Vintage Breitling AOPA Dial Navitimer Ref.806 c.1967

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The Watch

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Without a doubt, one of the most iconic chronographs of all time...the Breitling Navitimer 806.

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The relationship between Breitling and the AOPA is stuff of legends, "AOPA" meaning Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association. In 1952, Willy Breitling developed a Wristwatch that allowed pilots to perform all necessary flight calculations. Two years later, the AOPA selected his design as its official timepiece. This led to the Navitimer, which was “completely designed and engineered to AOPA specifications” originally featured only the AOPA logo at 12 o’clock, unlike later models which would include both AOPA and Breitling logos. Fast forward to 2023 and the Breitling and AOPA torch is still shining bright with Breitling releasing celebration models for the 70th anniversary in 2022.  

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This particular variant of the 806 dates from 1967 and the Dial as a silver AOPA logo rather than gilded gold was only offered by Breitling for one or two years in the mid to late 1960s. The Venus 178 movement bears import marks for Wakmann, who were Breitling's importers into the United States of America.

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View this aviator in a video: here

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The Specs


Age: c.1967.
Reference: 806.
Movement: Manual wind with 30 min, 12 hour Chronograph. 
Calibre: Venus 178.
Timekeeping: Very good.
Service History: Fully Serviced March 2023.
Dial: Original Silver AOPA Breitling Dial.
Case: Stainless Steel.
Measurements: 40mm/43.7mm with Crown. 47.7mm end of lug to lug.
Bezel: Ridged Bi-Directional 
Water Resistant?: No.
Hands: Original. 
Crystal: Believed to be Original.
Crown and Pushers: Original signed Crown and Original pushers.
Strap/Bracelet: On a new Hirsch Tan Brown "James" Strap, Hirsch steel buckle.
Lug Width: 22mm


Getting Acquainted

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Bits that stand out:
- Supreme Quality Venus 178 Movement.
- Designed for Pilots.
- Ridged Bezel.
-Uncommon Silver AOPA logo.

Nitty Gritty:
-Some scratches throughout the Case. Unpolished.
-Some scratches to the Crystal.
-Age related discolouration of the Original Tritium.
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Overall this Navi is in very nice Vintage condition.
The Hands are all original with some age related discolouration.
Steel Case is in good nick, with some scratches throughout but unpolished.
Crystal is very possibly original and has some light scratches.
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Photographed on a 7in Wrist.