Wristwatches · Wristwatch
Breitling Navitimer ref. 806, Gloss Black 'AOPA' Dial
- Maker / attribution
- Breitling (maker)
- Date
- c. 1961
- Historical period
- Modern Mechanical Horology (1945 – 1969)
- Country of origin
- Switzerland
- Object type
- Wristwatch
- Dimensions
- Case 41 mm
- Stock no.
- OC3113
- Credit line
- Dealer listing, Oliver & Clarke (OC3113)
- Catalogue title (original)
- Breitling Navitimer Ref. 806 - Gloss Black 'AOPA' Dial Unpolished (English)
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Record summary
Catalogued by Oliver & Clarke (dealer), United Kingdom (stock number OC3113), this is a wristwatch by Breitling, made in Switzerland, dated c. 1961. 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 — Oliver & Clarke
Breitling has a long and rich history in chronographs — with an emphasis on aviation chronographs. And like so many other brands who have a watch model, or family that has become synonymous with the brand name itself, the Navitimer is just that for Breitling. Introduced in 1954, the Navitimer has enjoyed a virtually uninterrupted production up until today, with the early variants such as this one representing the most collectible throughout its 70+ years of production. This example dates to circa 1961 and is offered in phenomenal overall condition. The 41mm case remains unpolished and touts strong factory finishing throughout and shows normal wear. It features 'pump' pushers, a signed crown, and the characteristic bi-directional rotating 'slide-rule' bezel for navigation. Inside, the dial is beautifully preserved, with a largely clean glossy black surface, evenly patinated indices, and clean subsidiary registers. The correct, contrasting white-painted handset also matches nicely. Additionally, there is a gold logo below the Breitling text on the top half of the dial. These wings are the logo for the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association for which this particular piece was produced for. A nice little bit of extra flair. Powering this piece is the fantastic and proven Venus Cal. 178 manual-winding movement. Vintage Navitimers in condition like this are surprisingly elusive. Collectors tend to hold onto fantastic examples like this one, making for a great opportunity to snag this one.
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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