With an offering of a 17.1% discount from MSRP, I quickly put in an order. The model I got is the Glycine Airman SST 43 GMT Automatic Black GL0311. Typical of Gnomon Watches Singapore packaging service, I received the package four days later.
First introduced in 1967, the Glycine SST or “SuperSonic Transport” drew inspiration from the supersonic “Jet Age” in the 1970s during the arrival of jet-powered supersonic airliners such as the Concorde and the Russian Tupolev. Equipped with Felsa Bidyanator automatic movements in a tonneau style case, the watch featured an ingenious AM/PM 24 hour dial and the ability to track a second time zone through an inner-rotating bezel. This convenient feature is utilized by pilots and business travellers alike. This function made Glycine famous.
Bearing a close resemblance to the case shape of the original, the models of the new Glycine Airman SST series which was launched in 2021, are presented in stainless steel, in a shape that rests between a cushion style and tonneau casing.
Below are the models under the series.
For me, the blue dial (GL0310) and the black dial (GL0311) are clear favourites as the dial information is clearly visible. Unfortunately, only the black dial version was available from Gnomon Watches, Singapore.
On the dial itself there are three distinctive timing scales. At the edge is the 24 hours GMT scale with the upper quadrant having a black background and the lower quadrant having a grey quadrant (to signify night and morning periods). Next to it is the train-track minute scale. At every 5th minute, a red triangle is provided. Finally, the hour markers in the form of painted numbers with SuperLuminova luminous paint. Note that the hour marker for 6:00 has been replaced by a rectangular cut aperture for the date. Glycine re-positioned the red triangle above the aperture but pointing downward instead.
I am surprised that Glycine chose a date wheel that has a white background. A negative style date wheel is more appropriate in my opinion.
There are only four lines of text and logo on the dial. All are pointed directly on the dial in white. Meanwhile, the hands have a mixture of designs. The hours hand is an arrowhead design and painted with luminous paint. The minutes hand is a sword design and painted with luminous paint. The seconds hand is a rapier design with circular discs at end and midway to the front of the hand. Only the second disc is painted with luminous paint. Only the GMT hand is fully painted in red and has a thin arrow-like design.
The primary crown with has gear-tooth sides and signed top. The crown in a screw-down and is partially protected as it sets halfway into the casing.
The case-back is a screw-down and has a nice etching in the center. In the photo below, you can also the the short curved lugs which measure 22 mm wide. I would prefer it if there are pass-through lug holes as it would easily facility strap changes.
Underneath the case-back sits the GL293
automatic movement. This movement is essentially the Swiss ETA 2893-2. Operating at 28,800 BPH with hacking and hand winding capabilities, this 25-jewel movement a power reserve of
42 hours. Meanwhile, the watch boasts a water resistance of
200 meters.
The watch comes paired with a 5-piece linked steel bracelet alternating between
brushed and polished surfaces. It uses a butterfly clasp with a signed section.
As highlighted earlier, important areas on the dial has been painted with SuperLuminova. Below is a photo of how the illumination would look in the dark. The hands are sufficiently illuminated but the illumination on the numbers for the hour markers is rather weak.
The Wearing Experience
This watch brings a touch of nostalgia and coolness. It looks bulky but it sits well on my 6.75 inch circumference wrist. Although the dial may look ‘busy’ with a lot of information, the information is not difficult to see.
I really find the vintage design of the GL0311 to be its best feature. If given the choice between this re-make versus the original Airman, I will take the GL0311.
Specifications
Model: GL0311
Year: 2021
Collection: Airman
Series SST
Case Material: Stainless Steel
Case Size: 43 mm
Case Thickness: 11 mm
Lug-to-Lug: 46 mm
Lug Width: 22 mm
Case Back: Screw-down solid steel plate
Crown Type: Screw-down crown at 2:00 and 4:00
Crystal: Flat sapphire with 3 layers of anti-reflective coating on the underside
Dial Color: Black
Luminous Material: SuperLuminova on hands and hour markers
Band Material: Stainless Steel
Band Length: 173.6 mm
Bezel Type: Inner rotating world time bezel controlled by the 2:00 crown
Clasp Type: Butterfly
Function Type: Automatic
Movement
Caliber: GL293
Movement
Jewels: 25
Frequency: 28,800 BPH (4 Hertz)
Power Reserve: Approximately 42 hours
Functions: Central hours; central minutes; central sweeping seconds; central GMT hand; date
Control: Via the 4:00 crown
Water Resistance: 200 meter
Weight: 163 gm
Vendor: Gnomon Watches, Singapore
MSRP: RM4,955.00
Purchase Date: 16 December 2023 (delivered by DHL on 20 December 2023)
Purchase Price: RM4,104.90
Serial Number: 1067591
Warranty: Two (2) years
Photo Gallery