Navitimer Ref. 806 Transitional

BREITLING, NAVITIMER, REF. 806, TWIN JET, TRANSITIONNAL RED BOX 10

ICONEEK price: SOLD

Following the great success of the Chronomat, the world’s first slide rule chronograph released in the early 1940s, Breitling released their first pilot’s watch, the ref. 806, in the early 1950s. Featuring the innovating slide rule chronograph, the model was called the “Navitimer.” (combination of Navigation and Timer, the name was patented circa 1955). The 806 is one of the most iconic model of the Swiss brand as the slide rule allows pilots to make important calculations prior and during their flights. This year, at the Basel fair, the manufacture launched a re-edition, in a limited edition of 1959 pieces, of the original 1959 model, with all black dial and pearl-set bezel.

Made circa 1967, the present Navitimer comes with a 40 mm stainless steel tonneau-shaped case with downturned lugs, round chronograph pushers, a snap on case back. The inside case back is engraved with case number « 1159433 ». The watch is powered by a caliber Venus 178, copper colored, mechanical, hand wound, with 17 jewels, a monometallic balance with self-compensating blued steel flat balance spring, shock absorbers, column-wheel mechanism. The balance bridge is engraved « WOG » (import mark between 1957 and 1979), these three letters WOG were in fact the “ebauche” code for US watches, used by Breitling.

The « AOPA » Navitimer were only made for the American market, and were consequently stamped on the movement with the import code, ‘WOG’ for the Wakmann Watch Co., the American arm of Breitling. Stamped with the Twin Jet logo, the present watch was a civilian version for the Us market, as the model is also stamped WOG.  The « AOPA » logo, an applied gilt metal pair of wings, is the symbol of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association established in 1939 which is the largest international independent organization of pilots. The present watch is featuring the rare and sought after dial, so called « Red box » dial, with matching bezel, where the both numbers 10 are located in a square red box, in order to facilitate the alignment of the slide rule with the dial. Made during a very short time, the transitional red box is a transitional model. The present watch is fitted with a leather strap and original stainless steel Breitling buckle.

The present Navitimer model is a very nice and well preserved example of the famous model.

Condition: 8.5/10, in good overall condition, all functions working, overhaul recommended