Side by side

Gruppo Gamma Vanguard SteelvsZelos Skyraider 2

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

Vanguard Steel
Gruppo GammaVanguard Steel
MSRP $790
Skyraider 2
ZelosSkyraider 2
MSRP $2,399
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.

Zelos Skyraider 2

The Zelos Skyraider 2 is praised for its value, particularly offering unique dial materials like meteorite at a fraction of luxury prices, and its bronze case is noted for a warm glow. Reviewers and owners highlight the Flieger-inspired design and the use of a manual-wind ETA 6498 movement, with BGW9 and C3 Super-LumiNova lume. Some owners find the skeletonized variant ideal for style over everyday legibility, while others note the brand's past designs have sometimes been hard to read or bulky. The Zelos Skyraider 2 is available in various materials and dial options, with prices ranging from $699 to $1,399. On balance, owners and reviewers rate the Zelos Skyraider 2 highly for its distinctive materials and design at a competitive price point.

At a glance

12 of 29 specs differ
Diameter
Vanguard Steel42mm
Skyraider 242mm
Power Reserve
Vanguard Steel42h
Skyraider 240h
Water Resistance
Vanguard Steel100m
Skyraider 250m
MSRP
Vanguard Steel$790
Skyraider 2$2,399

Full specifications

Case

5 specs
Category
Skeleton
Thickness
12.6mm
10.5mm
Lug-to-Lug
49.5mm
48.5mm
Material
Stainless Steel
Mokume Gane
Water Resistance
100m
50m

Crystal & Dial

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

Movement

3 specs
Caliber
Miyota 9039
ETA 6498-1 Élaboré
Type
Automatic
Manual
Power Reserve
42h
40h

Pricing

1 specs
MSRP
$790
$2,399
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