Glycine Airman knowledge sought

Thank you for weighing in.

I still have it wrong, but based on your description I tried to modify the simplified drawing more toward what I think I understand you to be describing:




Looking over the author of the original drawing’s website, it would seem possible that he was attempting only to describe a method by which people could fabricate a workable alternative set-up absent parts on hand, rather than attempting describe the original set-up?

Even still, I’m confident my altered drawing isn’t right yet, and for related reasons without confidence that I yet understand exactly how!

Yes, you have it basically correct. The hole, #8 is larger, about the same diameter as the hole for the thumbscrew, and it only goes through into the hole coming from the side, not all the way through as indicated in the drawing. The retaining pin, #4 is shorter, with just enough protruding on either side to prevent the thumbscrew from being able to unscrew completely.

Oftentimes the bezels will not rotate even with the clamp loosened. This is usually because dirt is packed under the bezel. The bezels can be pried off with a thin blade, like a single-edged razor blade. Unless one has very strong hands, replacing the bezel requires some form of press in order to be replaced.

Thanks again for the clarification.

Based on that, a further iteration:



Given how you’ve described the pin’s length and placement, I’m only left wondering how one manages to “reach” the pin for removal?

PS: I’m reminded that I need to send you my ‘12 on top’ for determining what happened to the hacking pin when it was shipped to me!

O.K., I misspoke: the hole under the bezel would go a bit below the hole for the thumbscrew to give clearance for the pin. The purpose of the hole under the bezel is for inserting and removing the pin. One can reach through the hole with a small punch and drive the pin out. Ideally, it is tapered and a few taps should loosen it.

Be aware if it is anything more than a simple job of restoring the hack, you could have a long wait. It would be best to take this to a private email rather than on this forum. [email protected]

1953-2023 ... 70 years Glycine Airman pilot watches
The first automatic watch in space ! (Gemini V - 1965)
The 36 mm waterproof stainless steel Glycine Airman automatic was designed in 1953 to be the perfect pilot’s watch. A matte black 24 hours dial contrasts with the prominent arrow shaped hour hand and distinctive pencil minute hand. The Glycine Airman had an adjustable 24 hours bezel with lockdown thumbscrew, a domed acrylic plexiglass with date magnifier and a precise seconds hacking mechanism, an important feature for time synchronization used by military personnel.
It became the first automatic wrist watch to be used & exposed to outer space, by NASA astronaut Charles Pete Conrad respectively on Gemini V (August 1965) and Gemini XI (September 1966) spaceflight missions. During Gemini XI, Richard Gordon conducted 2 hours 41 minutes spacewalk time and due to the open cockpit design of the Gemini capsule, Conrad’s Glycine Airman automatic was all that time directly exposed to the vacuum of outer space!
A pilot watch favorite with civil airline pilots & military air crew of all forces alike; Army, Coast Guard, US Navy, USAF, USMC & US Space Force. (Photos: MoonwatchUniverse)
.

Post Scriptum:
In 1963, NASA astronauts started testing the T-38 as NASA planned less gas-guzzling jet aircraft for exclusive use by astronauts as spaceflight readiness aircraft and pilot proficiency training. NASA finally got the first T-38 jets on loan from USAF in August 1964.
In this way, astronauts avoided travel on commercial airlines while visiting NASA bases and subcontractors around the USA.
(1960s Topping scale model of the Northrop T-38 Talon supersonic jet trainer)

The early Glycine Airman watches (1953-1955) did not have the hacking device, the date magnifier, or the arrow shaped hour hand. The date magnifier and the hack were added in mid-1955. The arrow hour hand in 1956.

In addition to the flat black dial, some early Airman had champagne dials.

James Sadilek, Carson City, NV [email protected]
Glycine Heritage Agent for the U.S.

Yes, it is representative from what I am able to see, however, it looks new. The early ones I have seen have a larger luminous area in the hour and minute hands. It is difficult to see from the photograph, but these hands appear to be faceted Dauphine hands; the originals, the ones that I have seen, were flat, which allowed for a larger luminous area.

Early Airman watches used generic hands, there are variations, and of course, hands do get changed over the years.

Glycine has produced various replica versions of the early Airman. I would be more certain of my assessment if I had the watch in my hand.

I won this after the leading bidder withdrew their bid at the last moment, but I am wondering if it is too much of a gamble since there are no movement shots.

It’s my understanding that the upside-down 40 and the same-size text on the dial are signs of a fake. I would cancel the sale.

Thanks, I will study this before I attempt to buy this model, I felt something was off so I am glad I posted here.

The watch depicted by cineaste is definitely counterfeit. Four of these have shown up on eBay recently from Japanese sellers. One is still up, a "Buy it Now" for $2650. See eBay item number:276253397585. Three were taken down after I informed the seller and eBay that they were counterfeit. I reported the one currently for sale, but it is still there.