THE ESSENTIALS

MAKE: BREITLING
MODEL: 806
YEAR: 1965
BOX/PAPERS: YES/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 in 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 offering.

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 just a year, these "pre-806" models are as rare as hen's teeth and highly prized among collectors. In 1956, the reference 806 was introduced, now powered by the Venus 178 movement—a mainstay until the early 1970s.

A key update arrived in 1963 with the introduction of the now-iconic "reverse panda" dial. A year later, the beautiful beaded bezel was replaced by a more practical milled-edge version, and the "twin jet" logo was added—bringing us to the design most associated with the Navitimer today.

While many early Navitimers suffer from water ingress or movement issues, this 60-year-old timepiece has been preserved in astonishingly good condition. In fact, if not for the beautifully warm tritium lume and its unmistakable dial layout, you might think this watch had just left the Breitling showroom. The dial is spotless, and the case remains unmarked—save for a small knock on the back of the top left lug. The engravings on the case back are as sharp as they were on day one.

It has been freshly checked over and is running like a dream at +5 s/d, 345 amplitude, with a 0.4 ms beat error. The original box is also present. It’s no secret that we have a deep love for rare 1960s chronographs here at Fathom, and this is one of the most stunning examples we've ever had the privilege to present.