10 Best Glycine Watches Under $500

Glycine watches have long been a pillar in the industry especially when it comes to pilot watches. As a matter of fact, Glycine is one of the first companies to produce aviation timepieces with a second time zone. The company also produces top of the line military watches and dive watches. Not only do their timepieces perform at optimum efficiency but they also provide great value for your money. Each watch creates not only a lasting impression but also durability, especially in high-pressure situations. Indeed, Glycine proved through time that quality watches don’t have to cost anyone a fortune.

The Rich History of Glycine Watches

In 1914, watch engineer Eugène Meylan founded Glycine in Bienne, Switzerland. As an engineer, Meylan generally didn’t like to compromise. He only craved perfection, hence, the quality watches he produced alongside dedicated horologists. Meylan also had a profound understanding of the market demands. Due to his great interest in the industry, he knew exactly how to marry his knowledge with technological advancements. Soon after, with Meylan’s dedication and perseverance, he produced extremely precise, small movements for ladies watches.

Glycine later became a pillar of luxury. Not only did they create miniature movements but they also embellished watches with diamond studs. The cases? Also made of expensive gold and platinum. The company’s main market was located in affluent Europe like England as well as in America. However, Meylan aimed for greater reach.

Glycine’s Innovative Feats

In 1931, Meylan presented a watch that significantly gave the company a boost in the international market. Glycine released a self-winding watch that was entirely Meylan’s creation. This, of course, can still be found in the collector’s market. By 1934, the company produced a line of chronometer watches that passed the tests of the Official Swiss Quality Control.

The market greatly celebrated these feats as the world overall suffered the consequences of the world war. Glycine remained afloat despite the economic depression that hit the world. In fact, Glycine was one of the only 29 exhibitors at the Basel Fair in 1938.

Soon as the economy stabilized by the end of the war in 1945, Glycine immediately produced a complete range of automatic self-winding watches. The 1950s had been kind to the company as they produced VACUUM chronometers that were, at the time, water and shock-resistant. It was also in the ’50s that the Airman came about. It was another technological feat for the company as the Airman came with a second 24-hour display. This catered to pilots as well as travellers with two time zones on its dial.

The Airman had since been the epitome of Glycine watches: robust, functional, and stylish. The rest is history for Glycine as they continued to innovate on the Airman with mechanical and quartz movements. At the dawn of the 21st century, the company introduced other lines of watches that could withstand just about anything. The company offers great value for high-quality watches thereafter.

Notable Collections from Glycine

Glycine Airman

Everybody recognizes Glycine as a pioneer in watchmaking for aviators. Their aviation watches provide the needs not only of professional pilots but also of frequent jet-setters. With its launch in 1953, introducing multiple time zones in the market was certainly a legendary success. It started the unbroken chain of aviation timepieces that featured complex movements as well as collector’s items. And just when people thought it was the end of innovation for Airman, the company pushed the limits even further. From two time zones, the Airman graduated to having four. Yes, the Airman 7 had four time zones simultaneously displayed. This was due to the three mechanical movements that powered the watch.

Glycine Combat

With Glycine’s track record, it was almost impossible to find any flaw in their watches. Especially with the construction and assembly of the watch and its movements. Glycine takes good care of each step that makes it sturdy as well as captivating. Glycine produced watches housed by high-grade steel of rugged construction that made each timepiece worth every penny. These watches later named under the COMBAT collection, which stood out for classic designs as well as enduring strength. Their reliability also made them a popular choice among uniformed officers and sports enthusiasts.

10 of the Best Glycine Watches

However, Glycine still had a ton of watches to choose from. It wouldn’t be easy to pick among the remarkable line of timepieces they have. So, we gathered 10 of the best Glycine watches. These timepieces not only serve their purpose in land and air but also underwater. Learn more about the best of Glycine through the list below.

1. Glycine Combat 6 Classic 43 GL0110

When we talk about the Combat collection, their classic sub-family is one of the first that comes to mind. These watches include not only definitive designs but also functions that serve their purpose. With an automatic movement, the Combat 6 Classic 43 GL0110 exemplifies high precision. It is 43 mm in diameter, thus its name. The watch is also water-resistant for up to 50 meters. Therefore, you can use the watch without worrying about splashes and quick submersion in water. The domed sapphire crystal also has three layers of anti-reflective coating on the underside. Moreover, it has luminous hands and markers for utmost readability even in dark.

2. Glycine Airman “DC 4” GL0072

This vintage Glycine Airman attributes its design from the first Airman in the 1950s. Not only does it feature dual time zones like its predecessor but its second crown is also designed as it was then. However, its bezel functions differently. The bidirectional bezel features the second 24-hour display and also has a special spacer system at 4 o’clock hatched crown. It also has a power reserve of 42 hours and a pilot strap for an aviator’s comfort.

3. Glycine Combat Sub GL0257

This Glycine Combat Sub can take you deeper than you can imagine. With a water-resistance of up to 300 meters, this watch is ultimately a dive watch in itself. Powered by the GL224 Swiss automatic movement, it provides hours, minutes, seconds, and a date at 3 o’clock. It also has 38 hours of power reserve and a special caseback with an embossed Stingray. Moreover, it has a unidirectional turning bezel functioning with 120 clicks. Not to mention, its bracelet is a NATO-styled pilot fabric strap that sits comfortably around your wrist.

4. Glycine Combat Sub GL0076

The Glycine Combat Sub GL0076 is classic in its design and features. It’s just as durable as the other combat watches but its water-resistance can be taken deeper into the ocean. At 200 meters, you can enjoy snorkelling or recreational swimming without worrying about damaging your watch. You can also keep track of time while underwater with its illuminating hands and markers. The caseback is solid steel screwed so you’re sure that the watch is robust. Moreover, it has a unidirectional rotating bezel to track your time underwater at utmost accuracy.

5. Glycine Airman GL0170

The Glycine Airman GL0170 has to be the quintessential Airman made better. Design-wise, this watch is under the contemporary Airmans that are as stylish as they are functional. This Airman has a bidirectional bezel and is water-resistant for up to 100 meters. This water resistance can take you for a recreational swim with no overall worries. It also has three time zones that you can monitor through the third time zone hand and the bidirectional bezel. Its calf leather bracelet is in carbon style in addition to its monochromatic appeal.

6. Glycine Combat Sub GL0173

The Glycine Combat Sub GL0173 strikes you at first sight. This is due to its amazing design. It has a stainless steel black and red gold PVD coated case as well as a unidirectional turning bezel with aluminium ring coloured. At 42 mm in diameter, this watch can go up to 200 meters in water resistance. It also has a pilot strap so you can surely take it anywhere without worrying about its durability.

7. Glycine Combat Classic Moonphase GL0115

As a part of the classic sub-family of the Combat collection, the GL0115 has all the Combat features. It is water-resistant for up to 50 meters and has a very durable casing. It also has a domed sapphire crystal with three layers of anti-reflective coating on the underside. Its silver dial also has green Super-LumiNova so reading wouldn’t be a problem even in the darkest places. However, this design stands out for its moon phase feature. It shows the exact phase of the moon that seems such a delight to see.

8. Glycine Airman GL0069

A close cousin of the GL0170, the GL0069 is almost similar in the overall design. However, the dial of this Airman surely changes that immediately. Besides the second time zone that you can monitor through a hand, this has a third time zone on the bidirectional bezel. The dial strikes with a polished, yellow-green full Super-LumiNova® and painted numerals. This creates a contrasting or negative image effect on the display, especially in the dark.

9. Glycine Combat Classic “Open Heart” GL0121

Movements and calibers can be very fascinating especially with its powerful mechanisms despite its size. So, Glycine took it to their design to give this classic combat an “open heart”. Through an exposed portion of the dial, you may be able to observe its GL224 calibre, a Swiss automatic movement. This makes for a unique addition on our list and most collectors would adore such design. The watch, however, remains functional at 50 meters of water resistance. Its hands and indexes are also illuminated by Super-LumiNova so you’ll still be able to read time no matter where you are.

 10. Glycine Combat Sub GL0080

If you’re a fan of more futuristic designs, this could be the Glycine watch for you. The watch is mostly monochromatic with a black dial and black bezel with white markers. It also has a stainless steel black PVD coated case. This transcends to its stainless steel integrated bracelet. But it stands out with red mat indexes that are illuminated by grey Super-LumiNova. This makes reading not only a lot easier but also a tad bit cooler. You can take this watch or a swim at 200 meters in water-resistance.

Glycine Watches Through Land, Air, and Sea

Glycine watches have been tried and tested through various environments. With its specialized and hyper-focused collections, it’s safe to say that these timepieces transcend beyond just land and air. It can also be taken on the depths of the sea without any worry. Its price may be mid-tier but each watch surely gives you the value your money deserves and a whole lot more. Surely, whichever you pick from our quick list will provide you with the function you’re paying for.

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Looking for more automatic watches? Check out our list of the most affordable automatic watches under $100.