Side by side

Gruppo Gamma Vanguard SteelvsLongines SPIRIT PILOT

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

Vanguard Steel
Gruppo GammaVanguard Steel
MSRP $790
SPIRIT PILOT
LonginesSPIRIT PILOT
MSRP $3,100

At a glance

19 of 29 specs differ
Diameter
Vanguard Steel42mm
SPIRIT PILOT39mm
Power Reserve
Vanguard Steel42h
SPIRIT PILOT72h
Water Resistance
Vanguard Steel100m
SPIRIT PILOT100m
MSRP
Vanguard Steel$790
SPIRIT PILOT$3,100

Full specifications

Case

7 specs
Category
Pilot
Diameter
42mm
39mm
Thickness
12.6mm
11.5mm
Lug-to-Lug
49.5mm
47.2mm
Lug Width
22mm
20mm
Finish
Brushed and polished
Caseback
Solid
Screw-down case back

Crystal & Dial

4 specs
Crystal Shape
Flat
AR Coating
Yes
Both sides
Dial Color
Forged Carbon
Black
Indices
Applied
Applied Arabic numerals

Movement

7 specs
Caliber
Miyota 9039
L888.4
Beat Rate
28,800 vph
25,200 vph
Power Reserve
42h
72h
Jewels
25
0
Hacking
Yes
No
Hand-winding
Yes
No
Complications
None
Hours, minutes, seconds

Pricing

1 specs
MSRP
$790
$3,100

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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.

Longines SPIRIT PILOT

Owners widely praise the Longines Spirit Pilot for its exceptional finishing, featuring sharp edges and crisp transitions, and its improved wearability thanks to a reduced 39mm case size and 47.2mm lug-to-lug distance. Reviewers and owners alike highlight the clean, balanced dial with gilt-toned accents that play with light, and its excellent legibility and lume. The L888.4 automatic movement is noted for its 72-hour power reserve and COSC certification. Some owners feel the Longines Spirit Pilot wears larger than its 39mm diameter and express disappointment over the removal of the five stars from the dial, while others find its bracelet endlinks long and lament the lack of quick-release. One owner voices concern over the serviceability of exclusive movements. Overall, owners rate the Longines Spirit Pilot highly for its modern icon status and value, feeling it wears more expensively than its price point suggests.

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