Airman Alert

Purchased this GMT about a week ago. Since I have several multi-time-zone trips coming up this year, my goal was to find an inexpensive travel watch. Specifically, something rugged that could be lost, stolen, or damaged and it wouldn’t be a tragedy. I could certainly use my Casioak for that purpose (and probably will at times), but I’ve never owned a GMT, and was curious to see how useful it would be to be able to view the different times at glance.

This watch is not a typical GMT, as it uses a small whole subdial clock instead of a GMT hand, and also has a moveable locking bezel which can be used to track a third time zone.

Specs:

Model GL0151 (2021)

42mm

L2L 50 mm

14mm thick

22mm strap

Ronda 6203 caliber

What I like:

Sapphire and 200 m wr.

12 o’clock double date window

(not for everyone I realize).

Unique bezel lock system which is true to earlier Glycine pilots.

Color, design, and symmetry of the dial.

Stainless steel bezel (have wanted one).

Subdial clock is interesting and different.

Cool biplane design on case back.

Finish seems excellent, and leather strap decent, for the price I paid.

Pretty good lume.

Smaller than some other Airman models.

The Glycine site insanely lists this watch for the equivalent of around $2K USD, so my gray market discount was > 90%.

Don’t have to worry about caller vs traveler GMT (not sure this watch fits either category).

What I like less:

The protruding three screw-down crowns at 2, 3, and 4 will take some getting used to visually.

I would have preferred a 24 hour bezel rather than the current 12/12 configuration, I think it would have added more utility for me.

Hour and minute hands can obstruct the subdial (e.g., at 6:30).

Still a larger, thicker, and heavier watch than I typically prefer.

The strap almost fits me, but I can’t stand even slight looseness, especially with a heavy watch. Not the watch’s fault obviously. Have already ordered a brushed shark mesh bracelet.

I very much enjoy the appearance and functionality so far, but I’m looking forward to seeing if it becomes more wearable for me with the mesh bracelet.

Anybody else own this model?