SOLD
: Don’t you love this Breitling ‘Jim Clark’ Twin jet Navitimer
: ref 806 from the late 1960s? Grab it while you can, this is one
: of the most iconic pilot chronographs ever made!

: The Breitling Navitimer was introduced in 1952, more than 65 years
: ago. Navitimer watches are considered to be two of the world's
: true iconic pilot watches.

: Jim Clark, the legendary two-time Formula One world champion, also
: known as The famous ‘Silent Champion’ of formula 1, did not
: only wear the now very sought after and extremely popular Enicar
: Sherpa Graph but he has been seen on many occasion wearing a
: Breitling Navitimer ref 806 while driving his Formula 1 race
: car.

: Some of the history (source
: https://monochrome-watches.com/history-breitling-navitimer/ )

: "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
: ‘Navi’ was born. This slide rule bezel was used to calculate
: complicated operations without any other tool. The 1942
: Chronomat came with an out-sourced movement, the Venus 176. It
: was long time used by the United States Air Forces. The bases of
: the Breitling were settled: a brand dedicated to pilots.

: In 1884, the 24-years-old Léon Breitling, who was already a
: trained watchmaker, arrived in Saint-Imier to create his first
: chronograph. That same year is also considered as the official
: founding year of Breitling. In 1892 the young company moved to
: La Chaux-de-Fonds and produced chronograph pocket watches under
: the name “G. Léon Breitling SA Montbrillant Watch Factory”.
: Within the years, Breitling had seen an increasing demand for
: dashboard clocks (in planes) and for military chronographs. In
: 1915, Breitling introduced its first wrist chronograph with
: central seconds and a 30-minute counter, allowing the pilots to
: achieve basic calculations.

: Background: Pilot watches with chronograph by Breitling

: In 1923, Breitling introduced the first chronograph with pusher
: (usually, start and reset of the chronograph was made through
: the crown). In 1934, Willy Breitling, the successor of Léon,
: came with an idea that is the norm for decades now, the two
: pushers chronograph – one to start and pause the chronograph
: and one to reset timing. But Willy wanted to go further in the
: idea of a calculation tool and asked the mathematician Marcel
: Robert to create a slide rule bezel that could perform complex
: logarithmic calculations. He created a scale with the 3 most
: important units for pilots: STAT for standard mileage, KM for
: kilometres and NAUT for nautical miles. This on-the-wrist
: computer (remember that the pilots in the 40s were working only
: with digital tools) allowed pilots to calculate fuel
: consumptions, average speeds or climbing speeds.

: Breitling Navitimer: a mini-computer for pilots

: 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 edition to be sold
: was the reference 806, powered by a manual chronograph movement
: with column wheel mechanism, the Venus 178. These early
: specimens are now highly collectible, and depending on the
: condition and the edition (AOPA or not, gold filled or stainless
: steel, full black or reverse panda dial), they can reach between
: 2.000Eur and 10.000Eur. The stainless steel versions are among
: the easiest to find but also the most sought-after. The later
: gold plated editions are less popular. Some very rare 18K solid
: gold editions can even reach up to 10.000Eur. One special
: feature for the year 1954: the 806 were equipped with a Valjoux
: 72 (the same movement as the vintage Rolex Daytona) and thus,
: are among the most collectible ones."

: This is a very nice Breitling Navitimer from the late 1960ies and I
: rate this watch as ‘very good’ not a show class new old
: stock but really good, which is reflected in the price. When I
: discovered this piece I thought it had been repainted. But after
: inspecting the dial it is all original. And it is really,
: exceptionally good!

: CASE and BACK: this watch measures a large 41 x 48.3 mm case not
: including crown and is 13mm to the top of the flush fit crystal.
: The heavy all-steel case does not appear to have ever been
: polished and still shows its original bevels and contrast
: satin-polished finish. There are very few superficial scratches
: and some nicks commensurate with a normally worn 49-year-old
: tool watch — Fantastic vintage condition overall. The outer
: part of the snap steel back has some very light and superficial
: scratches but shows its original Breitling nomenclature of the
: period including the 1160446 serial number on the outside, which
: indicates a 1966 production, and correct 806 reference–also
: Excellent original cosmetic condition. The inner caseback shows
: no corrosion and has the correct internal Breitling engraving of
: the era.

: BEZEL & SLIDERULE: The Coin edged rotating bezel is in good
: condition . The bezel itself rotates with good tension in both
: directions as designed. Sliderule is in fantastic condition

: DIAL & HANDS: A Matte black and white dial with white printing
: and finely calibrated track and only the minor imperfections ,
: this later 60s Navitimer has the big white silver subdials
: (reverse panda dial) with nice and even patina. All original
: ‘cream’ colored Tritium luminous numbers that has darkened
: in places. Above the Breiting logo are the Twin Jets. All
: original hands

: CROWN & PUSHERS: Signed Breitling crown looks very clean and
: winds and pulls out to the time-setting position as it should.
: It sits tightly against the case. The two pusher caps are
: likewise in Excellent shape and both chrono pushers work as they
: should and also nice and crisply.

: CRYSTAL: Large flush-fit acrylic crystal is Excellent and without
: scratches and no marks and sits barely proud of the bezel, which
: I believe to be correct for this model.

: MOVEMENT: Legendary Venus 178 chronograph movement is looking
: bright and working well with all correct Breitling nomenclature
: of the era and shock protection. Watch is keeping good time with
: a strong power reserve and all chronograph functions are working
: properly and returning to zero. This is guaranteed to be the
: case at the time of shipment.

: BOX & PAPERS: This watch comes without any of the original
: warranty papers

: PRICE 5200 EUROS contact me at wouter@wristicons.com &
: more details on my site www.wristicons.com

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