Skip to content
Breitling Navitimer Black Twin Jet Dial Ref 806, mid 1960 — view 1 of 6
View 1 of 6 · Image: Bulang & Sons · original image source (opens another website in a new tab)

Wristwatches · Wristwatch

Breitling Navitimer Black Twin Jet Dial Ref 806, mid 1960

DocumentedDocumented from a dealer's listing; attribution and date as stated by the dealer.
Maker / attribution
Breitling (maker)
Date
mid 1960
Country of origin
Switzerland
Object type
Wristwatch
Dimensions
Case 41 mm
Stock no.
W-2600
Credit line
Dealer listing, Bulang & Sons (W-2600)
Catalogue title (original)
Breitling Navitimer Black Twin Jet Dial Ref 806 (English)

View the source record (dealer listing) ↗ (opens another website in a new tab)Suggest a correction

Record summary

Catalogued by Bulang & Sons (dealer), Copenhagen (stock number W-2600), this is a wristwatch by Breitling, made in Switzerland, dated mid 1960. The Atlas places it in the Modern Mechanical Horology period (1945 – 1969) 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

We love these vintage Breitling Navitimers, that are truly an iconic watch, as worn by Miles Davis, Jim Clark, Jo Sieffert, Graham Hill amongst others! The Navitimer is a pilot’s chrono, designed for navigation with a slide-rule function and we have a rare example today with a so-called Twin Jet dial and cool matching Twin Jet Buckle. This 806 houses a glossy black dial with great patina on both the hands and indexes, with some aging as is often seen on these references. The dial features both KPH and MPH and is a rarer Twin Jet logo version. The 41mm steel case is in outstanding condition and bezel is still well defined. This cool chrono will come on the pictured leather strap and will come with a spare Twin Jet logo buckle too. This watch has a manual-wind Venus 178 movement that has been fully serviced by our watchmaker. This is a cool and rare vintage chrono, that were known to be completely non-waterproof and so it’s are to find them looking this nice. Please get in touch to find out more! Specifications: - Breitling Navitimer Chronograph ref 806 - Serial 1020xxx dates to the mid 1960 - 41mm steel case - Twin Jet dial - Venus 178 manual wind movement - Comes on the pictured strap with spare Breitling Twin Jet buckle - Fully serviced by our watchmaker - Includes a handmade leather watch pouch

Historical context

Modern Mechanical Horology (1945 – 1969)

Tool watches for divers, pilots and astronauts; electric watches anticipate the electronic age.

The classic era of the mechanical wristwatch: dive watches, chronographs for motor racing and space flight, GMT watches for jet travel, slim dress watches, automatic calendars, and the rise of Japanese manufacturers alongside Swiss, American, German and Soviet industries.

Read the period in the timelineMore wristwatches from this periodEarlier: Golden Age of Mechanical Watchmaking

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.

Read next:Detached lever escapementIdentification Centre

Related records