Side by side

Gruppo Gamma Vanguard SteelvsFormex Stratos UTC

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

Vanguard Steel
Gruppo GammaVanguard Steel
MSRP $790
Stratos UTC
FormexStratos UTC
MSRP $4,663

At a glance

10 of 29 specs differ
Diameter
Vanguard Steel42mm
Stratos UTC41mm
Power Reserve
Vanguard Steel42h
Stratos UTC42h
Water Resistance
Vanguard Steel100m
Stratos UTC100m
MSRP
Vanguard Steel$790
Stratos UTC$4,663

Full specifications

Case

5 specs
Category
GMT
Diameter
42mm
41mm
Thickness
12.6mm
11.8mm
Lug-to-Lug
49.5mm
47mm
Lug Width
22mm
20mm

Crystal & Dial

2 specs
AR Coating
Yes
Inner
Dial Color
Forged Carbon
Blue

Movement

2 specs
Caliber
Miyota 9039
ETA 2892
Power Reserve
42h
42h

Pricing

1 specs
MSRP
$790
$4,663

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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.

Formex Stratos UTC

Owners and reviewers widely praise the Formex Stratos UTC for its user-friendly flyer GMT complication, which utilizes pushers for time-zone adjustments, and its slim 11.8mm case. The watch is noted for its intricate, hand-finished case with a multi-layer construction and excellent finishing, along with a unique two-level case design. The Dubois-Depraz module on an ETA 2892 movement is a highlight, with accuracy figures ranging from +/- 5 to +/- 7 seconds per day. However, some find the dial busy with multiple typefaces and the overall design too complex or "plug ugly," with the price near €4000 considered high by some for a newer brand. Overall, owners and reviewers rate the Formex Stratos UTC highly for its innovative GMT functionality and excellent case finishing at its price point.

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