2026-05-12
Best Watch Straps for the Glycine Combat Sub
Glycine was founded in Bienne, Switzerland in 1914 — the same Swiss watchmaking city as Omega and Swatch. For most of the twentieth century the brand was best known for its Airman pilot's watch series, which was adopted by the US military and worn on several NASA missions. The Combat line, including the Combat Sub dive watch, has been in production since 1967 — a professional dive watch series that combined Swiss automatic movement quality with accessible pricing at a time when that combination was genuinely unusual.
The Combat Sub's position in the collector community today reflects this heritage. Owned by Invicta since 2016 — a fact that made many collectors nervous — the Combat Sub has largely maintained its Swiss-made credentials, ETA movement standard, and quality specification. The Two Broke Watch Snobs review described it as "the most versatile watch I own." The eBay owner review: "It keeps excellent time, +2 seconds per day. The simplicity of its design allows for multiple strap and bracelet changes (22mm)."
At a price point significantly below Tudor, Seiko Prospex, or DOXA, the Combat Sub offers a Swiss-made automatic dive watch with sapphire crystal, ETA 2824-2 movement, 200m water resistance, and a clean vintage-inspired dial that accepts strap changes with the same enthusiasm as watches costing three times as much.
Glycine Combat Sub Strap Size
Every Glycine Combat Sub uses 22mm lugs — confirmed by multiple independent owner reviews and retailer specifications.
GL0085 (black dial, nylon strap) — 22mm. 42mm case, thin profile, approximately 47mm lug-to-lug. Non-drilled lugs.
GL0087 (black dial, rubber strap) — 22mm. Same case dimensions. Non-drilled lugs.
GL0187 (bronze case, black dial) — 22mm. Bronze case variant.
GL0088 / GL0086 and all Combat Sub variants — 22mm.
Important note on spring bars: The Combat Sub uses non-drilled lugs — there are no through-holes in the lug walls. Standard spring bar replacement requires a fork spring bar tool inserted into the gap between the strap end and the case side. This takes slightly more care than drilled lugs but is straightforward with the correct tool. CNS quick-release spring bars are compatible.
The Combat Sub's 22mm lug width is shared with the Seiko Turtle, Seiko 5 Sports SRPD, Tudor Pelagos 42mm, Mido Multifort, and Citizen Nighthawk — the same strap rotation serves all of them.
The Combat Sub's Character — Thin, Clean, Versatile
Two things consistently surprise new Combat Sub owners: how thin it is, and how receptive it is to strap changes. The slim profile — reviews consistently describe it as "very thin" — means the watch sits closer to the wrist than most 42mm divers, and suits flat and moderately padded leather proportionally. It reads as a serious tool watch on rubber and nylon, and as a characterful sport-dress piece on leather. The Two Broke Watch Snobs review put it directly: "It is incredibly well made and an amazing value."
Best Rubber Straps for the Glycine Combat Sub
Glycine ships the GL0087 on black rubber as standard — the brand's validation of rubber as the primary Combat Sub strap material.
Tropical style FKM in black at 22mm — the most celebrated Combat Sub rubber combination. The vintage basket-weave and honeycomb surface patterns reference the 1967 era of the original Combat Sub — the same vintage dive watch rubber world that a watch produced since 1967 belongs to. An immediately compelling upgrade from the factory rubber.
Brown tropical FKM at 22mm — for the most warm and most specifically vintage character. Particularly effective on the bronze GL0187 where the warm rubber echoes the bronze case patina.
Classic FKM rubber in black at 22mm — the most practical active choice. A direct quality upgrade from the factory rubber.
Grey FKM rubber at 22mm — for a cool, composed tonal combination with the brushed steel case.
Best Nylon Straps for the Glycine Combat Sub
Glycine ships the GL0085 on nylon as standard — directly validating single-pass nylon as factory-appropriate for the Combat Sub.
Single-pass nylon — Original at 22mm with the CNS solid buckle. Most appropriate Combat Sub colourways:
- Black — the most minimal and most operationally coherent. Matches the factory nylon strap colourway.
- Olive / khaki — for the most vintage dive-expedition character. References the operational world of the original 1967 Combat Sub.
- Navy — a composed, maritime combination.
- Black and grey — the most understated collector combination.
Marine Nationale elastic at 22mm — the most comfortable Combat Sub daily option. The French Navy combat swimmer heritage connects directly to the professional diving world the Combat Sub was designed for. Navy or black.
RAF single-pass nylon at 22mm — for the most specifically military heritage combination.
Canvas at 22mm in olive or black — for a structured fabric option with vintage diving heritage character.
Paratrooper elastic at 22mm — the most comfortable daily-wear option.
Best Leather Straps for the Glycine Combat Sub
The Combat Sub's clean black dial, thin profile, and polished/brushed case finishing make it unusually receptive to leather. Multiple reviewers identify leather as the most rewarding Combat Sub transformation — the Swiss dive watch becomes a refined everyday sport piece.
Brown vintage two-stitch calfskin at 22mm — the most celebrated Combat Sub leather combination. The warm brown two-stitch references 1967 — the year the original Combat line launched — and creates a warm-cool contrast against the black dial that the community consistently identifies as the most rewarding Combat Sub leather pairing. The slim profile of the Combat Sub suits the flat two-stitch construction proportionally.
Dark brown padded calfskin at 22mm — the most substantial everyday leather. The padded construction suits the Combat Sub well despite its thin case — the case width rather than thickness determines proportional fit here.
Classic black calfskin at 22mm — the most formal combination.
Tan suede at 22mm — the most relaxed leather option for casual and weekend wear.
Navy calfskin at 22mm — a composed formal alternative.
The Bronze GL0187 — Specific Strap Logic
The Combat Sub GL0187 bronze variant develops a natural patina over time. This creates the same living material dynamic as the Baltic Aquascaphe Bronze and Oris Sixty-Five Bronze.
Brown tropical FKM at 22mm — warm rubber that echoes the bronze at all stages of patina development.
Brown vintage two-stitch leather at 22mm — two materials ageing alongside each other.
Tan suede at 22mm — warm earthy leather alongside warm earthy bronze.
Recommended Combinations
Most historically resonant — black tropical FKM at 22mm — 1967 era vintage rubber on a watch produced since 1967.
Most factory-validated — black single-pass nylon at 22mm — following Glycine's own factory GL0085 strap choice.
Most celebrated leather — brown vintage two-stitch calfskin at 22mm — warm leather transforming the Swiss dive tool.
Most comfortable daily — Marine Nationale elastic at 22mm.
Bronze GL0187 — brown tropical FKM or brown vintage two-stitch leather — warm materials ageing with a warm case.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size strap does the Glycine Combat Sub take? 22mm — confirmed by multiple independent owner reviews. The Combat Sub GL0085, GL0087, GL0187, and all variants use 22mm non-drilled lugs. Standard spring bar tool required for strap changes — no through-holes in the lug walls.
What is the best rubber strap for the Glycine Combat Sub? Black tropical style FKM at 22mm — the vintage basket-weave pattern references the 1967 era of the original Combat line. A direct quality upgrade from the factory rubber on the GL0087. Brown tropical FKM for the bronze GL0187.
What is the best leather strap for the Glycine Combat Sub? Brown vintage two-stitch calfskin at 22mm — the warm brown against the black dial creates the most rewarding Combat Sub transformation, connecting the Swiss dive watch to its 1967 heritage in leather form.
Does the Glycine Combat Sub have drilled lugs? No — the Combat Sub uses non-drilled lugs. There are no through-holes in the lug walls. Standard spring bar replacement requires a fork spring bar tool inserted into the gap between the strap end and the case side. CNS quick-release spring bars are compatible with the non-drilled lug configuration.
Is the Glycine Combat Sub still Swiss-made after Invicta ownership? Yes — the Combat Sub retains Swiss Made certification, ETA 2824-2 movement, and sapphire crystal under Invicta ownership. Multiple reviewers since 2016 confirm the quality specification has not changed. The brand's Swiss manufacturing heritage remains intact.
All CNS straps for the Glycine Combat Sub are available at 22mm. Standard delivery worldwide. 30-day returns.