About Glycine Watches

About Glycine Watches | Swiss Watchmaking, Airman GMT, Combat SUB & Aviation Heritage

Few independent-minded Swiss watch names combine genuine aviation history, mechanical watchmaking and specialist tool-watch design quite like Glycine Watches. Founded in 1914 in Biel/Bienne, Switzerland, by Eugène Meylan, Glycine has built more than a century of watchmaking heritage around practical engineering, distinctive Swiss design and watches created to perform beyond the conventional dress-watch environment. The company first developed expertise in miniature movements before expanding into men's watches and increasingly ambitious mechanical innovations. Today, Glycine is best known internationally for its historic Airman pilot watches, automatic GMT watches, Combat SUB dive watches, military-inspired sports watches and versatile Swiss automatic timepieces.

For enthusiasts searching for Glycine watches, Glycine watches UK, Glycine Airman watches, Glycine Combat SUB watches, Swiss automatic watches, GMT watches, pilot watches, aviation watches, dive watches and mechanical watches, the collection represents a particularly interesting area of modern Swiss watchmaking. Glycine combines historic model families with contemporary specifications including Swiss automatic movements, sapphire crystals, rotating bezels, multiple-time-zone displays and substantial water resistance. Rather than relying simply on its age, the brand continues to develop watches around the functional principles that established its reputation: clarity, reliability, mechanical interest and purposeful design.

As an Official UK Authorised Retailer of Glycine Watches, Clarindon Jewellers offers genuine Glycine timepieces with authorised manufacturer support, official warranty coverage, free UK delivery and available 0% finance options.

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The History of Glycine Watches

Glycine's story begins in 1914, when Eugène Meylan founded the company in Biel/Bienne, one of Switzerland's most important watchmaking centres. Meylan was an inventive watchmaker whose approach extended beyond simply assembling traditional wristwatches. During Glycine's early years, the company became known for producing small mechanical movements used in refined watches, including pieces housed in precious-metal cases for women.

As wristwatches became increasingly important during the first half of the twentieth century, Glycine expanded its focus. The company moved into men's watchmaking and developed a growing international reputation, particularly in Britain and the United States. This period helped establish the technical foundation from which later Glycine watches would emerge.

Mechanical innovation also played a significant role in Glycine's development. In 1931, Meylan patented the EMSA automatic winding system, an engineering solution created to transform a conventional hand-wound movement into an automatically winding watch. The achievement demonstrated that Glycine's interest in horology extended beyond external design into the mechanics responsible for powering the watch itself.

Yet the defining chapter of Glycine history arrived in the post-war aviation era. In 1953, the company introduced a watch that would ultimately become inseparable from its identity: the Glycine Airman.

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The Glycine Airman and the Birth of an Aviation Icon

The Glycine Airman was introduced in 1953 and became one of the most historically significant watches in the company's catalogue. Glycine's own history records that the Airman was developed following a request involving British pilot and commander Chat Brown, with the resulting watch created around the practical requirements of international aviation.

Long-distance pilots needed to understand time differently from most conventional watch wearers. Crossing borders and time zones created a practical requirement for keeping track of both local time and a reference time. The Airman approached this challenge with a distinctive 24-hour format and rotating bezel, establishing a design language that would influence generations of Glycine aviation watches.

The Airman's identity therefore comes from function rather than merely styling. Its unusual displays, additional time-zone capability and aviation-focused case architecture were originally conceived around real-world use. That authenticity remains one of the strongest reasons collectors continue to value the Airman decades after its introduction.

Modern Glycine Airman models continue that philosophy through a variety of configurations, including automatic GMT watches, dual-time watches and traditional 24-hour Purist designs. Contemporary references allow enthusiasts to experience the distinctive character of the original Airman while benefiting from current materials and Swiss movement technology.

Glycine Airman Watches

Within the modern Glycine range, Airman watches remain the clearest expression of the manufacturer's aviation heritage. The collection encompasses watches with different case sizes, movement configurations and interpretations of the original Airman concept, creating significant choice for collectors searching for a historically credible Swiss pilot watch.

Current automatic Airman models can use Glycine's Swiss automatic GL293 calibre and include GMT functionality capable of displaying multiple time zones. Other versions retain the distinctive 24-hour format associated with the earliest watches. Modern Airman references are generally built around highly legible dials, prominent numerals or markers, sapphire crystals and the characteristic external bezel that gives the collection its instantly recognisable appearance.

The resulting watch is particularly relevant to enthusiasts searching for Glycine Airman watches, Glycine Airman GMT watches, Swiss GMT watches, automatic GMT watches, pilot watches, aviation watches, travel watches and vintage-inspired Swiss watches.

Rather than functioning as another generic aviation-themed watch, the Airman carries a direct relationship with one of the most important periods in twentieth-century commercial and military aviation. That gives the collection historical credibility that is difficult to reproduce retrospectively.

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Glycine Airman Purist Watches

One of the most distinctive versions of the Airman concept is the Airman Purist. Instead of adopting a conventional twelve-hour display with an additional GMT hand, Purist models preserve the original concept of a central hour hand completing one full rotation every 24 hours.

This creates a noticeably different relationship with time. The wearer reads the primary time directly from a 24-hour dial rather than interpreting AM and PM through two separate twelve-hour cycles. For collectors fascinated by historically authentic pilot watches, the arrangement provides one of the purest ways to experience the original Airman philosophy.

The external rotating bezel can then be used as an additional reference, giving the watch genuine multi-time-zone usefulness while maintaining the unconventional dial layout that has defined the Airman since the 1950s.

Collectors comparing conventional GMT watches with an Airman Purist should therefore understand that the two provide different experiences. A conventional GMT is immediately familiar, while a Purist offers something much closer to Glycine's historic aviation concept.

Glycine Airman GMT Watches

For frequent travellers and enthusiasts who prefer a more familiar display, Glycine Airman GMT watches combine the collection's aviation identity with an additional hand for reading another time zone.

This format provides an intuitive way to monitor home time while travelling, coordinate international communication or simply enjoy one of mechanical watchmaking's most useful complications. Depending upon the reference, the rotating bezel can further expand the watch's ability to reference additional time zones.

The combination of genuine aviation heritage and practical GMT functionality has made the Airman especially relevant to buyers researching Swiss GMT watches, automatic GMT watches, travel watches, pilot GMT watches and mechanical watches for international travel.

The Glycine Airman in Space

The Airman's history extends beyond commercial and military aviation. In 1965, NASA astronaut Charles “Pete” Conrad wore a Glycine Airman during the Gemini 5 mission.

Conrad had developed an appreciation for the Airman during his career as a test pilot. When Gemini 5 launched, the watch travelled with him into space alongside mission commander Gordon Cooper. Glycine records that Conrad returned to Earth with the Airman still attached to his spacesuit following recovery by the USS Lake Champlain on 29 August 1965.

This episode gives Glycine an unusual position within the broader story of watches connected with space exploration. While the Airman was fundamentally an aviation watch, its appearance on Gemini 5 further demonstrated the appeal of its functional multi-time-zone design to professional pilots operating at the extreme edge of aviation and aerospace.

For collectors, this is more than a marketing association created decades later. The Airman's relationship with Pete Conrad forms part of the actual historical record of the model and reinforces its status as one of Glycine's most important watches.

Glycine Airman “The Chief”

Among the most recognisable heritage-inspired Airman references is Glycine Airman “The Chief”. Current examples preserve many of the visual and functional characteristics that make vintage Airman watches so distinctive while translating them into a contemporary Swiss automatic watch.

Modern Airman The Chief references can feature approximately 40mm stainless-steel cases, sapphire crystal and the Swiss automatic GL293 GMT movement. The result provides a relatively wearable interpretation of Glycine's historic aviation design while retaining authentic multi-time-zone functionality.

For collectors drawn to vintage watches but wanting the reassurance of modern construction, an Airman The Chief offers an attractive middle ground between historical design and contemporary everyday usability.

Glycine Airman SST Watches

The Airman SST explores another important chapter of aviation history. Glycine introduced the SST concept during the late 1960s, an era shaped by intense international interest in supersonic passenger aircraft.

The watches became associated with a distinctive, futuristic interpretation of the Airman formula. Certain historical SST designs became known by enthusiasts for their striking orange elements, a visual signature that differentiated them from more conventional pilot watches.

Modern Airman SST watches revisit that period while incorporating contemporary Swiss automatic movements and practical materials. Current automatic examples can combine the GL293 movement with sapphire crystal, stainless-steel construction and substantial water resistance.

The SST therefore offers a more expressive alternative for collectors who appreciate the Airman's history but want something visually different from the traditional military-instrument aesthetic.

Glycine Combat Watches

If the Airman represents Glycine's relationship with the sky, the Glycine Combat family represents the brand's approach to rugged watches intended for use on land and underwater.

Glycine introduced the Combat collection in 1967. The range was originally developed around military and sporting applications and became the company's second major long-running collection after the Airman.

Today's Combat family encompasses several interpretations of the concept, from understated automatic everyday watches to professional-style dive watches. This breadth makes Combat particularly relevant to buyers searching for Glycine automatic watches, military watches, field watches, Swiss sports watches, automatic dive watches and everyday mechanical watches.

While designs vary considerably, the collection generally maintains the functional emphasis that characterises Glycine as a manufacturer: clear displays, robust cases, reliable Swiss movements and purposeful proportions.

Glycine Combat SUB Watches

The Glycine Combat SUB has become one of the manufacturer's best-known contemporary collections and offers an especially compelling combination of Swiss automatic watchmaking and genuine sports-watch specifications.

Modern Combat SUB references are available across several case sizes, allowing buyers to select a dive watch according to wrist size and personal preference rather than accepting one oversized format. Clarindon's current Glycine range includes Combat SUB models in approximately 36mm, 39mm and 42mm configurations, illustrating just how broad the collection has become.

Specifications vary between references, but current automatic Combat SUB watches can feature Swiss automatic GL224 movements, stainless-steel cases, sapphire crystals, screw-down crowns and 200 or 300 metres of water resistance. Certain models incorporate ceramic bezel components, while others use traditional aluminium or steel configurations.

This combination makes Combat SUB particularly attractive for customers comparing Swiss automatic dive watches, dive watches under luxury Swiss price points, sapphire crystal watches, 200m dive watches, 300m watches and everyday sports watches.

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Glycine Combat SUB 36, 39 and 42

Case sizing has become increasingly important to modern watch buyers, and one of the Combat SUB family's strengths is the range of proportions available.

A 36mm Combat SUB offers a compact interpretation of the automatic dive watch. It can suit smaller wrists, enthusiasts attracted to vintage proportions or anyone wanting professional sports-watch styling without a large case.

The 39mm Combat SUB provides a highly versatile middle ground. Current Combat SUB Sport references in this size can offer 300 metres of water resistance, Swiss automatic movements, sapphire crystals and screw-down crowns, creating substantial capability within relatively restrained dimensions.

The 42mm Combat SUB delivers a more traditional contemporary sports-watch presence while remaining notably wearable compared with many oversized dive watches. Numerous 42mm references pair the GL224 Swiss automatic movement with sapphire crystal and 200 metres of water resistance.

This diversity gives buyers significantly greater freedom to choose according to wrist fit rather than simply specification.

Glycine Combat Classic Watches

Not every Glycine Combat watch is designed for diving. The Combat Classic family explores a more refined interpretation of the collection through automatic watches intended for everyday, professional and smarter settings.

Current Combat Classic watches include conventional automatic three-hand models as well as more mechanically expressive options such as open-heart and moonphase watches. Case sizes vary, with contemporary references available around 36mm, 40mm and 43mm.

Sapphire crystals, Swiss automatic movements and exhibition case backs feature across parts of the range, allowing the wearer to appreciate the mechanical movement as well as the external design.

The Combat Classic therefore appeals to customers searching for a Swiss automatic dress watch, everyday automatic watch, moonphase watch, open-heart watch or mechanical watch while maintaining a connection to Glycine's historically functional identity.

Glycine Combat Moonphase Watches

Moonphase complications reveal another side of Glycine watchmaking. Whereas the Combat SUB concentrates on durability and underwater functionality, a Glycine Combat Classic Moonphase introduces a traditional horological display associated with more classical mechanical watches.

Current examples can use the GL280 Swiss automatic movement, pairing the moonphase complication with sapphire crystal and an exhibition case back. This produces a watch that feels more overtly mechanical and decorative while remaining recognisably connected to the wider Combat family.

For buyers who appreciate Swiss automatic watches but want something more distinctive than a conventional three-hand dial, Glycine's moonphase models provide an interesting alternative.

Glycine Open Heart Watches

The Combat Classic Open Heart offers another route into mechanical watchmaking. Rather than concealing the movement completely behind the dial, an opening reveals part of the mechanical regulating system in operation.

Contemporary Glycine Open Heart watches can combine 40mm stainless-steel cases with double-domed sapphire crystal, GL224 Swiss automatic movements and exhibition case backs. The design therefore allows mechanical movement architecture to become part of the visual identity of the watch itself.

For someone purchasing their first automatic watch, an open-heart design can be especially appealing because the movement is visible every time the wearer checks the time.

Glycine Airpilot Watches

The Glycine Airpilot collection provides a more contemporary interpretation of the aviation watch than the historically driven Airman.

While Airman watches are closely connected with Glycine's 1950s aviation heritage, Airpilot models explore modern pilot-watch styling across automatic, GMT, dual-time and chronograph configurations.

Current Airpilot references include Swiss quartz GMT watches, dual-time watches, chronographs and Swiss automatic models. Typical specifications can include stainless-steel construction, sapphire crystal and 100 metres of water resistance.

This makes Airpilot relevant to customers looking for pilot watches, aviation chronographs, GMT watches, dual-time watches and Swiss sports watches but who prefer a contemporary design language over the vintage character of an Airman.

Glycine Airpilot GMT Watches

Airpilot GMT models place practical travel functionality at the centre of a more modern aviation-inspired design.

Current examples such as the 44mm Airpilot GMT use Swiss quartz movements with dedicated second-time-zone capability, sapphire crystal, stainless-steel cases and practical water resistance. These watches provide a different proposition from automatic Airman models: straightforward Swiss precision, highly legible displays and useful GMT functionality without the additional maintenance considerations associated with a mechanical movement.

For frequent travellers who prioritise convenience and accuracy, a Glycine Airpilot GMT can therefore be an attractive alternative to an automatic GMT watch.

Glycine Airpilot Chronograph Watches

Chronograph models extend the Airpilot collection into elapsed-time functionality. The additional subdials and chronograph pushers create a more technical aviation aesthetic while providing practical timing capability.

Contemporary Glycine Airpilot Chronographs can combine Swiss quartz chronograph movements with 44mm stainless-steel cases, sapphire crystal and 100 metres of water resistance.

For customers comparing Swiss chronograph watches, pilot chronographs, aviation watches and men's sports watches, Airpilot Chronograph provides an accessible route into Glycine's modern aviation range.

Glycine Bienne 1914 Watches

The Glycine Bienne 1914 family connects the brand directly with its Swiss origins. The name references Biel/Bienne and Glycine's founding year, placing emphasis on traditional watchmaking heritage rather than aviation or dive-watch functionality.

Bienne 1914 models offer customers another perspective on Glycine: less overtly tool-oriented than Combat SUB and less specialised than Airman, but still grounded in the manufacturer's long mechanical history.

For collectors interested in heritage Swiss watches, automatic dress watches and classic mechanical watches, the Bienne 1914 collection can provide a particularly appropriate introduction to the brand.

Swiss Automatic Glycine Watches

Mechanical watchmaking remains central to Glycine's modern identity. Much of the contemporary range uses Swiss automatic movements, particularly the GL224 calibre found throughout numerous Combat and Airpilot references.

The GL293 appears within automatic GMT Airman watches, while more specialised watches can use alternative movements such as the GL280 employed in certain moonphase references.

Automatic watches are powered through the movement of the wearer rather than a conventional disposable battery. A weighted rotor transfers energy into the mainspring as the watch is worn, allowing the movement to continue operating while sufficiently wound.

For enthusiasts, the appeal extends beyond practicality. An automatic movement creates a direct mechanical connection between the watch and its wearer, making Glycine especially relevant to customers searching for a first Swiss automatic watch or a more specialist mechanical addition to an existing collection.

Glycine Quartz Watches

Although Glycine is strongly associated with mechanical horology, quartz technology also has a place within the modern catalogue.

Selected Airman and Airpilot references use Swiss quartz movements to provide highly accurate, low-maintenance timekeeping alongside GMT, dual-time or chronograph functions.

Quartz can make particular sense in a travel watch because it remains accurate even when the watch is not worn regularly. The wearer can pick it up after several days and expect the time to remain correct without needing to reset or wind the movement.

Glycine therefore gives customers the choice between the emotional and mechanical appeal of an automatic watch and the straightforward precision of Swiss quartz.

Glycine GMT and Dual-Time Watches

Few complications are more strongly associated with Glycine than the ability to read multiple time zones.

The Airman's historical relationship with professional pilots made dual-time functionality part of the company's identity decades before GMT watches became a major enthusiast category. Modern Glycine watches continue this tradition through automatic GMT movements, quartz dual-time systems, 24-hour displays and rotating bezels.

A GMT or dual-time watch is particularly useful for frequent travellers, pilots and anyone who regularly communicates internationally. One display can remain set to home time while another indicates the local time at the destination.

For watch enthusiasts, the complication also adds visual and mechanical interest without reducing everyday practicality.

Sapphire Crystal and Practical Glycine Watch Construction

Sapphire crystal appears throughout much of Glycine's contemporary catalogue and forms an important part of the brand's practical specification.

Synthetic sapphire is significantly more resistant to scratching than conventional mineral glass, making it particularly appropriate for everyday watches, sports watches and professional-style tool watches.

Depending upon the reference, Glycine uses flat, domed or box-style sapphire crystals to complement different design languages. Vintage-inspired watches can use shaped sapphire to recreate some of the character associated with older acrylic crystals while maintaining greater scratch resistance.

When combined with stainless-steel cases, screw-down crowns and robust automatic movements, sapphire crystal contributes to the everyday durability expected from a modern Swiss sports watch.

Are Glycine Watches Water Resistant?

Yes, although the level of water resistance varies significantly depending upon the model and intended purpose.

Dressier Glycine watches can carry relatively modest ratings suitable for normal everyday use, while aviation models may offer approximately 100 or 200 metres depending upon the reference.

The Combat SUB collection moves substantially further into sports-watch territory. Current references include models rated to 200 metres and 300 metres, often combined with screw-down crowns and rotating dive-style bezels.

Customers should always check the exact specification of an individual watch rather than assuming every Glycine model offers the same level of water resistance.

Why Are Glycine Watches Popular with Collectors?

Glycine occupies an unusual position within modern Swiss watchmaking. The brand possesses genuine twentieth-century history, recognisable historical models and specialist mechanical watches, yet it often operates below the price levels associated with the largest Swiss luxury manufacturers.

This can create considerable appeal among enthusiasts who prioritise horological interest and provenance rather than simply brand recognition.

Collectors are particularly attracted to Glycine because of its:

• Swiss watchmaking heritage dating to 1914
• Historic Airman aviation collection introduced in 1953
• Association with professional pilots and international travel
• Pete Conrad and Gemini 5 spaceflight connection
• Distinctive 24-hour Airman Purist watches
• Automatic GMT watches
• Combat collection dating to 1967
• Combat SUB automatic dive watches
• Swiss automatic movements
• Sapphire crystals across numerous references
• Multiple case sizes
• 200m and 300m sports-watch options
• Vintage-inspired and contemporary designs
• Strong value relative to many established Swiss competitors

Glycine Compared with Other Swiss Watch Brands

Glycine does not fit perfectly into the conventional categories used to describe the Swiss watch industry.

It is neither a fashion label producing watches as accessories nor a high-volume luxury marque built primarily around international prestige. Instead, Glycine occupies a specialist enthusiast space where historical aviation watches, automatic dive watches and distinctive mechanical designs form the core attraction.

The Airman gives Glycine an especially powerful point of differentiation. While many watch brands manufacture modern GMT or pilot watches, comparatively few can connect those products directly with an aviation model first introduced in the early 1950s.

Combat SUB provides another strong proposition. Sapphire crystal, Swiss automatic movements and substantial water resistance place many models into direct competition with more expensive Swiss automatic sports watches.

For enthusiasts comparing watches according to history, movement, specification and originality rather than logo recognition alone, Glycine can therefore offer considerable depth.

Glycine Watches for Men

Glycine's collection offers extensive choice for men looking for mechanical, aviation and sports watches.

Airman models appeal to enthusiasts searching for a historic Swiss GMT or pilot watch. Combat SUB delivers a more rugged dive-watch experience, while Combat Classic provides understated everyday and dress-oriented mechanical designs. Airpilot adds contemporary aviation watches, chronographs and dual-time models.

Case sizes also range considerably, from relatively compact watches through to substantial 42mm, 44mm and larger aviation designs. This means customers can choose based on both function and wrist presence.

Glycine Watches for Women

Although Glycine is frequently associated with traditional men's military and pilot watches, smaller modern references have made the collection increasingly versatile.

Combat Classic and Combat SUB models around 36mm can work particularly well for women who appreciate mechanical watches, Swiss sports-watch construction and designs with more substance than a conventional jewellery watch.

The growth of unisex sizing also means the distinction between men's and women's watches is becoming less important for many enthusiasts. A buyer can increasingly choose according to wrist size, design preference and intended use rather than a fixed gender category.

Which Glycine Watch Should You Buy?

The best Glycine watch depends primarily upon the experience you want from the brand.

If historical significance and aviation heritage matter most, start with the Glycine Airman. A GMT version offers intuitive multi-time-zone functionality, while an Airman Purist delivers the distinctive 24-hour reading experience closest to the original concept.

If you want a robust Swiss automatic dive watch for everyday wear, the Combat SUB is likely to be the strongest option. Choose between 36mm, 39mm and 42mm models according to your preferred dimensions and compare the individual water-resistance and bezel specifications.

For a versatile automatic watch suitable for professional or smarter occasions, consider Combat Classic. Moonphase and Open Heart references add additional mechanical interest.

If you prefer contemporary pilot styling or want a Swiss quartz GMT, dual-time or chronograph watch, the Airpilot family provides another route into the brand.

Who Should Buy a Glycine Watch?

Glycine can be particularly appealing to:

• Swiss watch enthusiasts
• Collectors interested in aviation history
• GMT watch buyers
• Pilots and frequent travellers
• Fans of vintage-inspired watches
• Automatic watch enthusiasts
• Buyers seeking a first Swiss mechanical watch
• Dive watch collectors
• Customers wanting a 200m or 300m sports watch
• Enthusiasts interested in historically important tool watches
• Collectors looking beyond mainstream Swiss luxury brands
• Buyers wanting strong specifications for the price

The collection is especially compelling for someone who wants the watch itself to have a story. Airman, Combat and the company's broader mechanical history give Glycine a heritage rooted in real watchmaking development rather than a recently created design narrative.

Buying Glycine Watches from an Official UK Authorised Retailer

Buying a Glycine watch through an Official UK Authorised Retailer helps ensure that the timepiece is genuine, sourced through approved distribution channels and supplied with the appropriate official manufacturer warranty and aftersales support.

Clarindon Jewellers offers a growing collection of Glycine watches including Airman, Airpilot, Combat SUB, Combat Classic and Bienne 1914 references. Our range covers Swiss automatic watches, GMT watches, pilot watches, dive watches, moonphase watches, chronographs and heritage-inspired mechanical designs.

Our watch specialists can help customers compare case dimensions, movements, water resistance, complications, straps and collection histories before choosing the most appropriate Glycine watch.

Customers can also benefit from free UK delivery and available 0% finance options, subject to the applicable terms.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Glycine Watches

Is Glycine a good watch brand?

Yes. Glycine is an established Swiss watch manufacturer founded in 1914 with genuine mechanical watchmaking heritage. The company is particularly respected among enthusiasts for the Airman aviation collection, Combat SUB dive watches, Swiss automatic movements and historically significant tool-watch designs.

Is Glycine a Swiss watch brand?

Yes. Glycine was founded in Biel/Bienne, Switzerland, in 1914 by Eugène Meylan and remains associated with Swiss watchmaking. Modern Glycine collections include watches using Swiss automatic and Swiss quartz movements.

When was Glycine founded?

Glycine was founded in 1914 in Biel/Bienne, Switzerland, by watchmaker Eugène Meylan.

What is Glycine famous for?

Glycine is best known for the Airman, an aviation watch introduced in 1953 and designed around the ability to track multiple time zones. The brand is also widely recognised for its Combat and Combat SUB collections.

When was the Glycine Airman introduced?

The original Glycine Airman was introduced in 1953. It became closely associated with pilots and international travel because of its distinctive 24-hour display and multiple-time-zone functionality.

Did a Glycine watch go to space?

Yes. NASA astronaut Charles “Pete” Conrad wore a Glycine Airman during the Gemini 5 mission in 1965. Glycine records that the watch returned with Conrad following the mission.

What is a Glycine Airman Purist?

An Airman Purist uses a 24-hour time display in which the main hour hand makes one complete revolution of the dial every 24 hours rather than every twelve hours. This preserves one of the most distinctive characteristics of the original Airman concept.

Does Glycine make GMT watches?

Yes. GMT and multiple-time-zone watches are central to Glycine's history. The Airman range contains automatic GMT and dual-time designs, while the Airpilot family also includes GMT and dual-time references.

Does Glycine make automatic watches?

Yes. Automatic mechanical watches form a major part of Glycine's current collection. The brand uses Swiss automatic movements across Airman, Combat SUB, Combat Classic, Airpilot and other model families.

What movement does Glycine use?

Movement specifications depend upon the individual watch. The GL224 Swiss automatic calibre appears extensively across modern Glycine collections, while Airman automatic GMT references can use the GL293. Certain moonphase watches use the GL280, and selected models employ Swiss quartz movements.

Are Glycine Combat SUB watches automatic?

Many Glycine Combat SUB watches use Swiss automatic movements, although buyers should always confirm the exact specification of the reference they are considering because the wider Glycine catalogue includes different movement types.

Are Glycine Combat SUB watches good dive watches?

Combat SUB models can provide substantial sports-watch specifications. Depending upon the reference, current watches can combine Swiss automatic movements, sapphire crystals, screw-down crowns and approximately 200 or 300 metres of water resistance.

What size are Glycine Combat SUB watches?

Glycine offers Combat SUB watches across several sizes. Clarindon's current collection includes approximately 36mm, 39mm and 42mm references, giving customers a broad choice of proportions.

Does Glycine use sapphire crystal?

Yes. Sapphire crystal is used extensively throughout the modern Glycine range, including numerous Airman, Airpilot, Combat SUB and Combat Classic watches.

Are Glycine watches water resistant?

Yes, but the rating varies by model. Some everyday watches have relatively modest water resistance, while selected aviation models offer greater protection and Combat SUB references can provide 200 or 300 metres depending upon the individual watch.

Who owns Glycine Watches?

Glycine was acquired by the Invicta Watch Group in 2016. The Glycine brand continues to maintain its own identity, historic collections and Swiss watchmaking heritage.

Where can I buy Glycine watches in the UK?

Clarindon Jewellers is an Official UK Authorised Retailer of Glycine Watches, supplying genuine Glycine watches with official manufacturer support, free UK delivery and available finance options.

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Discover Glycine Watches at Clarindon Jewellers

More than a century after Eugène Meylan established Glycine in Biel/Bienne, the brand remains one of the more distinctive names within enthusiast-focused Swiss watchmaking. Its history moves from early mechanical innovation to the pioneering Airman of 1953, Pete Conrad's Gemini 5 connection, the introduction of Combat in 1967 and today's extensive range of automatic GMT, aviation and dive watches.

For buyers searching for Glycine Watches UK, Glycine Airman watches, Glycine Combat SUB watches, Swiss automatic watches, GMT watches, pilot watches, aviation watches, dive watches and mechanical watches, the collection offers an unusual combination of authentic history and practical contemporary specification. Airman provides one of watchmaking's most recognisable approaches to multiple-time-zone display, while Combat SUB brings sapphire crystal, Swiss automatic movements and serious water resistance into a versatile sports-watch platform.

As an Official UK Authorised Retailer of Glycine Watches, Clarindon Jewellers supplies genuine Glycine timepieces through authorised channels with official manufacturer warranty support, specialist advice, free UK delivery and available 0% finance options.

Shop the Complete Glycine Watches Collection at Clarindon Jewellers