Combat SUB 39 PVD Green Ref. GL0408

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 get into it.

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 39 PVD Green Ref. GL0408

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.

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.

GL224 Swiss automatic movement


Measuring 39mm in diameter, the new Glycine Combat Sub 39 PVD Green Ref. GL0408 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.

The case is made of 316L stainless steel and black PVD coating is applied throughout, giving the watch a badass all-black look that does not look out of place in a spy movie. It is also finely satin-brushed finished. Despite its size, the Combat Sub 39 PVD Ref. GL0408 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 matching green 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.

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 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 - matches the  black markings on the matte green 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 PVD. 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.

C3 SuperLuminova

Moving away from the dial and case, the Glycine Combat Sub 39 PVD Green Ref. GL0408 comes on a 20mm military nylon strap in matching green colour. The hardwares on the strap too came in full black PVD treatment, giving the strap and the whole watch a seamless look and maintaining its utilitarian purpose.

The whole package of the Glycine Combat Sub 39 PVD Green Ref. GL0408 exudes a certain subtle attractiveness. All-black watches have an incredibly stealthy look to them and this one is no different. 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.

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