GLYCINE WATCHES
Founded in 1914 by Eugène Meylan, Glycine is a Biel/Bienne-based watchmaking company. It is a renowned specialist in mechanical aviators’ and diving watches.
The brand was derived from the name of a Wisteria plant, known as fleur de Glycine in French. In 1954, Glycine introduced the Airman, the most emblematic watch of the company.
During the Swiss watchmaking crisis in 1984, Hans Brechbühler (1927-2010) took over Glycine and revived the company. At that time, he had already been working in the industry for 30 years following initial training in business management. He rebuilt Glycine and strongly influenced the brand, later together with his youngest daughter Katherina.
In 2011, Altus Uhren Holding AG took over the Glycine Watch, and Stephan Lack was appointed as the new CEO. Katherina Brechbühler, daughter of Hans Brechbühler continued to look after the design department.
In 2016, Invicta Watch Group took over Glycine SA. The other watch brands owned by this Florida based, privately-held company are Invicta, Technomarine and S. Coifman.
History/Timeline of Glycine Watches
1914: Eugène Meylan establishes his watch company La Glycine in Biel / Bienne, Switzerland.
1938: Glycine takes part in the first watch trade fair in Basel.
1953: The first AIRMAN series featuring the legendary Felsa 692 movement and a 24-hour display. The last series was produced in 1978 and was succeeded by the quartz era of the Swiss watch industry.
1967: AIRMAN SST – Also known as the Pumpkin, this model was inspired by the first supersonic passenger aircraft flight. The last series was produced in 1978. Launch of Glycine Combat collection.
1968: AIRMAN SST Chronograph – Manufactured in a limited series of probably no more than 100 pieces.
1978: AIRMAN Quartz – A quartz watch in keeping with the spirit of the time, which features an exceptionally strong pacemaker motor.
1984: Hans Brechbühler takes over Glycine and saves it from bankruptcy.
1990: AIRMAN Quartz Worldtimer – Features city coats of arms on the rotating bezel.
1998: AIRMAN 2000 – A follow-on in the style of the original 1953 model, but designed with modern features, which include a sapphire glass, screw crowns, water resistance to 200 m, and a high performance automatic movement.
2001: AIRMAN 46 mm – With its 46 mm diameter, this is a big-size trend-setter.
2002: AIRMAN 7 – With a diameter of 53 mm, this is one of the biggest wrist watches ever made, and is the first watch in the world to simultaneously show four time zones using three independent movements.
2002: AIRMAN 8 – A remake of the 1953 classic, with a 24-hour display and a 36 mm diameter case.
2004: AIRMAN 9 – An all-round world time watch with three time zones and chronographs, and a diameter of 44 mm. The watch’s ambassador is acrobatic pilot Pascale Alajouanine. AIRMAN MLV – Featuring a fluorescent dial and named after the Mauna Loa Volcano, this 42 mm diameter model is manufactured in a 500-piece limited series. AIRMAN Special – A 24-hour model featuring two time zones, just like the first world time watches. The Special’s upper dial is in dark blue and the lower in light blue.
2005: Katharina Brechbühler, daughter of Hans Brechbühler, takes over the management of the company. Launch of AIRMAN 7 Gold in a limited edition of only 50 pieces.
19 June 2010: Hans Brechbühler passes away.
2011: Altus Uhren Holding AG takes over the Glycine Watch. Stephan Lack becomes the CEO.
2014: Glycine celebrates its 100th Anniversary.
2016: Invicta Watch Group takes over Glycine SA.
The flagship collections from the brand are AIRMAN, AIRPILOT, COMBAT and SEA KRAKEN.
