did not reach a consensus on any weaknesses.

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