Glycine is a brand well known for its military-themed and aviation watches. It has 5 collections introduced in various time periods: Airman (1953), Combat (1967), KMU 48 (1999), F 104 (2002), and Incursore (2011). These timepieces are designed for men and backed by a 2-year warranty.
This Glycine watches review describes the top 10 most prominent items. More than 30 hours have been spent to review its collections and select the best pieces for your consideration. This post is for all pilot- and diver-inspired watch fans, who want to know if this brand is any good.
Best Glycine Watches
Review | Name | Type | Features |
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Combat Sub GL0076 View Details | Automatic | Stainless steel body 42 mm round analog display Unidirectional bezel Arabic numerals Waterproof – 660 ft Sapphire crystal window Luminous hands and indexes 22 mm stainless steel strap Date indication |
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Airman GL0064 View Details | Automatic | Stainless steel body 42 mm round analog display Bidirectional bezel Arabic numerals Waterproof – 330 ft Sapphire crystal window Luminous hands and indexes 22 mm stainless steel strap Date indication 3 time zones |
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Combat Sub GL0087 View Details | Automatic | Stainless steel body 42 mm round analog display Unidirectional bezel Arabic numerals Waterproof – 660 ft Sapphire crystal window Luminous hands and indexes 22 mm silicone band Date indication |
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Incursore (3874.999-LB) View Details | Automatic | Stainless steel body 46 mm round analog display Fixed bezel Arabic numerals Waterproof – 660 ft Sapphire crystal window Luminous hands and indexes 22 mm leather band Date indication |
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Combat 6 Classic GL0102 View Details | Automatic | Stainless steel body 43 mm round analog display Fixed bezel Arabic numerals Waterproof – 165 ft Sapphire crystal window Luminous hands and indexes 22 mm stainless steel strap Date indication |
Combat Sub GL0076 Black Dial Men’s Watch
The Combat Sub is a robust watch for divers with outstanding resistance to water – 660 ft. Both the stainless steel case and Swiss-made movement guarantee the watch’s durability.
The timepiece includes a matte black 42 mm dial and 3 gray hands with yellow accents. Along with Arabic numerals, they are luminous and visible at night hours. The gray rotating bezel allows users to keep track of time underwater.
The watch comes with a date calendar. The integrated 22 mm stainless steel bracelet includes a buckle with a double security clasp. It is very comfortable and sits like a glove.
- The lume is bright
- An accurate Swiss movement
- A solid power reserve
- An antireflective coating of the dial cover
- A durable construction
- The black dial looks grayish
Airman GL0064 Blue Dial Men’s Watch
This model was originally designed for and used by pilots. Thanks to its unique functions and recognizable design, the watch has found a larger audience. Its dial has numbers all the way through 24 hours with the intervals of 2, and its 12th numeral is located at 6 o’clock.
The blue dial features 4 silver luminous hands and hour markers as well as a date window. The Airman is covered by a sapphire crystal and has a transparent back case to check out the inner workings.
The timepiece is made of stainless steel – both a 42 mm body and a 22 mm bracelet. It is also able to display the 2nd and the 3rd time zones. The rotating bezel exhibits the 3rd one.
- Reserves power up to 42 hours
- Luminescent hour markers and hands
- A remarkable design
- Indicates 3 time zones
- Resistance to water – 330 ft
- Expensive
Combat Sub GL0087 (42mm) Men’s Watch
With its immense water resistance and diver’s bezel, this model is a staple selling product of Glycine.
The watch features a 42 mm case of stainless steel and a black rotating bezel. Its black dial includes 3 silver-tone hands and hour markers that are luminous and produce light green emission at night. At 3 o’clock, there is a window with the date indication.
The display is fitted with a flat sapphire crystal that is difficult to scratch.
The timepiece is equipped with a 22 mm black silicone strap with a tang clasp.
- A harmonious design
- A self-winding Swiss movement
- A 660 ft water resistance rating
- The Super-LumiNova coating is helpful in dark hours
- Very slim and slides easily under a shirt sleeve
- Under a rubber band, the wrist gets sweaty
Incursore 3874.999-LB Automatic Watch
This Incursore timepiece is also performed in a black theme: a housing, hands, a matte dial, and hour markers. Thanks to extra-large numerals at the cardinal hours (3, 6, 9, and 12), the face is easy to read at a glance.
The watch has a 46 mm stainless steel case crafted with a sandblasted PVD coating. The piece has a sapphire crystal display protection. Another identifying feature is the date indication at 4 o’clock. The back case exhibits the automatic movement at work.
The watch includes a 22 mm black leather strap with white stitching and is equipped with a buckle clasp.
- Striking resistance to water – 660 ft
- A reasonable price for a Swiss movement
- The see-through back case is beautiful
- The band is very comfortable, but it can also be interchanged
- Requires no winding
- The lume on the hands and hour markers is very weak
Combat 6 Classic GL0102 Blue Dial Watch
This modern dress timepiece is backed by 100 years of watchmaking experience. The watch is made of solid stainless steel including a 43 mm case and a 5-link bracelet. Its pleasing blue dial features silver-tone hands and hour indexes, which emanate green light in the darkness.
The display includes a date opening and is covered by a durable sapphire crystal. Its backside is protected by a transparent mineral glass and exhibits the working mechanism. The 22 mm bracelet comes with a folding clasp buckle.
- The luminescent cover makes the watch dial visible at night
- A long-lasting construction
- The rating of water resistance is 165 ft
- Thin enough to fit under a shirt cuff
- The Swiss-made movement is self-winding
- Rather costly
Combat 6 Vintage GL0122 Automatic Watch
The Combat collection from Glycine includes 3 watch lines: Sub, Classic, and Classic Vintage. As the name suggests, the timepiece under discussion belongs to the third series.
The watch features a stainless steel housing and is designed in an elegant style. It comes with a matte black 43 mm dial, which is highly legible, and 3 white hands. The Arabic indexes and hands are painted with Super-LumiNova. They are visible in dark conditions and turn into warm green.
The watch is domed with a sapphire crystal and has a standard crown with a stamped logo. There is a date opening at 3 o’clock. The 22 mm nylon strap includes a belt buckle.
- Perfect proportions
- The dial is easy to read
- The sapphire crystal cover is coated with 3 antireflective layers
- Waterproof – 165 ft
- Reserves power up to 38 hours
- The low-dome style of the watch can be a disappointment for wearers who like the high-dome dial protection
- The strap is stiff and not comfortable
Combat Sub GL0090 Automatic Watch
This model from the Combat Sub collection has an awesome color variation. It features a 42 mm stainless steel case with a brown rotating bezel and a black display housed under a sapphire crystal. The analog display has luminous silver-tone hour markers and hands that glow green at night. The window with the date indication is in the 3 o’clock position. The impressive crown adds the timepiece a solid look.
The watch couples with a 22 mm mesh bracelet made of stainless steel and equipped with a belt buckle.
- The large numerals make the watch easy to read
- No matter the conditions, the lumed hands are always visible
- An awesome structure of the bracelet
- Resistance to water – 660 ft
- A sturdy steel design
- Rather heavy
Airman GL0166 Bronze Case Watch
This is one of the most eye-catching models in the Airman collection. The watch features a 44 mm bronze casing that tends to develop a unique patina over time. The brown dial sports 24 hour markers, a date window, and lumed hands.
The timepiece displays 3 time zones, with the 3rd zone shown on the bidirectional turning bezel. The sapphire crystal protects the movement, while its back case is covered by a see-through mineral glass.
The watch goes well with a coffee brown calf leather strap, which is 22 mm wide.
- Reserves power up to 42 hours
- Resistance to water – 330 ft
- The changing patina looks awesome
- The bracelet is very soft and comfortable to wear
- A nice combination of colors
- Expensive
- The lume is not very bright
Airman GL0170 Stainless Steel Black PVD Coated Watch
This incredible automatic watch is performed completely in black and designed for larger wrists. It features a 46 mm stainless steel housing crafted with a black satin bezel, which rotates and displays the 3rd time zone. The timepiece has a window that indicates the current date and is capable to show time in 3 time zones.
The black matte dial comes with 4 black hands (one for GMT time) and gray hour indexes that are luminous. The sapphire crystal shields the watch face, and the transparent mineral glass protects its back case.
Its 24 mm carbon style leather strap is embossed and equipped with a belt buckle.
- Water resistance up to 330 ft
- Thanks to a luminous coating, the watch is readable in the dark
- A stylish design
- Multifunctional
- The inner mechanism is visible
- Expensive
- Not suitable for small wrists
Combat 6 Classic GL0116 (Moonphase) Black Watch
With all the other features that are characteristic for the Combat Classic collection, the moonphase entry is a hallmark of this model. The watch includes a 40 mm case made of stainless steel with a black dial. Its silver-colored hands and numerals are covered with a luminescent coating.
The date indication is a bonus function. The sapphire crystal screens the watch face, while the transparent mineral glass of the back case displays the Swiss movement inside.
The timepiece integrates a black 22 mm leather strap, which is embossed.
- Waterproof to 165 ft
- The movement is very accurate
- Available in various colors of the dial
- Can be worn formally or casually
- Nice moonphase integration
- Rather pricey
- The band is tough out of the box
- For smaller wrists
FAQ
Have a look at some typical questions asked by potential buyers of these watches. You may find the answers helpful for you, too.
Who Owns Glycine Watches ⌚?
In 1914, Glycine was founded by a Swiss watchmaker and manufactured movements for ladies’ watches. In the 1930s, the company launched the production of its own self-winding timepieces.
In 2016, it joined the Invicta Watch Group. This buyout was a surprise for most watch experts. Glycine reported that it would not abandon its iconic Airman and Combat lines. The new owner has the intention not to influence the core of the brand and not to mix the collections of both companies.
Why Are These Watches So Cheap?
An important part of the company’s philosophy is to offer top-notch value ? at reasonable prices. Glycine has an active and growing network of agencies around the world that allows the company to increase the watch production and maintain the product quality.
To keep the cost of its watches at an affordable level, Glycine charges its clients transportation costs and an evaluation fee to service their timepieces.
Where to Buy Glycine Watches?
The watches are available for sale from the original Glycine website. You can also purchase them from other online ? retailers like Amazon and eBay. As mentioned, the company cooperates with multiple agencies that sell its watches worldwide.
The merger with the Invicta brand will push the marketing and promote the distribution of the Glycine products in the USA and South America.
Conclusion
Glycine has a reputation of a reliable company with an outstanding heritage. In Swiss watchmaking, this respected name couples with high-quality watches of a remarkable design, Swiss movement, and excellent after-sale service. Regarding the fact that these timepieces come with an acceptable price tag, buying a Glycine watch is a win-win variant. Due to their recognizable and eye-catching dials, men always get numerous compliments.
The only downside is that Glycine has only 3 authorized service centers: in the USA (Utah), the Netherlands, and Hong Kong. If you are buying its watch from other countries, you will need to send it for repairs (if any) with the international mail.
References
- Glycine Official Website – https://glycine-watch.ch/
- Glycine Watch – https://en.wikipedia.org/
- Under Invicta, Glycine Promises to Focus on Airman and Combat Lines – https://wornandwound.com/