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russelk
17
Dec 2, 2017
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I ordered the red bezel version from Jomashop on Black Friday and I got it yesterday (customs delay). I don't know if they were always like this, or it's something that's changed since Invicta took over, but I'm not too impressed with the build quality of the bracelet. It's a little bit cheap feeling, and not very well made, and does not suit a watch in that price bracket. Seriously, the bracelets on my Orient Ray and Mako watches are a lot better and those watches cost a hell of a lot less. Among other affordable Swiss watches, I've got Victorinox and Certina and their bracelets are also better.
One of the links on my watch is so poorly machined that it catches on the edge of the end-link as it swivels! This is unbelievable.
Has anybody compared the current Glycine bracelets with the older ones?
Dec 2, 2017
Cloaca
1906
Dec 4, 2017
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russelkThe more hardcore and expensive Glycine diver, the Combat Sub Aquarius, doesn't even have a bracelet option, only rubber. I guess they're just not into bracelets.
Dec 4, 2017
Technerd108
7
Dec 4, 2017
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russelkGlycine has always had folded end links which makes their watches feel cheap but only because times have changed and Glycine hasn't. At one time Rolex had folded end links because technically they are better at drying out than solid ones. Over time dive watches started using solid end links because it looks better.
So in comparison to most other modern watches the bracelet feels light or cheap but this has been the standard for a long time with Glycine.
Now if you look closely at the watch head and the way the bracelet is made not how big or heavy it is you might be surprised by how nicely made and we'll finished it is.
Personally I would rather have folded end links vs. poor finishing or more generic design. For the cost Glycine strikes a nice balance but if they did improve their bracelets that would be nice but I am not sure I am willing to pay more for it.
Dec 4, 2017
Cloaca
1906
Dec 4, 2017
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Technerd108I just wish Glycine would offer a bracelet option, however chintzy, for every dive watch they make. Your only real option to get a bracelet is when you initially buy a watch., unless you're O.K. with straight end-links. And for some reason, bracelets in the aftermarket are super expensive. (Update: I recommend StrapCode for bracelets, good quality and moderate prices; they have a straight end-link version of most models.) Glycine is at the lower end of the market for Swiss Made, so there are limits to what you can expect. It's in my sweet spot of quality vs. affordability. I've read unsubstantiated rumors that they do some assembly or other work in China. For instance: http://www.asian-watches.com/2015/02/the-great-chinese-swiss-watch-paradox.html "An associate at Shenzhen Meigeer Watch Co., Ltd in China, not allowed to speak officially said that her company has made a turn-key watch for Swiss firms such as Glycine Watch, SA." The Swiss Made standard only requires a "minimum rate of Swiss value of 60 percent." http://www.fhs.swiss/eng/swissness.html That leaves a lot of wiggle room, since salaries of the Swiss are so much higher than those of the Chinese. A highly paid Swiss worker can probably just clean the crystal with a cloth and double the cost of a Chinese-made watch! And even Chinese catalog watches can be ordered with Swiss movements, tritium tubes, and other Swiss components, such that I expect that with low costs for other parts and for assembly certain Chinese watches are able to pass the 60 percent Swiss value standard even without cheating.
(Edited)
Dec 4, 2017
russelk
17
Dec 5, 2017
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Technerd108" Now if you look closely at the watch head and the way the bracelet is made not how big or heavy it is you might be surprised by how nicely made and we'll finished it is. "
But I'm not. When compared to the bracelet on my Certina DS Nautic it is neither nicely made nor well finished. I'm not being super-critical here, but out of all the bracelet watches I currently own, it's beaten by everything except my bargain-bin Citizen.
I get that with Swiss watches one is paying a premium just because they are Swiss watches. With my Victorinox, Certina, and even my Tag Heuer, I feel that I'm getting value-for-money because of the build quality, attention to detail, and quality of finish. I'm just not getting that with my Glycine - in fact, I'm very disappointed with it. I still LOVE the way it looks - I'm just not impressed with the build. All the good things I've read about Glycine to date leads me to believe that the quality has suffered since Invicta took over. Perhaps the bracelets are now sourced from China. There's no way they could have garnered such a following if they were always like this.
I've also just remembered, older Glycine Combat Subs used to have their serial number etched between the lugs. This is no longer the case - so something in the manufacture has changed, and that's probably not the only thing.
Dec 5, 2017
Technerd108
7
Dec 5, 2017
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russelkWell you were asking about older models so I was going on memory.
As to the new ones I do not know.
I completely understand your point of view.
Dec 5, 2017
Cloaca
1906
Dec 5, 2017
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russelkI have a Glycine Incusore 46 mm, bought maybe 6 months ago on Jomashop, which has the number between the lugs. I'll keep my eye out for that on other Glycines. At the time I bought it Glycine was not selling 46-mm Incusores, so it was probably a recent NOS item.
Dec 5, 2017
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