THE ESSENTIALS

MAKE: BREITLING
MODEL: 806
YEAR: 1965
BOX/PAPERS: NO/NO
CASE DIAMETER: 41mm
CASE MATERIAL: STAINLESS STEEL
BRACELET MATERIAL: STAINLESS STEEL
MOVEMENT: MANUAL WIND

Among vintage chronograph enthusiasts, few would argue that it was not Heuer, Rolex, or Omega — but Breitling — that had the most significant impact on shaping the world of sports chronographs as we know it today. The most famous model is, of course, the Navitimer, originally developed in 1952 and still the brand’s flagship model today.

The earliest Navitimers were made exclusively for the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA), powered by the renowned Valjoux 72 movement, and featured an all-black dial with the AOPA logo. Produced for only a year, these so-called “pre-806” models are as rare as hen’s teeth and highly prized among collectors. In 1956, Breitling introduced the reference 806, now powered by the Venus 178 movement — a configuration that would remain in use until the early 1970s.

A key update came in 1963, with the introduction of the now-iconic “reverse panda” dial. The following year, the beautiful beaded bezel was replaced with a more practical milled-edge bezel, and the "twin jet" logo was added — resulting in the watch we see here, perhaps the most recognisable iteration of the Navitimer.

This example is a fantastic one. While many early Navitimers suffer from water damage or movement issues, this 60-year-old watch has been preserved in remarkably good condition. The reverse panda dial is largely free from marks, as is the bezel — with the exception of some missing print between “80–90.” The white elements have aged to a pleasing creamy hue, which contrasts beautifully with the black dial. The case has been polished in the past, but not for a long time now; the lugs remain impressively full.

What makes this thing even more special, is that it was issued to the Iraqi Air Force. The exact relationship between Breitling and the Iraqi military remains somewhat of a mystery, but in the early to mid-1960s, a batch of Navitimers was ordered by the air force — each engraved with the Iraqi Air Force crest on its caseback. One can only imagine the life that this watch has led... 

We recently had this watch serviced, and it’s running like a dream: +4 s/d, 295 amplitude, and a 0.3 ms beat error. It’s no secret that we love rare 1960s chronographs here at Fathom — and they really don’t come much cooler than this.