I’m as much in love with it now as I was the first time I put it on. In the end, that’s what matters most. Technical specs My most vivid memory of the first time I reviewed a Combat Sub was its bezel action. It had no play to it at all. I’ve seen a fair share of wobbly bezels, and they grind my gears. No play whatsoever here. It doesn’t turn lightly, much like the bezel on newer HydroConquests. I like that – you cannot turn it accidentally. The Airman collection has watches sized 36, 40, 42, 43, 44, and 46mm… There’s something for every wrist. Then there’s the Combat and Combat Sub – 36, 39, 42, 43, 46, and 48mm. That is the most considerate range of sizes for every wrist that I’ve ever seen. From a strictly European perspective: previously, the problem with Glycine was…getting one. Now, Glycine has its own official webshop for Europe, Glycine Store Europe. There, the Combat Sub 39 and other Glycine watches are priced just like they would be at US retailers. In fact, GSE’s pricing is more favorable to European customers than buying at a huge discount from the US. Automatic – used by modern watches that wind automatically using the kinetic energy from your wrist.

Moving away from the dial and case, the Glycine Combat Sub 39 Metallic Blue Ref. GL0403 comes on a 20mm three-link stainless steel bracelet. It has brushed outer links and polished centre links, adding a touch of class to a well-sized diver. A diver’s clasp rounds off the bracelet, giving the bracelet and the whole watch an elegant look while still maintaining its utilitarian purpose. This latest version of the Glycine Combat Sub has a lot to offer and I’m excited to share my experience with this enticing timepiece. I can’t remember the last time I said that about a new watch. The curve of the mid-case and lugs, paired with the bracelet with female end links, just happens to fit my wrist perfectly. The fit is perfect for my wrist. The Swiss ETA 2824 automatic movement powers most of the timepieces in this collection. Others refer to this movement as the GL224 Swiss automatic movement. It is a high-performing calibre movement that has been proven to have high accuracy and reliability. One added advantage of the 2824 automatic movement is that it is a popular one, used by many brands for their watches. So, if by any chance something goes wrong with your movement, it is extremely easy to find an experienced watchmaker capable of fixing your 2824 automatic movement.

However, there is another Glycine model that tends to sneak under the radar - the Glycine Combat Sub. First introduced in the 1990s, the Combat Sub range has been revived and is now one of the most in-demand watches in their price range. It is not hard to see why, as the Combat Sub combines an old-school military-type dial with the robustness of dive watches. Glycine was founded in 1914 by the ingenious Eugène Meylan in Bienne, Switzerland. In the initial years of its founding, Glycine specialised in miniature movements, clad in precious metals and platinum cases for women. In the 1930s, Glycine started to launch its own self-winding watches, and subsequently, chronometer watches. Today, Glycine is most well known for its Airman models first launched in 1953. It was the first watch to introduce multiple time zones. It proved to be very legible behind the wheel at night and let’s face it, are there any more challenging lighting conditions you could put it through in your daily life? In all honesty, I don’t think so. Who’s it for? This brand has a long history and a number of merits to its name. They created one of the early regular production automatic winding systems in the 1930s. The Airman was a favorite of American pilots in Vietnam, often bought at army post exchanges (PX). I’m on the fence about the new dial, handset, and bezel insert. They hang together, design wise, and I like the date now being at the 6. But they also don’t contribute to as distinctive of a look for the Combat Sub as those elements used to. I’m now kind of getting Tudor BB58, Certina DS Action Diver, and Timex Navi XL vibes. Which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Just not as distinguishing to my eye.

I love how it wears on my wrist. The first thing I said after sizing the bracelet was, “It fits so well!” You never want anything to go wrong when purchasing something as important as your perfect timepiece. With that in mind, we’ve made you a brief list of tips and things you need to take note of when buying a watch: No play whatsoever here. It doesn’t turn lightly, much like the bezel on newer HydroConquests. I like that – you cannot turn it accidentally. We understand the importance of sizing the length of your watch bracelet or strap to provide the perfect fit. Our simple to use watch sizing guide allows you to measure the size of your wrist from the comfort of your own home. Glycine has explored an assortment of different colour combinations in their watches to come up with a wide range of options for the Combat Sub. Whether it’s the Combat Sub’s straps, bezels, or dials, you will have an array of choices that you can customise to create with your perfect watch. Here are the colour choices offered:

The Movement

Some may prefer a milled clasp. However, that would mean extra weight, and you wouldn’t want that. It’s milled where it should be and stamped where it can be to save weight.