Glycine
airman 1 special aopa homologation - gmt box set

Glycine Airman Special Watch circa 1968 — the legendary pilot watch worn by the heroes of the sky, now available at Mostra Aix-en-Provence

Vintage Pilot’s Watch — first-generation Glycine Airman Special box-set model from 1968. This model represents the first evolution of the original 1957 Airman. Its development was prompted by the tremendous success of the original release. Popular among both civil and military aviators, Glycine made a particular effort to equip this version for the North American market with a 17-jewel AS 2105 movement that was easier to maintain — a decisive factor that led the AOPA to recommend this model over the Breitling Navitimer (you can read more about its story by following this link), which no longer met the expectations of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association at the time. This watch’s evolution into the supersonic era later gave rise to the SST edition (whose story is available here).

The Glycine Airman Special first-generation pilot’s watch is a true collector’s item, embodying Glycine’s excellence and innovation in timepieces tailored for aviation. This 1968 box-set version marks the first refinement of the iconic Airman model introduced in 1957. Due to its early success among both military and civilian pilots, Glycine enhanced this version specifically for the American market with the robust and service-friendly AS 2105 17-jewel movement. Thanks to this technical upgrade, the Airman Special became the AOPA’s reference watch — even surpassing the legendary Breitling Navitimer in pilot preference at the time.

The Airman Special made history as a preferred timepiece for US Air Force pilots during the Vietnam War. Period photographs frequently show this watch on the wrists of aviators, who appreciated its durability and accuracy. Its moderate size for a pilot watch, with a 37mm stainless steel case, also made it a favorite among pioneering female test pilots, who chose it over iconic models like the Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch.

Among its technical features, the Airman Special stands out for its 24-hour dial designed for optimal readability, with tritium-enhanced luminescent numerals. Its locking rotating bezel of the Weems type, inspired by US Army Air Corps and US Navy pilot watches from WWII, features a locking mechanism to adjust the GMT hand. This automatic watch also has a date window at 3 o'clock and dual-time functionality, ideal for pilots and frequent flyers of the supersonic jet age.

This exceptional vintage watch, sold at Mostra Aix-en-Provence, comes with its original leather strap, signed steel pin buckle, and original box and papers. At Mostra, buying a pre-owned watch means guaranteed quality through expert watchmaker inspections, a dedicated customer service team to assist you, and full transparency on the condition and authenticity of each piece. If you're looking for a vintage timepiece rich in history and in excellent condition, the Glycine Airman Special is an outstanding choice — now available at Mostra Aix-en-Provence. Its compact size also made it the go-to choice for female test pilots in various air forces, who favored it over the Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch chronograph.

Automatic watch with date, 24-hour dial, GMT hand with locking rotating Weems-type bezel — a mechanism inherited from WWII pilot watches used by the US Army Air Corps and US Navy. This watch is emblematic of the transition era toward day/night flight instrument readability in the jets of the 1950s and the growing need to track changing time zones in air travel. The dial’s visibility is enhanced by tritium-lumed numerals. The 37mm steel case has a screw-down back, is dust-resistant and shockproof. The screw-down crown operates like a Rolex Turn-O-Graph and adjusts the GMT hand.