Combat SUB 39 Metallic Blue Ref. GL0403

Glycine is making waves. Earlier this year, the brand introduced the Glycine Combat Sub in a new 36mm case diameter, catering to gentlemen with smaller wrist sizes, the ladies, as well as watch enthusiasts that yearned for a vintage-sized dive watch in their collection. There were, of course, people who lamented that 36mm was too small for a dive watch. Enter the brand new Glycine Combat Sub 39 in - you guessed it - a 39mm case. Let’s dive in. 

Glycine Combat SUB 39 Metallic Blue Ref. GL0403

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. 

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. 

GL224 Swiss automatic movement

The Glycine Combat Sub was first reintroduced in the classic 42mm case size and was only available in that size for many years. It is a well-built watch, but of course, the 42mm diameter did not appeal to everyone. Fans of the brand have always wished that Glycine made the Combat Sub in smaller sizes so that everyone can enjoy them. To their full credit, Glycine listened and introduced new case sizes this year.

Measuring 39mm in diameter, the new Glycine Combat Sub 39 Metallic Blue Ref. GL0403 has a lug-to-lug of 46mm and thickness thinness of only 11.5mm! This set of dimensions will surely attract watch enthusiasts that found the other case sizes underwhelming. 

Old-school military-type dial

The case is made of 316L stainless steel and features fine satin-brushed finishing throughout. In spite of its size, the Combat Sub 39 Metallic Blue Ref. GL0403 boasts a hugely impressive 300m of water resistance. That is achieved through the signed screw-down crown and case back. The case also has drilled lugs - which allows for great convenience when it comes to putting the watch on different straps as we all like to do. Being a dive watch, the Glycine Combat Sub 39 features a 120-click, unidirectional dive time bezel that allows you to track dive times or even your daily commute to work. Topping that off is the flat sapphire crystal covering the dial. With 3 layers of inner anti-reflective coating, readability will not be a concern, even in harsh lighting conditions. 

Some people might find black-dialled dive watches too boring and I concur - almost everyone is sporting a black dial diver on their wrist.  Glycine chooses to elevate your typical dive watch with a gorgeous metallic blue bezel insert. The blue adds a pop of colour to an otherwise run-of-the-mill watch. The metallic sheen of the aluminium bezel also has terrific light play and will look good at any angle. 

Unique Curved Lugs for a Comfortable Fit

A combination of circular and baton indices is used, with only the 12 o’clock index being triangular. 24-hour markings can also be found next to the indices, from 13 all the way to 23 at 11 o’clock. A black date wheel is located at 6 o’clock - a useful complication that does not mess up the proportions of the dial - thanks to it being colour matched to the matte black dial. Glycine also deviates from the norm here, using a red date font instead of your usual white font. This additional dash of red further strengthens the character of the Glycine Combat Sub 39 Metallic Blue. The hands are your typical Combat Sub hands - almost Mercedes like but without the lines on the hour hand. Visibility at night will also not be a problem, as the Combat Sub 39 features a generous coating of Swiss Old Radium C3 Superluminova. 

Powering the Combat Sub 39 is the ever-reliable GL224 automatic movement. It is essentially based on the renowned ETA 2824-2 or Selita SW200-1. It has 25/26 jewels, beats at 28,800 BPH and has a power reserve of 38 hours. This movement has endured the test of time and will be reliably ticking away for many years to come.

Swiss Old Radium C3 SuperLuminova

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. 

The whole package of the Glycine Combat Sub 39 Metallic Blue Ref. GL0403 makes it feel like a vintage timepiece, but without the high costs of servicing and fragility. It possesses charming good looks, has a reliable movement and is awfully well built for its price. Nowadays, it is getting increasingly rare for brands in the watch industry to actually listen to their fans and produce watches that they are yearning for. By introducing the Combat Sub in a multitude of sizes, Glycine ensures that everyone who wants a Combat Sub can get a Combat Sub that fits their wrists brilliantly. Kudos to Glycine for being a brand that strives to appeal to everyone and in doing so, standing out amongst its peers as a brand that listens.

Video is not available