How much worse is 5212a vs 5226g

[John Doyle]

Movement wise - 5212 has a quirky, unique complication not replicated within the catalogue.
Dial wise, 5212 is so much nicer with this handwritten font (albeit only the font not the actual text on the dial) on opaline color dial. The 5226 dial looks like gym equipment material to me.
5212 is in steel - not many man watches are in steel in the catalogue, which adds to the exclusivity. I would have preferred 5226 to be in steel if it's supposed to be more of a casual watch.
I also own the 5235, which has the same lugs shape as the 5226 albeit different construction method - so it depends on what other watches you have in the collection.
Love double and triple stepped lugs as well.
All in all i much prefer the 5212, which is also a strap monster.