Breitling Navitimer Twin Jet Yellow Gold Ref. 806, circa 1965

Price upon request

Identity

18-carat yellow gold Breitling Navitimer, Ref. 806, circa 1965. Manual-winding chronograph movement with three sub-dials. 18-carat yellow gold case, 41 mm diameter, signed crown and pump pushers, case back engraved with the reference 806 and stamped 18 K 0.750. Rotating fluted bezel with circular slide rule. Black dial with three silver sub-dials featuring concentric patterns — small seconds at 9 o'clock, 30-minute counter at 3 o'clock, 12-hour counter at 6 o'clock —, applied baton markers and tritium luminous hands, framed 12 numeral below the MPH inscription, Twin Jet logo and Breitling Genève signature. Plexiglass crystal. Leather strap with original Breitling monogrammed pin buckle.

Horological context

Founded in 1884 in Saint-Imier by Léon Breitling, the house devoted itself from the outset to short-time counters and introduced the universally adopted two-pusher chronograph in 1934. The Navitimer was developed in 1952 and released in 1954. Its rotating bezel features a circular slide rule inherited from the E6B flight computer of the 1930s: it calculates distance, flight time, speed and fuel consumption. The first ones were reserved for members of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, who purchased them directly for eighty-seven dollars and fifty cents. The Ref. 806 was released in 1956, powered by the manual-winding Venus 178 calibre and produced until the early 1970s; in 1964, the Twin Jet logo replaced the AOPA wings and the fluted bezel permanently replaced the beaded bezel. In the early 1980s, the Navitimer switched to quartz under the name Jupiter, supplied notably to several Middle Eastern air forces. The line is still featured in the catalogue.

Personality

The tritium luminescence of the markers and hands has turned cream, while the three sub-dials have retained a clear silver: the dial is two-tone. The slide rule is printed on two registers — the silver outer ring, the inner scales in gold on black — with the KM, STAT and NAUT markings in orange. The bezel teeth remain sharp. While the Ref. 806 is essentially a steel or gold-plated watch, this 18-carat solid gold version is rare and highly sought after.

Serviced watch. Very good condition. Supplied with the brand's box and the 24-month Contre-Temps warranty certificate.