Vintage Breitling Navitimer - Vintage of the Week Episode 27 | Bob's Watches

This episode of Vintage of the Week will showcase a unique Twin Jet logo Breitling Navitimer ref. 806. Shop certified used Breitling watches: https://www.bobswatches.com/breitling/

NAVIGATE THIS VIDEO

00:00 INTRO
00:13 Wrist Check
00:47 Vintage Breitling Navitimer
01:28 Comparison with Rolex Submariner
02:19 Pilot’s Watch
02:37 Slide Rule Bezel
03:07 Tool Watch
03:47 Comparison with Modern Navitimer
03:56 Twin Jet Logo
04:27 Condition
04:54 Value
06:04 Comparison with Modern Navitimer 2
06:23 Availability
06:54 OUTRO

Join us each week as we showcase a different vintage luxury watch for the Bob’s Watches vault. Follow the series:    • Vintage of the Week  

Breitling is a Swiss luxury watchmaker that was founded in 1884. They’re also the self-proclaimed mastermind behind the modern chronograph as we know it today, with the Navitimer and its innovative Slide Rule bezel being one of their most popular models.

The company is deeply rooted in the world of aviation. However, the catalog also includes the popular Superocean and Superocean Heritage dive watches. There is no shortage of quality tool watches in the Breitling catalog to suit any multifaceted lifestyle.


BREITLING NATIVIMER 806 FOR SALE

We recently received a very nice example of the vintage Breitling Navitimer ref. 806 from 1969. What makes it particularly remarkable is the Twin Jet logo on the dial, which the company began to use in late 1964.

Breitling and the Aircraft Owners & Pilots Association - aka AOPA - joined forces to begin development of the Navitimer series in 1952 as a convenient tool watch for pilots, eventually releasing it to market in 1955.

The name combines “navigation” and “timer,” telling you everything you need to know about what the watch is capable of.

Surrounding the case is an innovative Slide Rule bezel, which reads a top bezel against a bottom bezel to record quick calculations while in the air, such as fuel consumption and climbing speed.

Of course, this calculator function also has countless everyday applications for the modern collector. Curious as to how much you should tip while out to lunch? The Navitimer has your back.

The Slide Rule bezel gives the Navitimer collection its unique aesthetic, which is very functional but in a sophisticated and classy way, and the ref. 806 you see in this video is an outstanding example of that.

While the Navitimer was not the first Breitling watch to sport the Slide Rule bezel (that honor goes to the Chronomat in the early 1940s), it is one of the most iconic and sought-after.

SHOP PRE-OWNED BREITLING NAVITIMER WATCHES: www.bobswatches.com/breitling/navitimer-1.html


ENTER REF. 806

Reference 806 was produced during the 1950s and 1960s. Early editions of the watch were equipped with a Valjoux 72 movement, followed by the Venus 178 sometime around 1955. There are also examples produced during the 1960s that have the Valjoux 7736 movement beating away inside the case, but these are rare and possibly due to supply issues.

All the movements used to power early examples of the Navitimer were hand-wound as the technology for a self-winding chronograph did not yet exist.

Ref. 806 eventually bowed out in the late 1960s, paving the way for the “Big Case” generation, featuring references 816 and 1806. The Navitimer is still in production today.


OUR EXAMPLE

Our example features a 40mm case, which was considered quite large when it came to market so many years ago. Now, it’s viewed as contemporary and on-trend and is very popular among avid vintage collectors who prefer an older luxury watch with a larger diameter.

The case also features the correct “B” crown, and the crystal exhibits light scratches from normal wear. Lastly, the bezel is in great condition, albeit slightly loose when rotated.

DIAL – Ref. 806 features a black glossy dial with contrasting white engine-turned chronograph registers that have developed a handsome patina over the years. Because they are larger than previous models, the registers are often referred to as “Big Eyes.” The hour markers are filled with Tritium luminous, which has since aged to a very lovely and even creamy color.

And there you have it, a fascinating example of the vintage Breitling Navitimer ref. 806, which is in excellent condition for a watch of its age.

What do you think of the watch? Let us know in the comment section below!

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