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Christopher Ward C65 Super Compressor ElitevsGlycine Airman Vintage The Chief Purist

The numbers, the dial colors, the calibers — laid out so you can stop flipping between tabs.

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What people say

Owners + reviewers, side by side

Synthesized for each watch independently from owner discussions, enthusiast forums, written reviews, and video reviewers.

Christopher Ward C65 Super Compressor Elite

The Christopher Ward C65 Super Compressor Elite is praised for its well-made, refined, and attractively finished Super Compressor case, featuring a blue gradient dial with decompression scales and an internal bezel operated by the 2 o'clock crown. Reviewers note the COSC-certified Sellita SW300-1 movement offers a 56-hour power reserve. However, the bracelet's end link finishing does not match the lugs, and the pin-and-collar sizing system is criticized for difficulty. One reviewer calls the 150-meter water resistance a party trick and dislikes the logo and trident on the seconds hand. Overall, reviewers find the Christopher Ward C65 Super Compressor Elite to be a refined and attractively finished watch, despite some criticisms regarding bracelet finishing and water resistance.

Glycine Airman Vintage The Chief Purist

The Glycine Airman Vintage The Chief Purist is widely praised for its classic pilot watch design and excellent wearability, with owners highlighting its authentic 24-hour dial as a core element of its identity. Reviewers and owners consistently note its accurate timekeeping, with one report stating it keeps very accurate time and another confirming excellent timekeeping. The sun-ray green dial is specifically mentioned as looking great in different lighting conditions, and the lume is described as great for a vintage-style piece. Owners find the purist model's 24-hour dial more logical than GMT versions, and the 40mm size is noted for offering larger, readable dials. One owner calls it the best pilot watch ever made.

From video reviewers

The 24-hour dial legibility is a key strength. Reviewers disagree on the desirability of the current Purist design compared to Glycine's past Airman 18 series.

At a glance

16 of 29 specs differ
Diameter
C65 Super Compressor Elite40mm
Airman Vintage The Chief Purist40mm
Power Reserve
C65 Super Compressor Elite56h
Airman Vintage The Chief Purist48h
Water Resistance
C65 Super Compressor Elite150m
Airman Vintage The Chief Purist30m
MSRP
C65 Super Compressor Elite$1,995
Airman Vintage The Chief Purist$2,900

Full specifications

Case

6 specs
Category
Diver
GMT
Thickness
13.75mm
12.25mm
Lug-to-Lug
47.12mm
Finish
Water Resistance
150m
30m
Caseback

Crystal & Dial

5 specs
Crystal Shape
AR Coating
Dial Color
Blue
White
Indices
Printed
Lume
SLN X1 GL C1
Luminous

Movement

4 specs
Caliber
Sellita SW300-1
Sellita SW330-2
Beat Rate
4 vph
28,800 vph
Power Reserve
56h
48h
Complications
None
Date

Pricing

1 specs
MSRP
$1,995
$2,900
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