The Glycine Airman Contemporary Worldtimer is a modern interpretation of one of the most recognizable names in aviation watchmaking. Introduced as part of the contemporary Airman collection, this model combines the historical identity of the original 1953 Airman with the convenience and precision of a Swiss quartz movement, making it particularly suitable for everyday wear and frequent travel.
Designed around the needs of modern travelers, the watch preserves several signature elements of the Airman lineage, including its distinctive locking bezel system and practical second-time-zone functionality. These features, combined with durable construction and a clean pilot-inspired design, make this model an appealing choice for enthusiasts seeking Swiss heritage without the maintenance requirements of a mechanical movement.
Design
The Glycine Airman Contemporary Worldtimer adopts a classic pilot-watch architecture while introducing contemporary proportions and refined finishing. Its 42 mm stainless steel case offers a balanced presence on the wrist, with alternating brushed and polished surfaces that enhance the overall appearance without becoming overly decorative. The gently curved lugs integrate naturally with the strap, maintaining the functional aesthetic traditionally associated with aviation instruments.
One of the defining visual elements is the bidirectional “Double Twelve” bezel, engraved with a complete 12-hour scale instead of the traditional 24-hour format found on many GMT watches. Finished in brushed stainless steel with engraved black numerals, the bezel provides a subtle industrial character while remaining easy to read. A second crown positioned around 4 o’clock serves as the locking mechanism for the rotating bezel, a distinctive Airman feature that has remained part of the collection for decades.
The deep sunburst blue dial immediately attracts attention thanks to its changing reflections under different lighting conditions. Applied luminous hour markers alternate with Arabic numerals positioned at the cardinal points, while smaller printed numerals complete the inner minute track. The gold-colored Glycine logo, minute accents, and “Worldtimer” inscription introduce warm highlights that contrast elegantly with the cool blue background. Broad sword-shaped hour and minute hands, filled with luminous material, reinforce the watch’s utilitarian inspiration, while the slim central seconds hand maintains visual balance. A discreet date window is positioned at 3 o’clock without interrupting the overall symmetry.
Protecting the dial is a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal treated with anti-reflective coating, allowing the dial texture to remain visible in varying lighting conditions. Completing the design is a blue leather strap featuring contrasting tan stitching, adding a contemporary casual touch that softens the technical appearance of the steel case while complementing the dial color perfectly.
Case & Construction
The Glycine Airman Contemporary Worldtimer is built around a stainless steel case measuring 42 mm in diameter, 13.5 mm thick, with a lug-to-lug distance of approximately 50 mm and a 22 mm lug width. These proportions provide sufficient wrist presence while remaining versatile enough for daily wear. The combination of brushed and polished finishing reflects Glycine’s focus on durability while preserving a refined appearance suitable for both casual and business environments.
Its engineering emphasizes reliability as much as aesthetics. The bidirectional rotating bezel is secured through the characteristic screw-lock crown located at approximately 4 o’clock, preventing accidental movement once the desired second time zone has been set. The main crown is screw-down, contributing to the watch’s 100-meter (10 ATM) water resistance. A solid screw-down caseback reinforces structural integrity, while the anti-reflective sapphire crystal provides excellent scratch resistance and long-term durability expected from a modern Swiss tool watch.
Movement
Powering the Glycine Airman Contemporary Worldtimer is the Swiss-made Ronda Caliber 515, a reliable quartz caliber developed for dependable everyday performance. Unlike a mechanical movement that stores energy in a mainspring, the Ronda 515 is battery powered and regulated by a quartz crystal oscillating at 32,768 Hz, delivering highly stable timekeeping with minimal maintenance. The movement features 1 jewel and offers an estimated battery life of approximately 45 months, making it well suited to travelers and users seeking accuracy without the regular servicing associated with mechanical calibers.
The caliber itself provides only the essential indications of hours, minutes, central seconds, and the date. Official specifications indicate an accuracy of approximately −10 to +20 seconds per month, which is typical for quality Swiss quartz movements in this category. Unlike dedicated GMT calibers such as the Ronda 515.24H, the standard Ronda 515 does not include an independent 24-hour hand. On the Airman Contemporary Worldtimer, the second time zone is instead displayed by manually rotating the signature Double Twelve bezel and reading it against the main hour hand, preserving the historic Airman approach to tracking an additional time zone. The movement’s proven robustness, shock resistance, and ease of maintenance have made it one of Ronda’s most widely used Swiss quartz calibers.
Functions & Complications
This Glycine Airman Contemporary Worldtimer focuses on practical functionality rather than elaborate complications. Alongside the standard display of hours, minutes and central seconds, the watch incorporates a date complication positioned at 3 o’clock for everyday convenience.
Its defining feature is the Worldtimer-style second time zone system based on the rotating Double Twelve bezel. By rotating and locking the bezel using the dedicated screw-lock crown, the wearer can quickly reference a second time zone while preserving the familiar readability of a traditional 12-hour dial. This solution reflects the original Airman philosophy of providing useful travel functionality through intuitive mechanical design rather than additional hands or complex mechanisms.
Performance
On the wrist, the Glycine Airman Contemporary Worldtimer offers a reassuring yet comfortable presence. The 42 mm case is substantial without feeling oversized, while the leather strap adapts quickly to the wrist and keeps overall weight moderate. The relatively slim profile for a travel-oriented pilot watch also allows it to slide comfortably beneath a shirt cuff.
Legibility is one of the model’s strongest qualities. The combination of the sunburst blue dial, contrasting luminous hands, applied markers and anti-reflective sapphire crystal ensures excellent visibility under a wide range of lighting conditions. The locking bezel system provides confidence that the selected second time zone will remain unchanged during travel, while the 100-meter water resistance and robust quartz movement make the watch suitable for daily wear, business trips and recreational outdoor activities alike.
Technical Data
Brand: Glycine Watches;
Model: Glycine Airman Contemporary Worldtimer Blue Date (Ref. GL1022);
Year: 2020+;
Case Material: Stainless Steel;
Case Diameter: 42 mm;
Case Thickness: 13.5 mm;
Lug Width: 22 mm;
Lug-to-Lug: 50 mm;
Crystal: Scratch-Resistant Sapphire Crystal with Anti-Reflective Coating;
Water Resistance: 100 m / 330 ft (10 ATM);
Battery Life: 45 months;
Movement: Quartz Watches – Ronda Caliber 515 (Swiss Movement);
Functions: Hours, Minutes, Central Seconds;
Complications: Date Display, Worldtimer / Second Time Zone via Double Twelve Rotating Bezel;
Bracelet / Strap: Blue Leather Strap;
Type: GMT Watches, Military Watches, Pilot Watches, Sports Watches, Tool Watches, Travel Watches, Worldtimer Watches;
Sex: Men’s Watches;
Nationality: Swiss Watches.
Retail Price (Launch): €1,130 / $1,295.
The Glycine Airman Contemporary Worldtimer demonstrates how a historic aviation watch can be successfully adapted for modern everyday use without abandoning its identity. While the original Airman became famous among military and commercial pilots during the early jet age, this model translates that heritage into a practical quartz-powered travel watch with reliable Swiss engineering, excellent durability and intuitive second-time-zone functionality.
Its distinctive locking bezel, recognizable Airman styling and dependable Ronda movement give the watch a clear identity within Glycine’s collection. For collectors interested in aviation-inspired design, frequent travelers seeking practical functionality, or anyone looking for a robust Swiss daily wearer, the Airman Contemporary Worldtimer offers an effective balance of historical character, modern convenience and long-term reliability.
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