Side by side

Gruppo Gamma Vanguard SteelvsTissot PR516

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

Vanguard Steel
Gruppo GammaVanguard Steel
MSRP $790
PR516
TissotPR516
MSRP $2,150
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.

Tissot PR516

The Tissot PR516 is widely praised for its vintage-inspired design, robust and well-finished case, and the value it offers. Owners and reviewers frequently highlight its crisp dials, heritage inspiration, and modern refinements like the Powermatic 80 movement. Some owners appreciate its size and jubilee bracelet, finding it comfortable and a good alternative to other models. However, several sources note a 14mm thickness that can feel noticeable, and the bracelet clasp is considered a weak point by one reviewer, being a folded steel design. The case design is described by some as unrefined or boring, lacking the appeal of the original 70s model, and one enthusiast finds the hands a dealbreaker. The fixed bezel on some variants is seen as a gimmick by some owners, and the orange subdial hand can be difficult to read. On balance, owners and reviewers rate the Tissot PR516 highly for its strong vintage aesthetic and robust build quality at its price point.

From video reviewers

The Valjoux automatic movement is a key strength. The price point of €2,145 is a point of contention.

At a glance

11 of 29 specs differ
Diameter
Vanguard Steel42mm
PR51641mm
Power Reserve
Vanguard Steel42h
PR51668h
Water Resistance
Vanguard Steel100m
PR516100m
MSRP
Vanguard Steel$790
PR516$2,150

Full specifications

Case

5 specs
Category
Chronograph
Diameter
42mm
41mm
Thickness
12.6mm
14.19mm
Lug-to-Lug
49.5mm
41mm
Lug Width
22mm
20mm

Crystal & Dial

3 specs
Dial Color
Forged Carbon
White
Indices
Applied
Indexes
Lume
Super-LumiNova
Super-LumiNova ®

Movement

2 specs
Caliber
Miyota 9039
Power Reserve
42h
68h

Pricing

1 specs
MSRP
$790
$2,150
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