Side by side

Glycine Airman No. 1 GMTvsRolex Explorer II

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

What people say

Owners + reviewers, side by side

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

Glycine Airman No. 1 GMT

Owners widely praise the Glycine Airman No. 1 GMT for its historical significance and attractive dial. However, some find the 36mm case size to be a bit small, and the GMT hand can be difficult to distinguish from the minute hand. The watch has a very limited 3ATM water resistance. Later versions feature sapphire crystals, differing from earlier plexi models. Overall, owners value the Glycine Airman No. 1 GMT for its historical appeal and dial design, despite minor legibility and sizing concerns.

From video reviewers

The case finishing and dial colors are praised. The value proposition is tied to a sale price, with questions about long-term competitiveness.

Rolex Explorer II

Owners widely praise the Rolex Explorer II for its high-contrast, legible polar dial and understated, classic toolish aesthetic, with some noting excellent accuracy around +/- 1 second per day. The bracelet is described as incredibly comfortable, and the lume is clean and stunning. However, the 42mm case size is a point of contention, with some finding it too large or flashy, while others appreciate its practical, tool-y nature or consider it a comfortable everyday wear. The bezel is noted as easily scratched, and some dislike the magnified date window for its readability at angles and aesthetic clutter. Availability at authorized dealers varies, with some experiencing long wait times and others finding immediate availability. Overall, owners rate the Rolex Explorer II highly for its legibility and understated tool watch aesthetic, despite some reservations about its size.

At a glance

18 of 29 specs differ
Diameter
Airman No. 1 GMT36mm
Explorer II42mm
Power Reserve
Airman No. 1 GMT48h
Explorer II70h
Water Resistance
Airman No. 1 GMT30m
Explorer II100m
MSRP
Airman No. 1 GMT$2,800
Explorer II$10,600

Full specifications

Case

7 specs
Diameter
36mm
42mm
Thickness
11.6mm
Lug Width
20mm
Material
Stainless Steel
Oystersteel
Finish
Water Resistance
30m
100m
Caseback
Monobloc middle case, screw-down case back and winding crown

Crystal & Dial

5 specs
Crystal Shape
Flat
AR Coating
Dial Color
Silver
Black
Indices
Index
Lume
Luminous
Chromalight

Movement

5 specs
Caliber
Sellita SW330-2
3285
Power Reserve
48h
70h
Jewels
25
34
Hacking
No
Yes
Hand-winding
No
Yes

Pricing

1 specs
MSRP
$2,800
$10,600
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