Review: Glycine Sea Kraken

The Glycine Sea Kraken breathes new life into one of the brand’s rarest and most intriguing dive watches from the 1960s, blending classic design elements with modern functionality.

Built for both daily wear and underwater performance, this reissue retains its vintage character while offering contemporary reliability. But how does it hold up against other dive watches in Glycine’s lineup?

Let’s dive in and see how it measures up!

History

The early history of Glycine’s dive watches remains somewhat of a mystery, with few details available beyond the mid-1960s Vacuum sports watch housed in an EPSA monobloc (top-loader) case. EPSA, the renowned case supplier for Glycine since the introduction of the first Airman, left its unmistakable design signature on every 1960s Glycine dive watch that surfaces today.

The piece that clearly inspired the Sea Kraken is one that surfaced at a German watch forum some years ago. To date, no other examples have emerged, at least not to my knowledge. However that doesn’t mean they aren’t out there – they’re likely tucked away in private collections, awaiting discovery.

Adding to the intrigue, there are whispers of completely unsigned watches, rumored to have been crafted by Glycine for American retailers. While it’s impossible to confirm these claims, certain features – from the choice of movement to the case design – make it highly plausible.

However, without any definitive Glycine markings, speculation is all we have. The only consistent clue found on these watches is the inscription “Sportsway, Inc.” on the case back, a brand with no trace in the Mikrolisk archive.

To get more clarity, I consulted the go-to Glycine expert, Emre. According to him, the sterile-dial pieces were made by Glycine, and both the German forum watch and the sterile-dial specimens models likely date back to around 1967-1972, which aligns with the original Combat series.

Interestingly, there’s also a documented Glycine dive watch, reference 676, which shares a striking resemblance to the Sea Kraken in both dial and handset design.

However, the key difference lies in the case: the German forum watch boasts “fat lugs,” reminiscent of the Airman, while the ref. 676 features a more angular “delta lug” design. Were it not for the distinct arrow minute hand, the 676 could easily be mistaken for the Aquastar Model 60.

The story of Glycine’s dive watches may still hold many secrets, but the fascination around them continues to grow, with every new discovery adding another piece to the puzzle.

Squids, cryptids and watches

The name “Sea Kraken” has a distinctly modern flair. Personally, I think just “Kraken” would suffice—after all, the legendary kraken, a mythical creature from 18th-century North Sea sailor folklore—was said to dwell only in the seas. There were no tales of river krakens, lake krakens, or pond krakens. But I have to admit, “Sea Kraken” does have a nice ring to it.

The myth itself likely stems from a real creature—the giant squid, which has been documented to reach lengths of up to 13 meters. Despite stories about these creatures dating back to ancient times, the first officially recorded encounter wasn’t until 1861, when the French Navy corvette Alecton came across one.

While the giant squid doesn’t feast on ships like its mythical counterpart, it’s very real. And so is the watch that inspired the Sea Kraken. Incredibly rare, but undeniably real—just like the mysterious specimen that surfaced on that German watch forum some years ago.

The reissue

Normally, when judging a reissue, I look at how closely it mirrors the original. But in this case, I’m working with almost nothing—just one photo of the original. Aside from that, I’ve got exactly two things to go by: jack and squat.

Still, certain details give it away. The minute hand? Clearly inspired by the sterile dial models likely made by Glycine. The case design, with chamfered lugs, lines up perfectly with both the Glycine-signed piece and the sterile versions. Even the bezel design is spot on.

I could break down feature after feature, but let me put it this way: if you saw the Sea Kraken from a distance, I wouldn’t blame you for thinking it’s a vintage watch. That’s because the vintage vibe here is executed brilliantly. If you’ve ever handled the Airman No.1 Purist, you already know Glycine’s skill in capturing that retro charm—and they’ve nailed it again with the Sea Kraken.

Paint it, Black – the dial

If you’ve read my review of the Glycine Airman No.1, you already know that I have a soft spot for reissues that nail the original dial finishing. If you haven’t, well, now you do. So, let me tell you, the Sea Kraken doesn’t disappoint in that department.

The dial features a matte black background, with a slightly coarser grain than the Airman’s, which is spot-on for the matte black dials you’d see in the 1960s. The fonts for the Glycine logo and “Automatic” text are identical to the Airman No.1, just scaled up a bit to suit the larger dial sans the 24-hour scale.

I have to say, the crisp, glossy white print against the matte black dial is a beautiful touch. The lettering is sharp, yet has that subtle “perfect imperfection” that gives it a vintage authenticity, something modern dials often lack with their overly precise finishes.

The only modern giveaway on the dial is the date window – the cutout is much cleaner than you’d find on any 1960s Glycine dive watch or even the Airman. In fact, the quality is probably even better than on the Airman No.1.

One of my favorite details is the minute track. While it doesn’t match the original models exactly, it captures the era’s style perfectly. At first glance, it looks like a typical scale, but up close, you’ll notice little serifs at the ends of the markers—a subtle touch of intricacy that makes the dial feel both simple and refined. It’s that kind of understated elegance that vintage tool watch enthusiasts go crazy for—details that elevate a minimalist design.

The hour markers are coated with a generous application of Grade A Super-LumiNova. Officially described as “light brown,” it’s more of a light cream color, much like the aged lume you’d see on a well-preserved watch from the ‘60s or ‘70s.

The color is consistent across both the dial and the hands, and if you’re worried about the performance of tinted lume, rest easy. It’s impressively bright for “aged” lume, likely thanks to how thickly it’s applied. While the initial glow fades quickly, the base glow holds steady. In fact, it outshines the lume on the Airman No.1 and the Combat 6 Vintage, coming close to that of the Combat Sub 39.

The hands? Pure 1960s charm. The big minute hand with its broad arrow tip, paired with a subtler hour hand, was a popular combo back in the day on both skin divers and high-performance dive watches. Glycine stayed true to its roots with this design, reflecting the trends of the era.

But it wasn’t just about looks—there was purpose behind it. In dive watches like the Sea Kraken’s predecessors, minutes were what mattered most, and that’s why the minute hand needed to be bold and easily legible.

In short, the Sea Kraken’s dial doesn’t just pay homage to its vintage inspiration—it captures the essence of what made those original pieces so iconic.

The case and bezel

When I first laid eyes on the Sea Kraken, I initially thought it shared the same case as the Airman “The Chief,” perhaps with a few tweaks. But after closer inspection, I realized it’s not quite the same. The midcase is slightly smaller in diameter, the lug-to-lug distance is marginally different, and the Kraken’s case is 0.2 mm thicker.

One thing that really stands out is the superior case finishing. The lugs feature a beautiful chamfer along the outer edge, and the bezel boasts a sharp edge separating the insert from the coin-edge flank. The precision here feels a touch crisper than what I’ve seen in the Combat Sub 39—not by a huge margin, but enough to notice.

While the official specs say the bezel insert is aluminum, it has such a high-quality finish, with engraved markers filled with black enamel, that it could easily be mistaken for solid steel, much like the all-steel bezel on the Airman No.1. If I didn’t already know, I’d have been fooled.

The crown is another fresh feature. It’s shaped much like the Combat Sub’s crown, but with a few upgrades. The grip is polished rather than brushed, and the recessed end is domed, displaying a polished Glycine logo against a sandblasted background—an elegant touch.

True to Glycine’s dive watch tradition, the Sea Kraken has a beautifully decorated case back. This time, it’s adorned with an engraving of a tall, three-masted clipper, a playful nod to the kraken’s supposed love for snacking on ships. It’s a nice detail that reminds me of John Masefield’s poem, Sea Fever—“and all I ask is a tall ship, and a star to steer her by.”

In terms of water resistance, the Sea Kraken surpasses its 1960s predecessor, the ref. 675, with 150 meters of WR compared to the original’s 100. Sure, that’s less than the Combat Sub’s rating, but let’s be honest—most people won’t even come close to testing that limit. Whether you’re desk-diving or taking a casual swim in the pool (both of which I’ve tested, by the way), the Kraken has you covered. And for any actual diving, you’d likely have a dive computer with you anyway.

Now, the only downside of the box-domed sapphire crystal is its legibility underwater. Similar to the Airman No.1, even a slight angle introduces some distortion. That’s typical with this style of crystal, though.

As for the bezel, it performs just as smoothly as I’ve come to expect from Glycine. There’s a tiny bit of vertical slack when you grip it, likely due to the sloped surface of the box-domed crystal rather than the vertical steel wall you find on the Combat Sub. The action is also lighter than the Combat Sub’s, but still offers no play when turning. To put it in perspective, I’d rate it above the Tissot Seastar 1000 Powermatic 80, but slightly below the Longines HydroConquest—solid company to be in.

One thing to note: the Sea Kraken’s spring bars are relatively close to the case, so when picking a strap, make sure it’s not too thick, or it could rub against the case. And speaking of straps, there’s a thoughtful little detail for those who prefer wearing it on a NATO—an angled “lip” on each side of the case. This makes it easier to change straps and improves the fit with single-piece straps. A small but clever touch!

How does it wear?

Don’t let the sub-40 mm diameter fool you—it’s deceptive in more ways than one. The bezel flares out by about 0.4-0.5 mm on each side, so the midcase itself is likely around 38 mm. Like the Airman, the EPSA-like case back makes just the right amount of contact with the wrist—neither too big nor too small. It’s a perfect balance, at least in my opinion. But what really surprises me is how much wrist presence the Sea Kraken has despite its size. Thanks to those Airman-esque fat lugs and a wide 22 mm lug spacing, combined with a lug-to-lug length of 48.9 mm, it commands more visual real estate than you’d expect.

The sharply curved lugs also mean it hugs the wrist nicely and doesn’t sit high or awkwardly. On my wrist, which is just under 7 inches, it fits snugly and looks great.

One thing I really appreciate is how light the Sea Kraken feels, especially compared to the Combat Sub 39. It’s definitely lighter, which makes a big difference in comfort. While the watch’s center of gravity isn’t particularly low, it’s still lower than you might expect given the thickness, and that’s largely due to the box-domed sapphire crystal.

All in all, I love how it feels on the wrist. Not too wide, not too thick, and not too long from lug to lug. It strikes just the right balance.

The movement

The Sea Kraken is powered by Glycine’s go-to movement, the Sellita SW-200, also known as the GL224. I’ve talked about this movement plenty of times before, and it’s the same rock-solid performer that it was. In this watch, it’s running at a solid +3/+4 seconds per day, which is excellent accuracy.

Now, I know there are some who might wish for a display case back to show off the movement. But personally, I’m glad it’s not. First off, the SW-200 is well-finished, but nothing too flashy—you’re not missing out on anything breathtaking with a closed back.

Second, with Glycine nailing the vintage aesthetic so well on the Sea Kraken, a modern display back would almost feel out of place. It’s better left as it is, keeping the retro charm intact.

The strap

The stock strap is a grained calfskin one, with a pin buckle and quick-release springbars. Pretty much the same thing that you’ll find supplied with the Airman No.1 or The Chief.

It’s a sleek, supple strap with a nice taper (22mm to 18mm), giving it a classic 1950s-1960s vibe. While it’s undeniably elegant, I can’t say I wear the Sea Kraken on it very often. Black leather straps call for black shoes and belts, and I’m more of a brown or tan kind of guy when it comes to belts and boots.

That said, I’ve tested a few NATO straps and a vintage-style rubber strap, and the watch looks fantastic with all of them. The Sea Kraken feels right at home with a variety of options, giving it a versatile, timeless look no matter what you pair it with.

The packaging

The Sea Kraken arrives in the same wooden case as the Airman No.1, designed to resemble a vintage air mail parcel. It’s a clever nod to Glycine’s heritage, as this style of box first made its debut in the 1960s.

The packaging sets the tone from the moment you open it, adding an old-timey sense of adventure to the unboxing experience. Simple, solid and classy.

All in all…

The Sea Kraken is a stunning interpretation of the classic skin diver, and an exceptional reissue of a truly rare watch. It’s also a rarity in its own right, being a limited edition. Glycine produced only 500 Sea Krakens in total—300 with a black dial (ref. GL0479), and just 100 units each of the white (GL0480) and ivory (GL0481) versions.

While the black dial is more common, it’s hands-down my favorite. There’s just something about a matte black dial that grabs me, especially when it’s executed as perfectly as this one.

Would I change anything? Not much. If I were to nitpick, I’d maybe prefer a Sellita SW-300 over the SW-200, and I’d love to see it paired with a Tropic-style rubber strap instead of the black leather.

Being a limited edition, along with its higher level of finishing compared to the Airman and Combat Sub, the price reflects its premium status. At 785 euros, it’s more affordable than any Airman from the Vintage line, but pricier than your standard three-hand steel Combat Sub.

However, in terms of value for money, the Sea Kraken stands tall against its direct competitors. It outclasses the Certina DS Ph200M with a hesalite crystal in almost every way. The closest rival is the Nivada Grenchen Antarctic Diver, but that’ll set you back at least 100 euros more than the Sea Kraken. So, while it’s not cheap by Glycine standards, it still delivers exceptional value—just like the Combat Sub and Airman No.1.

Dry facts and technicalities aside, I enjoy this piece a lot. It’s a sturdy and classy watch that feels in its element behind the desk and at the pool alike. If I’ll have an opportunity to take it for an adventure off the beaten track, you bet I will!

You can find it at the Glycine Store Europe.

Technical specs

• Reference number: GL0479 (black dial)
• Diameter: 39mm
• Lug to lug: 48.9mm
• Lug width: 22mm
• Thickness: 12.7mm
• Water resistance: 150 metres/15 bar/15 atm
• Case material: 316L stainless steel
• Case back: closed, screw-in
• Crown: screw-down
• Crystal: box-domed sapphire with ARC on the underside
• Lume: Super-LumiNova Grade A, green emission, tinted
• Bezel: 120-click unidirectional, aluminium insert
• Movement: GL224 (Sellita SW-200) – 38h power reserve, 28800 A/h, hacking seconds, hand-winding functionality, quickset date
• Strap: black calf leather, 22mm tapering to 18mm, pin buckle, quick-release system
• Limited edition: yes, 300 units (GL0479), 100 each of GL0480 and GL0481 – 500 units total
• Price: 785 euros (all 3 versions)