Side by side

Gruppo Gamma Vanguard SteelvsFortis Novonaut N-42

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

Vanguard Steel
Gruppo GammaVanguard Steel
MSRP $790
Novonaut N-42
FortisNovonaut N-42
MSRP $5,230

At a glance

13 of 29 specs differ
Diameter
Vanguard Steel42mm
Novonaut N-4242mm
Power Reserve
Vanguard Steel42h
Novonaut N-4260h
Water Resistance
Vanguard Steel100m
Novonaut N-42300m
MSRP
Vanguard Steel$790
Novonaut N-42$5,230

Full specifications

Case

6 specs
Category
Chronograph
Thickness
12.6mm
14.6mm
Lug-to-Lug
49.5mm
Lug Width
22mm
21mm
Material
Stainless Steel
Titanium / Stainless Steel
Water Resistance
100m
300m

Crystal & Dial

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

Movement

3 specs
Caliber
Miyota 9039
Manufacture Caliber WERK 17
Power Reserve
42h
60h
Jewels
25
36

Pricing

1 specs
MSRP
$790
$5,230

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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 Novonaut N-42

Owners widely praise the Fortis B-42 Official Cosmonauts for its stunning fit and finish, excellent legibility, and a precise, grippy bezel, with one owner calling its bracelet the nicest they've ever owned. The Fortis Novonaut N-42 is described as a flawless beast with a WERK 17 column-wheel chronograph movement, featuring enhanced shock resistance and COSC adjustment, and is noted as a handsome tool watch with a beautiful dial and nice pusher action. However, the 42mm case of the B-42 wears larger than expected, and the Novonaut's 44mm case and chunky bracelet make it too large and heavy for many. The Fortis Titanium Legacy is a modern pilot's watch with a titanium case and bracelet, featuring a Kenissi WERK 13 movement with a 70-hour power reserve and three time zones. Overall, owners and reviewers highly regard the Fortis Titanium Legacy for its robust tool watch design and advanced movement technology, despite some concerns about case size and bracelet adjustability.

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