More than a hundred years of experience speaks for itself. Glycine significantly left a mark in the industry and it’s impossible to ignore any of their releases. So, even if we’re already drowning in dive watches, it’s still worth taking a look at the Glycine Combat Sub.
Sure, we’ve seen enough affordable watches and alternatives to the Rolex Submariner. But have we seen the best among them yet? I say we take a quick dive into everything great about the Combat Sub. Can this $400 dive watch outperform or underwhelm dive enthusiasts? Read on to learn more.
Brief History of Glycine
In Bienne, Switzerland, watch engineer Eugène Meylan founded Glycine. It was 1914, and Meylan followed a principle to only provide timepieces close to perfection. He didn’t like to compromise and so he began his journey alongside talented and dedicated horologists. But Meylan wasn’t only an engineer but also a businessman himself. So, he had an idea of how the market worked and what it demanded from his industry.
Due to his dedication to the craft, he put together his advanced knowledge and technology. Soon after, with Meylan’s 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.
A Century of Ingenuity
Glycine enjoyed local popularity for years to come. But in 1931, the company presented a watch that boosted the company’s image in the international market. It was a self-winding watch that was completely Meylan’s creation. To this day, the collector’s market basks on its glory and many people adore the piece. By 1934, the company produced a line of chronometer watches that passed the tests of the Official Swiss Quality Control.
The company completely powered through economic struggles and wars. As the market suffered the consequences of the world war, Glycine continued to function. The brand 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.
In 1945, the economy became more stabilized as it met the end of the world war. Glycine took this as an opportunity to produce 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 Glycine 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. It was a robust, functional, and stylish timepiece loved by many. The rest is history for Glycine as they continued to innovate on the Airman with mechanical and quartz movements.
The Birth of the Combat Sub
In the late 1960s, Glycine produced a line of robust watches made for the land and sea through the Combat line. Included in the family was the Sub dive watch. It was at that time that Glycine sought to improve their watches design-wise. It launched as a 37mm watch that people easily fell for. However, through the years, the company continued to improve its design. Today, the Glycine Combat Sub is available in bigger versions. That would make it more friendly to be taken underwater and especially useful with a diving suit on.
By the end of the 1990s, the company introduced other lines of watches that could withstand just about anything. The company offers great value for high-quality watches thereafter.
The Glycine Combat Sub
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 their watches 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.
However, one of their most popular watches would be the Combat Sub. This sub-family is made for the sea. It could be one of the best, more affordable alternatives to a Rolex Submariner. With that said, it should be understood that the Combat Sub has various iterations and models as a collection. Let’s understand each one of them at a glance.
Combat Sub Models
Today, there are about 60 models of the Glycine Combat Sub watches in the company’s catalogue. Each watch has its own identity and features to adore. For instance, you might find the Combat Sub Bronze a classic that you can take from a 9-to-5 to a weekend underwater. You may also adore the robust and slightly rugged features of the Combat Sub Ambush. Perhaps, you’re looking for a more refined choice with the Combat Sub Splendid. You might also catch the Combat Sub Alliance with its functional 120-click bezel. Whatever it is that you need, there’s probably a Combat Sub timepiece just for you.
Case
There are various case sizes available for the Combat Sub. You may avail of it in 42, 46, as well as 48 mm cases. However, there are also other various materials that make up the Sub. Some models come in plain stainless steel cases as with its classic design. Other versions have PVD coatings for better protection. The Combat Sub Bronze has a bronze case thus its name. Meanwhile, the Combat Sub Ambush has a black PVD-coated stainless steel case. The same black PVD coat may also be seen on other classic designs on newer releases. On the other hand, for added elegance, the Combat Sub Splendid has a yellow gold PVD coating on its stainless steel case.
The bezels on these watches provide function as needed by any diver. There are various models under this collection that offer a 60-click unidirectional bezel. However, it’s also available in a 120-click unidirectional bezel as with the Alliance. While the 120-click bezel makes it a more expensive choice, it provides better function. Both bezels feature a tiny nub at 12:00 that makes it easier to control underwater. It also has a Super-LumiNova® at noon for easier tracking and legibility.
Despite the differences, all Combat Sub watches have a flat sapphire crystal. It also has three layers of anti-reflective coating on the underside for better legibility, especially underwater.
GL0078
- Case: Stainless steel
- Bezel: Unidirectional 60-click bezel with aluminium ring coloured
- Diameter: 42mm
- Waterproof: 20 ATM (200 meters / 660 ft)
Splendid GL0082
- Case: Stainless steel yellow gold PVD-coated
- Bezel: Unidirectional 60-click bezel with aluminium ring coloured
- Diameter: 42mm
- Waterproof: 20 ATM (200 meters / 660 ft)
GL0081
- Case: Stainless steel and yellow gold PVD-coated
- Bezel: Unidirectional 60-click bezel with aluminium ring
- Diameter: 42mm
- Waterproof: 20 ATM (200 meters / 660 ft)
Dial
There wouldn’t be much of a difference among Glycine Combat Sub iterations. For instance, they all have the same Super-LumiNova® on the hour indexes. However, there may be differences with the hour indexes. Some models have Arabic numerals, while others only show dots and rectangles as indicators. But the similar 24-hour markings may be seen on every model for better tracking of time. Each model also has the same date window positioned at 3 o’clock.
There is also a noticeable difference in the watches’ hands. There are two designs for the Sub’s hands. Although both Super-LumiNova®-painted, one version of the hour and minute hands is much slimmer than the other. The slimmer version of the hands also has a circle near the hour hand’s tip. This is a more common design in the collection.
The dial should also be marked with the inscription “COMBAT AUTOMATIC SUB 20/30 ATM”, depending on the water-resistance of your Sub.
Water Resistance
Speaking of water resistance, yes, you may avail of two different levels for the Combat Sub with a 100-meter difference. That’s a huge difference, especially for diving enthusiasts. However, it is noticeable that 20 ATM Combat Subs have a 60-click bezel. This means that these watches can go as deep as 200 meters or 660 ft. However, as a more expensive choice, 120-click bezel Subs have a 30 ATM water resistance. This makes a huge difference with a 300 meter or 1000 ft water resistance.
Movement
The Glycine Calibre GL224 powers all Combat Sub watches. It also powers various Combat Classic as well as Combat 6 watches. This calibre is a Swiss-made automatic watch movement. It has 25 jewels and about 38 hours of power reserve. This calibre powers through with 28,800 beats per hour with an Incabloc shock system. Among its features include an hour, minute, and central seconds function. It also has a date at 3 o’clock. It’s considered as one of the most affordable yet accurate movements in the industry.
Bracelets
Just as with its case material, there are various bracelets and straps offered for the Combat Sub. Various models offer different straps and bracelets to match anybody’s style. You may get it in either an oyster steel bracelet, leather strap, or a nylon NATO style strap. Both have different appeals but just as comfortable as each other. Anyone may also avail of a rubber strap that’s friendlier underwater and more durable as it would seem. Not to mention, you may get it in a stainless steel mesh that sits comfortably around your wrist.
Colours
Glycine Combat Sub is a playground for the company’s designers for various colorways. This makes the model such a stylish choice even for a dive watch. Here are various colours you might find on Amazon.
You may get it in blue, red, or black dials. You may also find it in white, green, as well as grey designs. Its bezel colours are just as playful and bright that makes it just as functional as it’s stylish. You can settle for a refined choice such as black or grey or a more playful blue or red. With these choices plus the many bracelets and straps available, owning a Combat truly makes for such a delight. They’re practically giving everyone the freedom to express without having to sacrifice its capacity underwater.
Price Points
It’s no surprise that the Combat Sub is one of the more affordable dive watches. Given its features and robust making, it’s a deal not everyone can pass on. It may be reminiscent of the Rolex Submariner, but it surely is a lot more affordable. Its price starts at about $400 and moves up depending on the additional features it offers. With a 120-click bezel and 30 ATM water resistance, it could go up to $700. Not to worry as this watch is definitely worth your money. You can’t get a dive watch any better than this.
Final Thoughts
Glycine has been providing people with affordable watches that puts functionality upfront. For more than a century, the company continued to prove that there’s always room for improvement. While the Combat Sub may not be the best among the many dive watches in the industry, it’s one of the greatest for its price. The model has undeniably become a favourite among enthusiasts. It’s not hard to love this watch with the features it offers. Even its most basic, classic design can provide the needs of a recreational diver. It can also transcend to a fine suit and tie event or used the morning after for a business meeting.
There’s almost no limit to where you can take your Glycine Combat Sub, especially with its versatile styling. You can go for a classic oyster steel bracelet or be a little more sporty with a NATO-style strap. You can opt for a classic colour or a more playful one. However, even with such a variety, it remains true to its brand and principle.
Looking for more affordable dive watches? Check out these Invicta Pro Diver watches that may suit your style and needs.
