
Wristwatches · Wristwatch
Breitling Navitimer Ref. 8808, 1974
- Maker / attribution
- Breitling (maker)
- Date
- 1974
- Historical period
- Quartz Revolution (1969 – 1990)
- Country of origin
- Switzerland
- Object type
- Wristwatch
- Dimensions
- Case 41 mm
- Stock no.
- BRL8808-74
- Credit line
- Dealer listing, Craft & Tailored (BRL8808-74)
- Catalogue title (original)
- 1974 Breitling Navitimer Ref. 8808 (English)
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Record summary
Catalogued by Craft & Tailored (dealer), Los Angeles (stock number BRL8808-74), this is a wristwatch by Breitling, made in Switzerland, dated 1974. 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 — 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”. Stock # BRL8808-74 Brand Breitling Style Chronograph Model Navitimer Serial 106XXXX Size Men's Material Stainless Steel Dial Black Gloss Millimeters 41mm Strap Breitling NSA folded link bracelet CASE & BRACELET The case of this Breitling Navitimer Ref. 8808 remains in unpolished condition and is wonderfully sharp and stunning! The lugs are thick and remain fully intact. The original Breitling NSA folded link bracelet is in good condition showing minimal stretch with a tight fitting fold over clasp DIAL & HANDS The dial is in good overall condition showing some patina but possesses a unique and eye-catching vintage character. The outer sliding calculator is in perfect functioning condition and has taken on a greenish patina. Some of the numbers and indication points in the outer sliding calculator show some degradation but overall remain intact and visible. The lume on the dial has achieved a wonderful deep golden yellow coloration with very minimal lume degradation and the original hands have also darkened slightly and have some minor cracking but remain intact within the hands. ACCESSORIES
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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