First introduced in 1954, the Breitling Navitimer was the direct successor to the 1942 Breitling Chronomat and is truly something special when it comes to high-powered functionality in aviation watches. The Navitimer took the original slide rule bezel from the Chronomat and evolved it into a navigational computer for Pilots. This groundbreaking bezel can be used to calculate flight times, distance traveled, airspeed, ascent and descent rates, fuel-burning rates, and even has a metric conversion tool.

The first Navitimers housed a Valjoux 72 movement and were only available through the AOPA (Aircraft Owner and Pilot Association). However, this changed in 1956 when Breitling transitioned to a Venus cal. 178 chronograph movement and opened the ref. 806 to the general public for purchase. Breitling differentiated the general public Navitimers with the now-classic Twin Jets logo while preserving the AOPA logo for the Navitimers still sold through the Aircraft Owner and Pilot Association.

CASE & BRACELET

The handsome and well-preserved gold cap case retains strong geometry with minimal signs of previous polishing present and light signs of use. The rotating slide rule bezel retains deep grooves and milling on the outside, the inner slide rule portion of the bezel features some aging and fading which is common to see in this era. The case retains its original pump pushers, the Breitling signed crown is believed to be an early service unit. The case back retains all of its original factory markings in crisp condition. The watch comes supplied on a 2pc handmade leather strap.

DIAL & HANDS

The beautiful glossy black "Twin Jets" gilt dial is in excellent condition overall, with only minor age spots from age which is expected. The silver sub-dials remain very clean with nominal age present. The tritium hour markers have aged to a dark grey coloration which is normal to see in Navitimers from this era, under UV light inspection the lume does exhibit some degradation. The original gold tritium hands match the dial perfectly, and show some minor lume loss when inspected under UV light and remain stable.

ACCESSORIES

None. The watch is keeping time and functioning perfectly, previous service history is unknown.