Best Watch Winder for Glycine | Tempus
Founded in 1914 in Biel by Eugène Meylan, Glycine earned its legend in 1953 with the Airman — a 24-hour watch built for Pan Am pilots crossing time zones, with a rotating bezel that tracked a second zone. It became a cult classic among military and civilian aviators, and the Airman remains the brand's beating heart.
The modern Airman 42 keeps the 24-hour dial and GMT functionality, while the Combat Sub 42 brings the same honest Swiss automatic engineering to a 300m dive watch. Both run on robust Swiss automatic calibres at a middle-of-the-road winding spec — straightforward, unfussy, and easy to keep running.
Glycine TPD Requirements
Glycine automatics — Airman and Combat Sub alike — settle at 725 TPD in bi-directional mode. A standard, middle-range setting any quality winder handles with ease.
| Model | Recommended Setting |
|---|---|
| Glycine Airman 42 | 725 TPD, bi-directional |
| Glycine Combat Sub 42 | 725 TPD, bi-directional |
| Most other Glycine automatics | 725 TPD, bi-directional |
Tap any model above for its full settings page, including setup advice.
What to Look for in a Winder for Glycine
A Glycine asks little of a winder: 725 TPD bi-directional, a secure holder, quiet running. Every Tempus winder delivers all three winding directions, per-rotor programming and a 3-year warranty — more than enough for Airman and Combat Sub alike.
Tempus Picks for Glycine Owners
Tempus 12 Biometric (£2096)
The flagship — twelve individually programmed rotors with fingerprint security, for collections that keep expanding.
Tempus 2 Biometric (£446)
A compact, secure home for two automatics — fingerprint access keeps your rotation protected, with independently programmable TPD on each rotor.
Tempus 4 Biometric (£971)
Our most popular multi-watch unit — four individually controlled rotors behind a fingerprint-secured lid. Ideal for a growing collection.
Why Glycine Owners Use a Winder
The Airman's whole reason for existing is the second time zone — and a stopped Airman means re-setting the 24-hour hand against home time before every trip. A winder keeps the GMT honest so the watch is flight-ready the moment you are. Combat Sub owners get the simpler version of the same benefit: time and date, always correct, zero crown-twisting.
Single vs Multi-Watch for Glycine
An Airman as your travel watch plus a daily wearer is the classic two-watch rotation — the two-watch biometric unit was made for exactly this. Add a Combat Sub for weekends and the 4-watch unit keeps the full set ticking in one footprint.
Frequently Asked Questions
What TPD setting does a Glycine need?
The Airman 42 and Combat Sub 42 both need 725 TPD in bi-directional mode. Set your Tempus winder to 725 TPD bi-directional and your Glycine will stay perfectly wound.
Is a winder useful for a GMT like the Airman?
Very. The Airman's 24-hour hand must be re-synchronised to home time every time the watch stops. A winder keeps it running so the second zone stays correct between trips.
Can Tempus winders handle Glycine's winding direction?
Yes. Glycine calibres wind bi-directionally, and Tempus winders offer clockwise, counter-clockwise and bi-directional modes — all covered.
What warranty do Tempus winders carry?
Every Tempus watch winder includes a 3-year warranty. Tempus can also repair any Tempus-brand winder even after the warranty period has ended.
For model-specific settings, see our TPD settings guide.
What TPD setting does a Glycine need?
The Airman 42 and Combat Sub 42 both need 725 TPD in bi-directional mode. Set your Tempus winder to 725 TPD bi-directional and your Glycine will stay perfectly wound.
Is a winder useful for a GMT like the Airman?
Very. The Airman's 24-hour hand must be re-synchronised to home time every time the watch stops. A winder keeps it running so the second zone stays correct between trips.
Can Tempus winders handle Glycine's winding direction?
Yes. Glycine calibres wind bi-directionally, and Tempus winders offer clockwise, counter-clockwise and bi-directional modes — all covered.
What warranty do Tempus winders carry?
Every Tempus watch winder includes a 3-year warranty. Tempus can also repair any Tempus-brand winder even after the warranty period has ended.