A day with an icon
There are plenty of pretenders to the status of being an icon, but my GL0162 Airman is probably one of the few with a legitimate claim of being an actual icon.
However, owning an icon and living with one are two different things. My pair of 70's HD424 headphones are a classic example of an icon that should have remained in a museum, because despite it's funky looking yellow pancake foam pads and it's history of being the first great open headphones, and being one of the reasons for the fame that Sennheiser still enjoys today - they are irrelevant and unusable.
Any modern pair of headphones would simply destroy them in any casual listening contest, even if the HD424 were paired to a 70's amplifier with a "hot" headphone jack.
But this is not the case with my GL0162 Glycine Airman No. 1. It may look like a relic from the 60's, but inside beats a modern movement and the manufacturing quality is on par with everything that the 21'st century has to offer.
It still managed to preserve everything that made its ancestor such a great watch that went to space. From the thin case to the clear acrylic crystal this is a watch that is a pleasure to wear and a joy to use. The monochrome dial is extremely legible and useful, and you can really track 3 separate time zones with the help of the bezel that has a simple but effective lock mechanism. It does have some faults, since nothing is really perfect, but none that really matter.
I'm sure that there are other GMT watches with an equally legitimate claim to the status of an icon, but you see - the Airman was there first.
I'm a big fan of watches that are interesting because they are either unique, have interesting features, well designed or simply offer a great value for their price.
Beautiful watch!
Yeah. I might need to replace my Airman with this one... Eventually
Yeah. I might need to replace my Airman with this one... Eventually
Every Airman is a good Airman. No rush.
This is one of those watches that stays on my radar. I haven’t felt the need to actually purchase one yet, but the interest never really goes away.
Every Airman is a good Airman. No rush.
Yup, I love my current one, but this model has better hands (broad arrow with a tail!) and the 24-hour dial so it would be a unique look.
But no rush at all. It'll be there when I'm ready.
I like that model very much. I found that I like the DC-4 more though.
For clarity’s sake this is an old pic. I’m adhering to all of the #1wc rules.
I'm a Sennheiser TW Momentum 3 fan... So I approve of this message. I wish audio companies made modern re-interpretations of classic kit.
I like that model very much. I found that I like the DC-4 more though.
For clarity’s sake this is an old pic. I’m adhering to all of the #1wc rules.
And yet, the post tag is for another day, another watch (to make the silly contest go away).
The DC4 is a solid choice but my interests are leaning more toward neo vintage and retro and therefore the No. 1 was a better choice for me.
I'm a Sennheiser TW Momentum 3 fan... So I approve of this message. I wish audio companies made modern re-interpretations of classic kit.
The HD424 has a hilariously high impedance, something like 2000Ω IIRC, it's basically impossible to drive with any modern headphone amplifier, even my Violectric HPA V200 is choking when driving it.
The HD424 has a hilariously high impedance, something like 2000Ω IIRC, it's basically impossible to drive with any modern headphone amplifier, even my Violectric HPA V200 is choking when driving it.
I'm a listener more than a tech guy... I know what I like, and what I dislike. Sennheiser makes kit I like, as does Klipsch.
I'm the "Rolex" guy when it comes to audio kit.
I'm a listener more than a tech guy... I know what I like, and what I dislike. Sennheiser makes kit I like, as does Klipsch.
I'm the "Rolex" guy when it comes to audio kit.
In this case steer clear of the HD424. I got mine as NOS because I wanted to own something I used as a teenager during the 70's, but really, get a HD600 or 650 if you like Sennheiser or a Focal Elex from Drop if you want something better.
I'm with you on that! My airman #1 gives me all the vintage feels with modern tech.
God tier watch.
What a handsome watch!
Does it have a 24hr layout or are they just for the GMT function?
I just love this airman and is not easy to find nowadays.
By pure coincidence,I have just seen thus forum and loaded my favourite watch, a Svalbard 1 handed purist; and then yours was 1 of the1st posts I saw. Not enough people even know what a purist watch is. 👍
What a handsome watch!
Does it have a 24hr layout or are they just for the GMT function?
The 24hr layout is for the GMT hand, the hour's hand is a standard 12hr twice a day hand.
Glycine does have GMT with a 24hr hour's hand and they are called "purist:. The purist models don't usually have an additional GMT hand.
I just love this airman and is not easy to find nowadays.
Glycine are still manufacturing and selling Airman models, for example the GL0370 and GL0372 are very close to mine, but with a more correct 36mm size and a sapphire crystal. The GL0371 and GL0373 are the 36mm purist versions.
And yet, the post tag is for another day, another watch (to make the silly contest go away).
The DC4 is a solid choice but my interests are leaning more toward neo vintage and retro and therefore the No. 1 was a better choice for me.
Saw the Airman and ignored the tags….oh well.
Memories. I had a pair of HD 414 when I was in high school. Now I have some AKG K-240 (wired, a carryover from my years as a radio DJ) and a pair of Symphonized Wraith 2.0 in Zebrawood.
ON TOPIC: Love the Glycine, what a cool watch to own!
Glycine are still manufacturing and selling Airman models, for example the GL0370 and GL0372 are very close to mine, but with a more correct 36mm size and a sapphire crystal. The GL0371 and GL0373 are the 36mm purist versions.
I know but the 36mm looks like a toy in my 21,5cm wrist. Despite that I am still thinking about getting the airman chief!!
I do find the 24 hour indication a bit annoying at times but still very cool....
I do find the 24 hour indication a bit annoying at times but still very cool....
The only major annoyance that I have with the dial of my Airman No. 1 is the GMT hand that can be mistaken too easily for the minute's hand.
otherwise it's fine. Reading the time on a dial with just 24Hr markings has never been a problem for me.