I've had it with Glycine

[KXL]

I just flipped my third Glycine and second Airman Chrono. Never ever ever again. I'm now convinced these guys never try their watches on and actually see how functional they are in the real world. They must do everything under a big magnifying glass. [I have 20/15 vision so it probably isn't the eyes]

I was thrilled with the the look of the SST Chrono and knew I had to have one so I saved up and bought it. When Dennis Smith wrote in his review of the same watch that the lume was weak what he should have said was that it was practically non existent and the watch itself was almost impossible to read at a glance because of the materials and sized font. I studied his review many times and just drooled over the pictures before pulling the trigger and working a fair deal with Joe at Arizona Fine Time [he's an absolute joy to work with].

While the watch looks great in pictures and seems completely legible:



The reality is that as soon as it goes on the wrist it just isn't legible---which in my mind is probably job one of a watch.

Problem 1. The silver sub dials are fantastic for legibility and telling the time elapsed once engaged. The chrono functions work just like the transmission on my Harley---a satisfying clunk when engaged to let you know it's working. The problem from my perspective is that the hands themselves are silver so they just blend right in whenever near one of the silver sub dials---you won't see it in the pictures but I can assure you it's the case in the real world.

Solution: The hands should be either Black [not sure that wouldn't blend in either but it would cause the lume to stand out much better instead of blending in with the silver hands like it does now] or Orange which would go nicely with the pumpkin ring and definitely stand out.

Problem 2. The local time font is WAY too small. This you can see in the pictures---I just had no idea how bad it would be in real life. I know I further caused the issue by choosing a purist version---stupid me thinking if they sold it that way it would actually be functional.

Solution: As you can see the there is more than enough room on the dial to make the font of the local time the same as the pumpkin bezel if they just would have used the empty space on the dial.

Problem 3. The lume. I just don't get it---this is a friggin Airman for Pete's sake. You would think the ONE thing this watch would have is enough lume to be usable in the lowlight conditions the world experiences for about 12 hours a day. I mean it is supposed to be a 24 hour watch. Instead it's completely worthless for half the day unless you're a desk jockey and live your life indoors under bright lights. The hands have a very light coating and fade out within 30 minutes and the 8 lume markers at 2, 4, 8, 10, 14, 16, 20, and 22 are so friggin small they disappear within 15 minutes. The color is the same blue that seems to be the rage these days with almost everyone from Rolex to Blancpain----Glycine just doesn't use much of it.

Solution: Make Airman watches legible at night---like almost every other manufacturer has seemed to figure out. That means design the watch with lume and put enough on it to last...

So after three tries I've finally learned my lesson---never again. I traded up and have ordered a slightly used Fortis B42 Chrono Alarm---can't wait.

A couple of more pics of the Glycine---with the orange leather strap I bought for it:

[Zarith]

It is indeed almost impossible to read the dial.

The numbers are small and the marker are barely visible. To make it even worse the hands use the same color scheme as the dial!

In low visibility environment this watch is simply useless. A fashion accessory.

[Dennis Smith]

Here's my post...
NEW Glycine SST Chronograph....
In which I said...
"Compared to the new Early Bird, which I have been wearing exclusively up to this point, the SST Chrono is more difficult to read the time at a glance (due to smaller markers and sometimes overlapping subdials) but easier to read the date (not sure why...I think the window displays are the same size. Probably has to do with the more prominant location and domed crystal).

I wouldn't count on reading this watch much in the dark, as the lum is a bit thin, and the markers are tiny."


So of course everyone has their point of view, but I thought I addressed your exact concerns pretty clearly.

I don't represent Glycine; am not trying to be a chearleader, I'm just sorry I couldn't help prevent you from a disappointing purchase.

There's a little apples/oranges going on as well...since your dial is a blue degrade, which is never quite as clear as the flat black dial like mine.

[ZIPPER79]

Howdy,

I will have to agree with KXL on the lume being weak!
I just got an Observer and while the hands have the best afterglow the numbers and dots are almost non existent! Looking at the watch you'd think sunglasses would be worn in the dark.

[marzen]

You want the legibility? Go with German Pilot watches.