Combat SUB 36 Gold Ref. GL0397

Remember when seemingly everyone was spotting a wristwatch that was way too big? Did you gasp in horror whenever someone walks by with a gigantic clock on their wrist? If you answered yes to both questions, then this new Glycine is for you. Recently, the trend has shifted to smaller sized watches and they’re slowly making a comeback. Aware of this, Glycine has slowly introduced different Combat Sub variants with a 36mm case size to meet the growing demand for such watches. This new 36mm Combat Sub is no different. 

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. 

Glycine Combat SUB 36 Gold Ref. GL0397

GL224 Swiss automatic movement

The case is made of 316L stainless steel and a gold PVD coating is applied throughout. It is also entirely satin-brushed. Despite its vintage sizing, the Combat Sub 36 Gold Ref. GL0397 boasts a hugely impressive 300m of water resistance. That is achieved through the signed screw-down crown and case back. The watch also features a 120-click, unidirectional dive time bezel, allowing 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. 

The dial and aluminium bezel insert are both black, with an extra touch of sunburst effect on the dial. Gilt markers are used on the bezel insert while the dial text and Glycine logo are also done in gilt. When done poorly, PVD gold watches look cheap and gimmicky. This is certainly not the case here, as the combination of gilt and black, along with its PVD gold case, gives the timepiece a sophisticated and elegant look. 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 to 23 at 11 o’clock. The date wheel is located at 6 o’clock, a useful complication that does not mess up the proportions of the dial - thanks to it looking just like the baton indices found at 3 and 9’o clock. 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 36 features a generous coating of Swiss C3 Superluminova. 

Unique Curved Lugs for a Comfortable Fit

Powering the Combat Sub 36 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.

Moving away from the dial and case, the Glycine Combat Sub 36 Gold Ref. GL0397 comes on an 18mm stainless steel bracelet. The bracelet is also PVD gold-finished to ensure a smooth transition from case to bracelet. It has brushed outer links and polished centre links, adding a touch of class to a well-sized diver.  A butterfly deployant clasp rounds off the bracelet, elevating the style of the watch.

C3 SuperLuminova

Vintage watches were smaller in size. Big watches soon became the trend and smaller cased watches were scoffed at. But they never go out of style, and now they’re back. The Glycine Combat Sub 36 Gold Ref. GL0397 is the latest 36mm model from the renowned brand. Gold watches are always in trend and now that vintage sizing is in, this is one not to be missed.