Glycine
- Founded
- 1914
- Based in
- Biel, Switzerland
- In our catalog
- 2 watches from $550 to $1,450
Glycine's claim to fame is the Airman, a pilot's watch from 1953 with a 24-hour dial and a rotating bezel that could track a second time zone. It was worn by pilots in many air forces, including American pilots in the Vietnam War, and it's still the heart of the brand.
History
Eugène Meylan founded Glycine in Biel in 1914. The brand was known for small, decorative women's watches and early automatic movements. In 1953 it launched the Airman, designed for pilots flying long distances across time zones. It shows the time on a 24-hour dial, so the hour hand goes around once a day, and its bezel can show a second zone.
Glycine had a hard time during the quartz crisis and changed owners several times. In 2016 it was bought by the Invicta Watch Group, which has made it more affordable and expanded the range.
Signature models
- Airman Base 22: A modern Airman with a 24-hour dial and a GMT movement.
- Combat Sub 42: An inexpensive, solid Swiss dive watch with a clean look.
What it's known for
Reading a 24-hour dial takes some getting used to, but it gives a clear sense of day and night, which is useful for travelers and pilots. Glycine's Combat Sub is one of the cheapest Swiss automatic dive watches.
Price and positioning
Glycine watches cost roughly $500 to $1,500, much lower than before its sale to Invicta. That's similar to Certina and Mido. The Airman is a unique watch with genuine history, though the brand's image has suffered since the takeover.
Glycine watches in our library
- Glycine Combat Sub 42 ($550 to $800)
- Glycine Airman Base 22 ($1,000 to $1,450)