Is your Glycine
the real deal?
Glycine has been making Swiss aviation watches since 1914, with the legendary Airman 24-hour watch as its flagship. Here's how to verify authenticity and spot counterfeits.
How to authenticate a Glycine
24-Hour Dial Layout
On the Airman, the dial should display 24 hours (0-24 or 1-24) with the hour hand making one full rotation per day. The numerals must be evenly spaced, printed with precision, and aligned perfectly with their indices. Fakes often have uneven spacing or a standard 12-hour dial mislabeled as an Airman.
Movement Quality & Markings
Glycine uses Swiss automatic movements (ETA 2893, Sellita SW200, or in-house calibers). The caseback or movement should be engraved with "Swiss Made," the caliber number, and Glycine branding. Counterfeits use cheap Asian movements with no markings or fake engravings that are shallow and poorly executed.
Case Finishing
Genuine Glycine watches feature brushed, polished, or bead-blasted cases with consistent, high-quality finishing. Lugs, case sides, and bezels should have clean, sharp transitions between surfaces. Counterfeits often have uneven polishing, rough edges, or mismatched finishing patterns that betray low-quality manufacturing.
Dial Text & Logo
The Glycine logo (a winged emblem) and dial text must be sharply printed with crisp edges. The words "Glycine," "Airman," "Swiss Made," and any reference numbers should use the correct font, size, and spacing. Fakes frequently misspell words, use the wrong typeface, or apply text that is blurry or crooked.
Lume Quality
Glycine uses Super-LumiNova on modern watches for bright, long-lasting glow (green or blue-green). Lume should be applied evenly to indices and hands with no overflow or gaps. Vintage models may have aged tritium (yellow-orange patina). Counterfeits have weak, short-lived lume that may appear uneven or glow the wrong color.
Serial Number & Reference Number
Glycine engraves serial and model reference numbers on the caseback or between the lugs. The engraving should be deep, precise, and use a consistent font. Check the serial number against Glycine's database or contact Glycine directly for verification. Fakes often have missing, shallow, or obviously fake serial numbers.
Glycine counterfeit warning signs
Incorrect 24-Hour Gearing
On a genuine Airman, the hour hand completes one full rotation in 24 hours. If the hour hand moves twice as fast (completing two rotations per day like a normal watch), it's either a fake Airman or a standard 12-hour Glycine model with an incorrect dial print.
Poor Crown Action
Glycine crowns screw down smoothly with precise threading and pull out to two or three positions (date, time, hacking seconds). If the crown feels loose, cross-threads easily, or doesn't have crisp detents between positions, it's likely a counterfeit with low-quality components.
Suspiciously Low Price
Glycine Airman models retail for $500–$1,500 new, with vintage pieces fetching $300–$2,000 depending on condition. If you encounter a "Glycine Airman" for under $200, especially on an unverified platform, it's almost certainly a counterfeit. Always buy from authorized dealers or verified pre-owned sellers.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the Glycine Airman's special feature?
The Glycine Airman is famous for its 24-hour dial, introduced in 1953 to help pilots track time across multiple time zones. Instead of the hour hand making two full rotations per day, it makes only one, with a full 24-hour scale around the dial. Many Airman models also feature a rotating 24-hour bezel or a second GMT hand for tracking a second time zone.
Is Glycine still a Swiss brand?
Yes, Glycine remains a Swiss brand. Founded in 1914 in Bienne, Switzerland, it was acquired by Invicta Watch Group in 2016. While ownership has changed, Glycine watches are still assembled in Switzerland and carry Swiss Made certification on their dials and movements.
How can I tell if my Glycine watch is vintage?
Vintage Glycine watches from the 1950s–1980s typically feature smaller case sizes (36-38mm), acrylic crystals, manual-wind or early automatic movements, radium or tritium lume (which may have aged to a cream or brown color), and dial text that reads 'Glycine Genève' or 'Glycine Watch Co.' Modern Glycine watches use 'Glycine Swiss Made' and have sapphire crystals and larger case diameters.