Breitling Navitimer Ref. 806 Early AOPA Gilt Black Dial Steel 1950s

BRAND:                           Breitling   

MODEL:                           Navitimer

CASE MATERIAL:            Stainless steel

CASE MEASURES:          40 x 48 mm

MOVEMENT:                   Manual 

FUNCTIONS:                   Time and chronograph

CONDITION:                    Beautiful

A gorgeously preserved Breitling Navtimer reference 806 in stainless steel from the late 1950s. The first production Breitling created for the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association in the early 1950s had an all-black dial and was powered by a Valjoux 72 chronograph movement for a short period of time, the one we offer contains the Venus caliber 178 which followed the Valjoux. The AOPA logo on this dial was later replaced by the twin-jet logo, and the beautifully beaded bezel transitioned into the fluted grooves seen on modern production of Navitimers. This Navitimer contains about 120 beads (yes we counted them). This watch has developed an overall even honey patina, the lugs still show their chamfers and the crisp case back engravings indicate unpolished condition. Early AOPA Navitimers progressed to be one of the most iconic vintage chronographs, and the specimen we have is exemplary of its meticulous and complex process (35 steps of which could be disrupted at any point).

Please note: we do not know its service history and it has not been serviced by us.

Beautifully aged, even honey patina.

Unpolished condition, bevels on lugs are visible.

13 mm thick.

Case serial 8714xx

Venus caliber 178, 3 registers manual wind movement.

Early AOPA (Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association) logo on all black dial.

Signed Breitling crown.

Radium lume.

Plexiglass crystal.

Non-Breitling tan leather strap.

22 mm lug width.

Modeled on 7 3/4 inch wrist.

ID 306216564742