A Complete Guide to Buying a Glycine Combat Sub in 2021

In the past few years, the Glycine Combat Sub has become one of the most in-demand watches on the market. Since its release in 2016, it has become one of Glycine’s top collections, with unique features and excellent craftsmanship that enables it to remain competitive in the crowded dive watch market. 

Watch enthusiasts would probably agree that the Glycine Combat Sub’s design is somewhat similar to that of the Rolex Submariner. However, make no mistake: the Glycine Combat Sub may look a little like the Rolex Submariner, but as a whole package, it is definitely its own thing. It is a quality Swiss-made timepiece, with distinct quirks and features of its own, allowing it to easily stand out from other dive watches. Learn more about this collection and its brand in the sections below.

The Glycine Combat Sub Collection Features and Functions

The specifications of the Combat Sub watches are more than what you would expect for a $400 purchase. It’s not only just about the materials they are made from, but also about the quality craftsmanship that goes into each Combat Sub timepiece.

Case

We will begin with the first thing that almost everyone checks in a timepiece. The Combat Sub’s case, which provides sturdy protection for the watch, is amazing. These are the specifications of the case:

• Stainless steel material
• 42.2mm-48mm case diameter
• 50mm lug to lug tip
• 22mm lug width
• 10.5mm thickness

Glycine has come up with a classic sporty look for the Combat Sub pieces. The 10.5mm thickness makes this one of the thinnest cases you could possibly add to your collection. Sporty watches like this tend to have cases that range from 14mm to 18mm thickness, which can be quite bulky if you have a smaller wrist and can be inconvenient for long periods of use. The Glycine Combat Sub’s thinner case makes it perfect for those seeking a sleeker, slimmer design. 

The stainless steel case ranges from 42mm to 48mm in diameter, depending on which model you’re looking at. The range of case sizes offered is enough to fit wrists of all sizes. The 50mm lug to lug tip is well-fitted and guaranteed to match the way the case spans across the wrist. The sides of the lugs are cleanly polished, giving the watch a well-built, professional look.

The thin golden crown of the Glycine Combat Sub bears the logo of the brand. It is built to provide additional protection to the watch, which is great if you regularly go out for outdoor activities, as it can withstand greater impacts. 

Bezel

While some other watches have 120-click bezels, the Glycine Combat Sub contains 60-clicks on the rotation. Many watch connoisseurs prefer this as it offers high precision and is more affordable than a 120-click bezel. 

The bezel of the Combat Sub is unidirectional, and certain models feature a PVD layer for extra protection. Although not every variant of the Combat Sub has bezels that are made out of stainless steel, all Combat Sub bezels do come with an aluminium insert and a narrow coin-edge rim. The flatter build of the bezel provides a very tight grip with no back play at all, so you don’t have to worry about the bezel coming loose. The standard dial markers on the bezel align perfectly with numbers at 10-minute intervals. Another feature that can be found on the bezel is the small raised nub on the ring edge at the 12:00 o’clock position. This nub serves as a marker that you can feel for in case you are having trouble lining up the bezel while diving or in the dark. 

Dial

One feature that watch enthusiasts always pay close attention to in a watch is its dial. In the Glycine Combat Sub collection, every model has a uniquely designed dial that comes in a variety of colours. Most Combat Sub models, however, have matte black, blue, or white finish with blue dials as their primary offerings. All of these dials are made from stainless steel and are designed with brushed sunrays to give the dials a luxurious look that resembles older, classic timepieces.

The dials also have smaller Arabic hour markers that provide wearers with a 24-hour time display. The indices of the Combat Sub are designed as minimalistic blocks and dots. The hour, minute, and second hands of the Combat Sub are a little thinner compared to other sports watches, giving this watch a more elegant look. All these markers have luminous material applied to them and provide good legibility so you are able to read the time during all sorts of circumstances. 

A date window display can be found on the dial at the 3 o’clock position. The date display of the Combat Sub is a little small and can be difficult to read. Although we would prefer a traditional day and date display for greater convenience, we cannot deny that the Combat Sub’s thin and framed date display makes the dial look clean and uncluttered.

Additionally, the Combat Sub offers three layers of anti-reflection coating on its sapphire crystal. This is a serious edge over other brands since the Combat Sub’s sapphire crystal is well built with no curved or dome reflections even at sharp angles, making for excellent readability. 

As a finishing touch, the Glycine logo is placed just below the 12 o’clock position, marking this as a classic Glycine timepiece. 

Bracelet

The Combat Sub primarily features a three-linked stainless steel bracelet with a slightly curved shape. The typical micro-adjustments can be found on the clasp, along with milling, signed, push-button clasp to help it fit on anyone’s wrist well.  The bracelet measures about 20mm to 22mm in length. That being said, the Combat Sub offers a wide variety of straps that come in different materials and colours, so you can simply select a different style according to your desired preferences. 

With several models available in the Glycine Combat Sub collection, the different bracelets and straps available include:

• Silicone band
• Textured leather band
• Fabric style leather
• Pilot strap
• NATO-style nylon band
• Stainless steel bracelet

Movement

The Swiss ETA 2824 automatic movement powers most of the timepieces in this collection. Others refer to this movement as the GL224 Swiss automatic movement. It is a high-performing calibre movement that has been proven to have high accuracy and reliability. One added advantage of the 2824 automatic movement is that it is a popular one, used by many brands for their watches. So, if by any chance something goes wrong with your movement, it is extremely easy to find an experienced watchmaker capable of fixing your 2824 automatic movement.

The Combat Sub watches offer functions such as a time display at +20 spd, 38 hours power reserve, a date complication, and a hacking feature that other mid-range watches rarely offer. 

Specifications of the GL224 Movement

• Frequency: 28,800 BPH
• Jewel count: 25 (ETA) or 26 (Sellita)
• Base caliber: ETA 2824-2 or Sellita SW200-1
• Hacking: Yes
• Hand-winding: Yes

Additionally, the GL224 Swiss automatic movement is not used in all of the Combat Sub watches. The timepieces in this collection can be classified into three different categories, each with its own type of movement:

• Mechanical – a manual winding, spring-driven mechanism used commonly used in old timepieces.
• Automatic – used by modern watches that wind automatically using the kinetic energy from your wrist.
• Quartz – a traditional battery-powered movement.

Water Resistance

The Glycine Combat Sub is equipped with 200-metre water resistance. This allows you to engage in a number of underwater activities, such as scuba diving at depths not needing helium gas, poolside diving, jet-skiing, snorkelling, and swimming. Some Combat Sub models are even equipped with up to 300 metres of water resistance. Thus, if you’re looking for a smart everyday watch that could also double as a dive watch, the Glycine Combat Sub is an ideal piece for you.

Colour Choices

Glycine has explored an assortment of different colour combinations in their watches to come up with a wide range of options for the Combat Sub. Whether it’s the Combat Sub’s straps, bezels, or dials, you will have an array of choices that you can customise to create with your perfect watch. Here are the colour choices offered:

Straps or Bracelets

• Black
• Black and white
• Blue
• Brown
• Navy green
• Blue and red
• Black and yellow
• Silver
• Silver and gold

Bezels

• Blue 
• Black
• Red
• Green
• Brown
• Bronze
• Matte black

Dials

• White
• Black
• Blue
• Green

Top Glycine Combat Sub Watches

Glycine Combat Sub watches have a lot of purchase-worthy options with features and functions to match your needs. Plus, all of them come at reasonable prices so you won’t ever have to break the bank to buy a Combat Sub watch. Here are some of the top-selling Combat Sub timepieces that you can choose from:

Glycine Combat Sub 42

Two of the best-selling watches in the Glycine Combat Sub 42 are the COMBAT SUB 42 GL0081 and the COMBAT SUB 42 GL0088. Both watches are powered by Glycine GL224 movement with hacking and hand winding features. It runs at 28,800 BPH (4 Hertz) with a power reserve of 38 hours, which makes this a good find for a dive watch. 

The beautiful COMBAT SUB 42 GL0081 timepiece, which can be bought for $1,300, is made from 16L stainless steel. This piece features a unidirectional rotating bezel and a blue-toned dial enclosed within a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal. If you’re in the market for a men’s watch, this would be a great choice since it comes with a measurement of 42mm diameter and 11.5mm thickness, which is a comfortable dimension for all wrist sizes. The short lugs to lugs length of 49.5mm firmly hold the yellow gold and silver stainless steel bracelet in place. 

The exterior of the watch is satin-brushed on top and well-polished on all sides. The transition between the brushed dial to the polished stainless steel case is finely crafted, and the blue bezel and gold PVD coating adds to the beguiling look of the piece. This piece also comes with three layers of anti-reflective coating, which makes the readability of the watch great regardless of whatever lighting conditions you are in. 

The COMBAT SUB 42 GL0088 is another highly popular choice amongst the Glycine Combat Sub watches. The colour combinations of silver, black, and orange make the watch stand out well while also giving it a slightly playful aura. For a price of $1,100, it also offers you a case made from 316L stainless steel that is 42mm long in diameter and 11mm thick. Its matte black dial matches the white Arabic numerals that are generously filled with C1 SuperLuminova for a superb glow-in-the-dark effect. 

The hour, minute, and second hands are outlined with orange and filled with C1 SuperLuminova. Aside from the delightful colour combination of the watch itself, the signed black silicone strap adds to its sharp appearance. This kind of strap is perfect for sports activities and versatile enough to be worn at virtually any event. 

Glycine Combat Sub 46

The Glycine Combat Sub 46 timepieces are the medium-sized models of the series. Just like other Combat Sub watches, these models are powered by the GL224 Swiss automatic movement.

The watch that is nicknamed “Captain Marvel” is the Ref. GL0257. Its blue, red, and silver colour combination perfectly match the comic book superhero’s iconic colour scheme. Even at first glance, everyone would agree that the blue-red-blue Pilot fabric NATO-style strap is an eye-catching feature. This is because most wristwatches’ straps use plainer black rubber or silver stainless steel. As such, the brightly-coloured fabric strap of the Ref. GL0257 really makes it stand out from the crowd. 

Just like the other watches in this series, the Ref. GL0257 has a slim profile and a medium-sized 46mm case, which does not feel obscenely large when worn on the wrist. The dial highlights the applied indices, filled with satisfying bright luminescence that glows in the dark for better legibility. It has an approximate price of $1,400 only.

The COMBAT SUB 46 GL0288 is the remarkable matte black version of the Glycine Combat Sub. This piece comes with a smaller case size of 46mm x 10.15mm diameter. The matte black PVD-coated stainless steel case and matte black rubber strap are great designs for a versatile watch that can be paired with any fashion style. The unidirectional black bezel has 120 clicks and is completed by minimalistic white numerals on its surface and a black aluminium insert. 

All the hour markers and hands are covered with light green Super-LumiNova C3 for enhanced visibility. The 300 metres of water resistance this watch offers will allow you to wear it in the rain and to any other water activities that you enjoy. This matte black watch from the Combat Sub series is worth $1,500 only.

Glycine Combat Sub 48

The Glycine Combat Sub 48 models are the newest additions to this collection. The watches below are also powered by the highly precise GL224 Swiss automatic movement:

The COMBAT SUB 42 GL0200 has a bronze-hued unidirectional turning bezel with an aluminium ring. It is paired with a blue dial and a versatile brown calf leather fabric strap that matches the bezel, crown, and lugs. Its large indices and hands are framed with gold plating to give additional luminescence and visibility when needed. This model also contains an eye-catching red-coloured seconds hand that adds to the watch’s classic look. 

For a price of $1, 300, this version gives a slightly larger case size that measures 48mm in diameter. The date aperture is enclosed within a small square frame that is positioned at the three o’clock position. The numerals and the frame of the date display are all painted white to contrast against the black background of the dial, such that the date display stands out better and can be easily read at a glance. 

Take a look at a black and silver version of the Combat Sub 48 collection with the Ref. GL0095. This men’s timepiece features a 48mm stainless steel case with a black dial and a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal. The case is matched with a 24mm stainless steel integrated bracelet, giving the wearer both comfort and an aura of professionalism. 

A quick look at this watch will reveal to you the smoothness with which the hands turn, providing the wearer with a high degree of precision and reliable timekeeping, which is a vital function in a wristwatch. This variant of the Combat Sub features an automatic movement that runs at 28800 A/h. It also comes with 200m water resistance, so you can easily take this timepiece with you to recreational water activities.  This is one of the most affordable pieces that you can buy for around $1,100. 

Glycine Combat Sub Vintage

If you are looking for vintage models of the Glycine Combat Sub to collect, then you should check the Combat Sub Vintage watches. Since these are vintage models, Glycine offers these timepieces at slightly higher prices, although you are unlikely to find one that costs more than $1,500.

The COMBAT 42 VINTAGE GL0269 is one of the best-selling vintage models. This is an all-black wristwatch that is also powered by GL224 Swiss automatic movement. A quick look at this piece reveals a 42mm scratch-resistant sleek black case with a “sandy” textured dial that is inspired by designs from the early 60s. 

It has an all-black rubber strap that is attached to downward curving lugs, allowing the watch to sit perfectly on the wrist without feeling too heavy. This men’s watch is equipped with a 60 click unidirectional turning bezel with a coloured aluminium ring. The indices, numerals, and hands set are all fitted with Super-LumiNova® Light Old Brown for good legibility in the dark. And just like the previous model, you can buy this for $1,100 only.

Tips Before Buying A Watch

You never want anything to go wrong when purchasing something as important as your perfect timepiece. With that in mind, we’ve made you a brief list of tips and things you need to take note of when buying a watch:

• Set aside a budget

When setting a budget, you have to know what you are looking for in a watch and how much you are willing to spend. 

Know that high-end watches will cost you more than thousands of dollars. However, mid-range watches, like most of the pieces in the Glycine Combat Sub collection, are very affordable. They range from $1,000 to $1,500 while still providing you with high-quality materials and essential functions. One exception to this in the Glycine Combat Sub range is the Glycine Combat Sub Vintage. The Combat Sub Vintage features specifically vintage watches, which tend to be slightly pricier, and can go up to more than $1000.

• Get yourself informed

Whether you are a beginner or a long-time watch collector, you have to be well-informed about the watch that you are planning to buy. Learn about its brand, movement, materials used, case size, etc. Know where and how it is made so that you will know exactly what you are paying for. 

• Know your wrist size

A wearer’s greatest nightmare is realising that the watch they have purchased cannot fit comfortably on their wrist. Know what your wrist size is and what cases suit you best. Case sizes with 39mm to 42mm are the more standard sizes that can fit on almost everyone’s wrists. Sizes between 44mm to 47mm are slightly larger and carry more heft. Watches with case sizes greater than 48mm are probably meant for those with large wrists and can be quite bulky. 

• Know your needs

Assuming you are not a watch collector but a wearer seeking a functional everyday watch, be familiar with your daily needs. If you tend to spend most of your time indoors and rarely engage in physical activity, you would likely prefer to wear a classic dress watch. If you’re regularly engaging in outdoor activities and sports events, then you might want to look at a sports watch like the Glycine Combat Sub instead.

• Buy from a reliable store

More than just seeing pictures of the display models and joining online communities of watch enthusiasts, you have to make sure that the store you are buying is reliable and guaranteed to have authentic watches. Check out TheWatchCompany if you’re interested in affordable watches and hassle-free transactions. It is an online, tax-free shop that carries everything from prestigious watch brands such as Rolex and Cartier to mid-range options like Seiko. 

Final Thoughts

Many of the excellent specifications we have noted above come directly from the brand itself. Many people admire the collection’s features at affordable prices. Most of the things that you see from more expensive watches can also be found in the Glycine Combat Sub. Almost all of the Glycine Combat Sub’s reviews are full of admiration and enthusiasm. If you’re in the market for a new sports watch, look no further; the Glycine Combat Sub collection is sure to have something for you. 

Looking for the perfect dress watch to accompany you to your formal event? Check out our article on 6 Dress Watches For Men To Complete Your Look.

Photo credits: All photos courtesy of Glycine’s official website.