The Airman Vintage 1953 is based on the Airman 1953. That particular watch was slightly different:
It was 36 mm in diameter without the crown, and housed a Felsa 692 movement. Reputed to have 44 hours of power reserve, it had a 24 hour function with a 24 hour dial. The lug width was 20 mm which was a bit large for its time. It was secured with a calf leather strap.
But on to today's Airman Vintage 1953 - the stats are a bit more developed for modern tastes.
Starting with the case - it is a full 6 mm wider in diameter coming in at a very wearable 42 mm. The size, even with the crowns, is quite comfortable and wears well with just about any shirt cuff. The finish of the case is smooth and very well executed. The watches lugs are clean and straight, but without the usual sharp edges. It has been a pleasure to wear.
The oscillating weight/rotor is inscribed Glycine Airman with an airplane to remind the wearer of its roots in aviation.
The timekeeping was superlative - being on time clearly meant something to the person who adjusted and fine tuned the Airman that I tested. While I did not hook it up, I can say with a fair amount of confidence that I was within about 5 seconds. I did take three days off not wearing the watch to get a gauge of power reserve "in the wild" and am happy to say that 42 hours (plus if I'm honest, a wee bit more) of power reserve was achieved.
The setting of the time and date was easy, and the adjustment of the 24 hour bezel which helps establish the second time zone was function, and easy to use and understand. And in all honesty, isn't that what you want in the functionality of a watch - something that you don't need a one-hour primer on how to use it?
The watch uses a "NATO style" strap which is made of "high-tech" fabric. It is well constructed with reinforced holes. The buckle is an actual buckle and not the "paper-clip" like clasp used by many others. It is uniform in width at 22 mm, as is the lug width.
IWC. This is unfortunate. If I am honest, there are some really cool Pilot's watches out there that do not get the "airtime" that the should. Tutima is making a lot of these. Hanhart tried and failed and once they are purchased by another "sugar daddy" they will no doubt try again. And Glycine, in many ways, makes the most useful of all.
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