Founded by Eugène Meylan in Bienne (Biel), Switzerland
1930s
Manufacture of small automatic and precision pocket watches
1953
Introducing the “Airman” (pilot’s watch with 24-hour display – legendary)
1960–1980
Airman series, compressor models (AS or FHF caliber)
1990–2016
Revival under Glycine Watch SA – new Airman/Combat series
2016–present
Acquired by Invicta Group, production continues in Biel
Serial numbers & work numbers by time period
historical data (collector comparison / production cycles)
Period
Serial numbers (approximately)
Characteristic works / models
1914 – 1939
< 100,000
Early hand-wound watches, calibers FHF and AS – no Airman logo
1940 – 1955
100,000 – 300,000
Military and dress watches, Aegler / AS 970 / FHF 72 – first "chronometers"
1953 – 1965
300,000 – 500,000
Airman 1st, 2nd Series; AS 1700, AS 1786; 24h dial
1965 – 1980
500,000 – 700,000
Airman "Purist", compressor, caliber AS 1873, AS 1903
1980 – 2000
700,000 – 900,000
Quartz & mechanical movement; ETA 2824 / 2836
from 2000
> 1,000,000 (Italian system)
Airman Base 22, Combat Sub, Laguna; Ref. GL… Numbers
Important calibers with production time
caliber
Manufacturer
production
Typical model
AS 1130
A. Schild
1940–1955
Hand-wound, precise military watches
AS 1700 / 1701
A. Schild
1953–1960
Airman I, 1st series (24 h)
AS 1786
A. Schild
1959–1965
Airman Spec. 24, second series
AS 1873 / 1903
A. Schild
1965–1975
Airman Purist / Compressor
ETA 2783 / 2836 / 2824
ETA
1980–2010
Combat Sub / Airman '90s
GL 293 / GL 224
modified ETA 2824 / 2836
from 2010
Modern series
Sellita SW200-1
Sellita (Swiss Made)
from 2016
current “GL” models (Invicta era)
The rotor or circuit board usually clearly states: AS xxxx or ETA 2824 – you can easily identify the decade by that.
Design features as age indicators
feature
Period
Simple dials, small seconds hand
1910–1930
Small second + central second
1940–1950
24-hour scale with bezel ("Airman")
from 1953
Bezel locking mechanism with small screw at 4 o'clock
1950s–60s
Acrylic glass dome, Day-Date
1960–1970
“Airman Quartz” or “Combat Automatic”
1980–1990
Ref. no. GL0xxx and sapphire crystal
from 2000
Display base with rotor engraving “Glycine Since 1914”
from 2010
Example assignments
Factory & Serial Number
caliber
Model
Year of construction (approx.)
AS 1700 No. 401 235
AS 1700/01
Airman I
1956–1958
AS 1786 No. 483 712
AS 1786
Airman Spec. 24
1962–1964
AS 1903 No. 625 880
AS 1903
Airman Purist
1973–1975
ETA 2836 No. 821 540
2824-2
Combat Sub
1995–2000
GL224 No. 1 124 880
Sellita SW200-1 (mod.)
Airman Base 22 GL0070
2017–2020
History
Glycine was founded in Biel in 1914 by Eugène Meylan . After the Second World War, it was difficult for this small factory to survive on its own against the competition from large watch companies, leading to its merger with Montres Altus SA under the brand name Glycine Altus. Today, the Altus model series is still part of Glycine's watch range. Walter Lange worked for Glycine-Altus for a time; the Altus company supplied wristwatch movements to A. Lange & Söhne.
