Wristwatches · Wristwatch
Breitling Navitimer Black Dial”Twin jet” Ref 7806, early 1973
- Maker / attribution
- Breitling (maker)
- Date
- early 1973
- Historical period
- Quartz Revolution (1969 – 1990)
- Country of origin
- Switzerland
- Object type
- Wristwatch
- Dimensions
- Case 41 mm
- Stock no.
- W-2601
- Credit line
- Dealer listing, Bulang & Sons (W-2601)
- Catalogue title (original)
- Breitling Navitimer Black Dial”Twin jet” Ref 7806 (English)
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Record summary
Catalogued by Bulang & Sons (dealer), Copenhagen (stock number W-2601), this is a wristwatch by Breitling, made in Switzerland, dated early 1973. The Atlas places it in the Quartz Revolution period (1969 – 1990) of its Wristwatches collection. Recorded dimensions: Case 41 mm. The record is illustrated with 6 photographs.
Assembled from the source record's structured fields. Dates and attributions are given as the source states them; where a field is missing the Atlas leaves it blank rather than estimating.
Catalogue description
Dealer description — Bulang & Sons
The vintage Breitling Navitimer is one of the most iconic watches, as recognisable as a Speedmaster or a Submariner! Breitling launched a new manual-wind chrono as a successor to the classic Navitimer 806 in 1972. Reference 7806 was housed in the traditional 41mm steel case and powered by the, following the end of the Venus calibre 178 supply. The revised Navitimer 7806 was distinguished by its prominent Big Eyes hour and minute counters, a running seconds display at 12, and, for the first time, a date feature at 4:30. This is a lovely example with a 41mm steel case is in outstanding condition and the bezel is still well defined. The watch houses a black dial with twin plane variation with silver printed logo. This cool Navigator will come on the pictured Bulang and Sons leather strap with original Breitling steel buckle fitted. The manual-wind Valjoux calibre R7740 movement has been fully serviced by our watchmaker. Iconic chronos are never out of style and this Breitling is a great example. Please arrange a visit to us in our lounge or let’s jump on a video call. Specifications: - Breitling Navitimer Chronograph ref 7806 - Serial 143xxxx dates to the early 1973 - 41mm steel case - Reverse panda twin plane logo dial - Valjoux calibre R7740 manual wind movement - Comes on the pictured strap with original Breitling buckle - Fully serviced by our watchmaker
Historical context
Quartz Revolution (1969 – 1990)
Seiko's Astron begins mass quartz timekeeping; traditional industries contract sharply.
Quartz and digital watches transformed the market after 1969. Swiss employment collapsed, Japanese and Hong Kong production soared, and the Swatch (1983) helped the Swiss industry recover; mechanical watches survived as luxury goods.
Read the period in the timelineMore wristwatches from this periodEarlier: Modern Mechanical Horology
Atlas type guide
Wristwatches
Bracelet watches were worn by women from the early nineteenth century — Breguet made one for Caroline Murat, Queen of Naples, in 1810–12 — but the wristwatch only became a man's instrument with military use and aviation in the early twentieth century. Between the World Wars it overtook the pocket watch; the 1920s and 1930s brought rectangular Art Deco cases, water-resistant cases and the first automatic winding systems.
After 1945 the wristwatch became a carrier of identity — dress watches, sports and dive watches, chronographs, calendars — produced by Swiss, American, Japanese, German, Soviet and Chinese industries. The quartz revolution after 1969 and the mechanical renaissance since the 1990s, including the rise of independent watchmakers, complete the story.
What to look for
- The reference number (between the lugs or inside the case back) and serial number, the starting point for dating.
- The calibre: its maker and number are often stamped under the dial or on the bridge.
- Originality of dial, hands and crown — refinished ('redial') dials are common.
- Case material marks: 18K/750, 14K/585, stainless steel, gold-filled, plated.
Dating clues
- Wire-lug cases: before c. 1925.
- Water-resistant screw-down cases: from 1926.
- Quartz movements: from 1969; sapphire crystals widespread after c. 1980.
General guidance written by the Atlas editors about this kind of object. It is not a statement about this particular piece; for that, rely on the source record above and on physical examination.
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