Glycine Airman knowledge sought

Observer · Jun 27, 2019

First, thanks everyone for all of the usual invaluable help. I emailed Nevada Watch Repair this morning and am waiting to hear back. I didn't realize at first that the hacking mechanism is in working order. I hadn't seen one before where you have to wait for the second hand to return to zero.
Another concern I have with this watch is the bracelet. I have most, but not all, of the original fixo-flex bracelet. See photos below. Any advice is welcome, but I'm guessing that if there's a solution it resides in the WTB forum. I'll be sure to post pics when the watch is ready for action again. Thanks again!

Dan S · Jun 27, 2019

Observer
First, thanks everyone for all of the usual invaluable help. I emailed Nevada Watch Repair this morning and am waiting to hear back. I didn't realize at first that the hacking mechanism is in working order. I hadn't seen one before where you have to wait for the second hand to return to zero.
Another concern I have with this watch is the bracelet. I have most, but not all, of the original fixo-flex bracelet. See photos below. Any advice is welcome, but I'm guessing that if there's a solution it resides in the WTB forum. I'll be sure to post pics when the watch is ready for action again. Thanks again!

Nothing wrong with that bracelet, but I'm curious why you think it's original to the watch? Those are pretty generic.

Observer · Jun 27, 2019

Dan S
Nothing wrong with that bracelet, but I'm curious why you think it's original to the watch? Those are pretty generic.

I guess it's not easy to tell from the photo, but the bracelet tapers out to the endlink. The side that's missing an endlink is also missing four pieces of the bracelet. I can't guarantee that the bracelet is original, but the fixo-flex was sold as an option with the watch as seen below.

James Sadilek · Jun 27, 2019

Thank you to all for your kindness in mentioning my name. The Glycine Airman, some versions, did come with the German made Fixo-Flex bracelet.

Regarding the posted cross-section image of the bezel clamp, while that configuration may exist, I've never seen it. All that I have seen, and that would be many, have a larger hole under the bezel, about the size of the hole in the side of the case for the clamp screw.

In order to retain the clamp screw, the outer end of the screw is cross drilled. After the clamp screw is screwed into the case, the drilled end of the screw can be accessed through the hole under the bezel; a tapered pin is driven into the hole in the clamp screw. The pin extends a bit on either side of the screw and prevents the screw from coming completely out of the case as it is unscrewed. In order to remove the clamp screw, the bezel is removed and the pin pulled out of the screw and back out through the hole under the bezel.

There are no factory replacement bezel clamp parts. The parts must be fabricated and fitted to the case. The hole in the case for the plate steady pin varies slightly from case to case, so the clamp plate is a custom fit with the hole for the steady pin being drilled to match the plate.

James Sadilek -- ccwatchmaker.

Observer · Jul 3, 2019

Update:
I sent the watch to James and heard back today.
The good news: "Except for the missing bezel clamp, your watch looks very good. The movement appears almost new."
The rest of it: "...more than a minute a day positional error. -40 to +28. Also the dial up and dial down rates should be within a few seconds of being the same. In this instance I am seeing a 40 seconds a day variation. These variations are an indication that the watch needs to be serviced."

It'll be well worth it, but I may need to delay the next acquisition.

river rat · Oct 4, 2019

Know this thread old. Just wondering how this watch turned out after service ?

Observer · Dec 10, 2019

Update:
Repair and service are complete. Jim has been a pleasure to deal with. The main part of the elapsed time has been due to a backlog of work at the machinist's shop. I just sent payment and am hoping to have the watch back this week. Will post pics then. 😀

Observer · Dec 22, 2019

Not exactly watch porn quality images, but I wanted to share the outcome. I have limited experience, but it's easy to see why Jim is so highly recommended. It's nice to have the watch back home. Now I just need to get it on my wrist. If anyone has strap recommendations, I'm all ears.

JwRosenthal · Dec 22, 2019

Observer
Not exactly watch porn quality images, but I wanted to share the outcome. I have limited experience, but it's easy to see why Jim is so highly recommended. It's nice to have the watch back home. Now I just need to get it on my wrist. If anyone has strap recommendations, I'm all ears.

Spectacular watch and on my wish list one day- if it hasn’t been said- dibs!

As far as I have seen they came on a thin textured leather strap. The ones Bulang is marketing for the Speedy right now would period correct in my opinion if it’s a 19 or 20 lugs, though it may be an 18- I haven’t handled one in the flesh so don’t know.
https://bulangandsons.com/collectio...ts/taurillon-black-speedy-leather-watch-strap

Tubber · Dec 22, 2019

On an older looking leather strap.

The re-issue came on a NATO strap.

Canvas NATO.

Leather NATO.

Observer · Dec 22, 2019

Thanks for the recs. I'm definitely leaning toward brown leather.

JwRosenthal · Dec 22, 2019

This thread is really not helping me. Every time I’m about to pull the trigger on one I stop myself- I have another gmt watch, I have plenty of vintage divers with the arrow hands. I have blah-blah....but these are just plain cool looking watches.

Tubber · Dec 22, 2019

JwRosenthal
This thread is really not helping me. Every time I’m about to pull the trigger on one I stop myself- I have another gmt watch, I have plenty of vintage divers with the arrow hands. I have blah-blah....but these are just plain cool looking watches.

Maybe so but do you have a watch which hacks by pushing a small wire through the dial?

JwRosenthal · Dec 22, 2019

Tubber
Maybe so but do you have a watch which hacks by pushing a small wire through the dial?

Absolutely not! That makes it all the cooler

krogerfoot · Dec 22, 2019

JwRosenthal
This thread is really not helping me. Every time I’m about to pull the trigger on one I stop myself- I have another gmt watch, I have plenty of vintage divers with the arrow hands. I have blah-blah....but these are just plain cool looking watches.

I regret to inform you that they are incredibly appealing watches. I have three now, which is strictly speaking two too many. They are 24-hour watches, however; the GMT reissue versions without the wire-through-the-pinhole hack are, in my opinionatedness, an expensive exercise in missing the point.
Let me also add my unreserved recommendation for Jim Sadilek as a watchmaker and a gentleman. I hope he is training an apprentice to carry on his essential work for future generations of Airman owners.

James Sadilek · Dec 28, 2019

Thank you to Krogerfoot for his kind words. Regarding straps, the distance between the case lugs on the vintage Glycine Airman watches is 20mm.

To Tubber, who wrote, "Maybe so but do you have a watch which hacks by pushing a small wire through the dial?" As Tubber obviously knows, this type of hack is unique to Glycine. However, in addition to the Airman watches with the wire hack, there are also vintage Glycine Combat models (12 hour dial, ETA movement), with the wire hack. These are rare. The only one I've seen was from 1958.

James Sadilek -- ccwatchmaker

Tubber · Jan 7, 2020

James Sadilek
Thank you to Krogerfoot for his kind words. Regarding straps, the distance between the case lugs on the vintage Glycine Airman watches is 20mm.

To Tubber, who wrote, "Maybe so but do you have a watch which hacks by pushing a small wire through the dial?" As Tubber obviously knows, this type of hack is unique to Glycine. However, in addition to the Airman watches with the wire hack, there are also vintage Glycine Combat models (12 hour dial, ETA movement), with the wire hack. These are rare. The only one I've seen was from 1958.

James Sadilek -- ccwatchmaker

The Glycine Combat is a very nice watch but at 34mm just a touch too small for me. There was a figure of 100 Glycine Combats bandied around for a while but I don't believe that. I have been offered at least 4. I do rather regret not buying one, maybe some time.
Is the hacking mechanism with the lever the same principle on the Airman and the Combat?

vacheroyale · Jan 9, 2020

Yes, Jim Sadilek is the man that can help you out

Edwinowl · Jan 10, 2020

II had a vintage Glycine some while back and sold her on here, had a lot of correspondence with this guy Emre, i'm sure he's been mentioned on here before and had a website Glycentinial which I cant now find. Just this link. This guy is the guru.
https://wahawatches.com/interview-emre-kiris/

vacheroyale · Jan 12, 2020

I

Edwinowl
II had a vintage Glycine some while back and sold her on here, had a lot of correspondence with this guy Emre, i'm sure he's been mentioned on here before and had a website Glycentinial which I cant now find. Just this link. This guy is the guru.
https://wahawatches.com/interview-emre-kiris/

I am glad you posted this https://wahawatches.com/interview-emre-kiris/

it's very tutorial

thanks

Glycine Airman knowledge sought

Observer

Dan S

Observer

James Sadilek

Observer

river rat

Observer

Observer

JwRosenthal

Tubber

Observer

JwRosenthal

Tubber

JwRosenthal

krogerfoot

James Sadilek

Tubber

vacheroyale

Edwinowl

vacheroyale

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