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SOLD Glycine Airman 1967. Vintage. c/w accessories and full service.

  1. noiseboyuk Aug 10, 2021

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    Hi All,
    NOW SOLD - Thanks to all that enquired and to OF for the facility.
    I am re-listing this previously sold Glycine Airman.
    Unfortunately it arrived to the customer with some timing issues caused during shipping.
    The buyer decided that he would prefer a refund rather than repair - so here it is - available again.
    My watchmaker has resolved the issue - and he's also serviced the watch while it was dismantled - so good to go.
    This is a vintage watch from the 50's and 60's, not the re-issue.

    This is a 24 hour watch, however the extended tail of the hour hand also points at the 12 hour equivalent during daytime – pretty neat.
    These Glycine Airman have automatic self winding movements with a date feature and have ‘GMT’ rotating bezels which can be released and locked using the second ‘crown’ at 08.00 hours..
    Stainless steel case just over 36mm without crowns and 20mm lug width which makes them ‘wear bigger’.
    This model features the remarkable ‘hacking’ seconds hand complication.
    For those new to Glycine Airman’, the hacking seconds is an astonishingly simple mechanism, unique to Glycine Airman, which allows for ultra accurate synchronisation for individual or multiple timepieces.
    There is a tiny hole in between the 2 and 4 digit at the top of the watch dial.
    When the crown is pulled out to the 1st position (time setting), a cam mechanism pushes an ultra thin wire (human hair thickness) up through the hole.
    The second hand continues to rotate until its extended tip comes into contact with this wire, and it stops.
    Once hours and minutes are set on the watch, the seconds hand is immediately restarted at zero, by pushing the crown back in to manual winding position (thus retracting the wire and allowing the seconds hand to start).
    For example, in a military context where ultra accurate synchronisation was essential - a large number of pilots during pre flight briefing could very simply synchronise all their watches by pulling out the crown, setting the time - and then after a countdown, simultaneously pressing the crown back in – all seconds hands would start in sync.
    This feature was used extensively during various conflicts including Vietnam.
    Unfortunately, many of the vintage Glycine Airman watches that come up for sale, have non working hack mechanisms, parts are no longer available so repairs are quite challenging.
    It's also interesting that internet research reveals a strong link between Glycine and NASA.
    Although not a major target for ‘fakers’, there are a few out there – and quite a few ‘frankens’.
    Here are some links to more information on the Glycine Airman, much more info is available on the net.

    #TBT Glycine Airman Special (fratellowatches.com)


    Glycine Airman: Story Behind The Pilot’s Wristwatch – Gnomon Watches


    Glycine Airman 24 hour dial Pilot watch and lockable 24-hr bezel (timeline.watch)


    Watches Worn by USAF in Vietnam: An American Icon and the Precursor to the GMT Watch | by Howard “Howardflyer” Lau | Medium


    Here is a spreadsheet that can be used to confirm date of manufacture and features specific to the year of the watch.
    [​IMG]


    Glycine Airman. 1967.
    All original.
    Good strong snap back EPSA compressor case with no signs of polishing, just over 36mm without crowns.
    Excellent condition for year.
    Some minor blemishes on the case and plastic crystal as to be expected on a watch almost 55 years old, but no major issues.
    Correct 'hash mark' wind/set crown.
    Clear engravings on the caseback.
    Excellent dial print and good tritium lume.
    Correct 'cyclops date' crystal - the lens is under the crystal, so no external bulge.
    Correct Schild AS1903 movement.
    Just serviced - so great timekeeping and power reserve.
    All functions work correctly.
    Rotating bezel works smoothly with firm 'lock' via the crown at 08.00 hours..
    Fully working hacking seconds feature.
    Mounted on a vintage style brown strap with stainless steel buckle.
    Comes with original wooden box and owners manual/guarantee booklet.
    Please check out the pictures as they represent the majority of the description
    I'd like to see UK £1650 to include shipping.
    Please contact me via PM for further information etc.
    Thanks for looking.
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    Edited Aug 13, 2021
    XXoF, D YOUNG, ddOmega and 8 others like this.