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Breitling Navitimer Ref. 806 AOPA Gilt Dial, 1966 — view 1 of 6
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Wristwatches · Wristwatch

Breitling Navitimer Ref. 806 AOPA Gilt Dial, 1966

DocumentedDocumented from a dealer's listing; attribution and date as stated by the dealer.
Maker / attribution
Breitling (maker)
Date
1966
Country of origin
Switzerland
Object type
Wristwatch
Dimensions
Case 41 mm
Stock no.
BRL806GLT66-2
Credit line
Dealer listing, Craft & Tailored (BRL806GLT66-2)
Catalogue title (original)
1966 Breitling Navitimer Ref. 806 AOPA Gilt Dial W/ Wakkman Box and Pamphlet (English)

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Record summary

Catalogued by Craft & Tailored (dealer), Los Angeles (stock number BRL806GLT66-2), this is a wristwatch by Breitling, made in Switzerland, dated 1966. 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 — Craft & Tailored

The Breitling Navitimer is an evolution of the 1942 Breitling Chronomat, with its typical slide rule bezel. Breitling decided to improve this highly practical bezel and in 1952, the Navitimer was born. This slide rule bezel was used to calculate complicated operations without any other tool. In 1952, the very first Navitimer adorned the “Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association” (AOPA) emblem on its dial (the typical double-wing logo) and by 1960, a real cooperation with the AOPA began. The “Navitimer” name is the contraction of “navigation” and “timer”. The first Navitimer 806 editions were sold with a Venus 178 manual chronograph movement such as the one that we are featuring here at Craft & Tailored. The glossy black silver gilt dial remains in untouched condition. The dial itself is rare due to the fact that is Signed AOPA which is only found in the early Ref. 806 reference and initially only sold to AOPA members. The case size of 41mm was very large for the specific time period and fits into the modern tool watch sizing category without looking obtrusive. The outer bezel is in wonderful condition and functions flawlessly. Stock # BRL806GLT66-2 Brand Breitling Style Pilots Chronograph Model 806 Navitimer AOPA Serial 106XXXX Size Men's Material Stainless Steel Dial Black Gloss Silver Gilt Millimeters 41mm Strap Horween Leather Nato Strap CASE & BRACELET The case of this 1966 Breitling Navitimer Ref. 806 remains in sharp and unpolished condition. The watch will come complete with a Horween Leather NATO Strap. DIAL & HANDS The glossy black silver gilt dial remains in untouched condition. The dial is signed with the AOPA wings and Navitimer above the 6 o'clock position on the dial. The dial also possesses a sought-after silver gilting which is also rare and sought after for the 806 reference. The lume on the dial and hands is matching and has taken on the wonderful patina. The outer sliding bezel functions flawlessly and possessed a wonderful patina with all numbers and markings intact and visible. The lume within the hands is intact and also matches the lume on the dial. ACCESSORIES

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.

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