THE ESSENTIALS

MAKE: BREITLING
MODEL: 7806
YEAR: 1975
BOX/PAPERS: NO/NO
CASE DIAMETER: 41mm
CASE MATERIAL: STAINLESS STEEL
BRACELET MATERIAL: STAINLESS STEEL
MOVEMENT: MANUAL WIND

The 7806 is one of those watches that looks like it could just as easily calculate your flight plan as it could tell you the time which, to be fair, was exactly the point. Introduced in the early 1970s, the 7806 added a twist to Breitling’s iconic pilot’s chronograph by housing a manual-wind Valjoux 7740 movement with a date complication—something its predecessors lacked. For pilots, engineers, or anyone who likes a dial so busy it could double as a cockpit instrument panel, the 7806 was the ultimate tool watch.

Its 41mm steel case was still substantial for the era, and of course it carried the trademark Navitimer slide rule bezel, allowing wearers to crunch numbers on the fly (literally). Need to convert nautical miles into statute miles? Calculate fuel consumption? Impress your friends with on-wrist math wizardry? The 7806 had you covered. The addition of a date window at 6 o’clock was a small but welcome touch because even pilots need to know if it’s Tuesday.

The watch itself has in immaculate condition, the dial is near flawless with all of its markers still intact. The case remains untouched and has the usual wear marks one would expect, but no dents. To make it even more special this comes on its original NSA made bracelet that will accommodate a 19cm wrist.

The movement came to us in great health and is currently running at +4 s/d, 275 amps with a beat error of 0.2.

A really handsome watch with a little more than your usual vintage Navi.