The original pilot's GMT, on a budget
By Rafael Ortiz, Mexico City ยท
Before Rolex made the GMT-Master, Glycine made the Airman. That was 1953, and the idea was simple: a 24-hour dial so a pilot could tell day from night without guessing, plus a bezel to track another zone. The Base 22 keeps that spirit. The hour hand goes around once a day, so noon is at the bottom and midnight at the top.
It takes getting used to. For the first few days you'll read 9 a.m. as 4:30. Then one day you'll be on a red-eye somewhere over Colombia and realize you know it's 3 a.m. at home without thinking. That's when it clicks.
The rest: a 42 mm case, 14 mm thick, 200 meters, on leather with a closed caseback. The Sellita SW330 base gives you a GMT hand on top of the 24-hour dial, which is a little redundant when the main dial is already 24-hour, but fine. Reserve is 42 hours.
At 1,000 to 1,450 dollars, it's a lot of history for the money. It's also a little thick and a bit odd, so try one on first. Not for everyone. I love it.