Breitling AOPA 806 Navitimer “Boxed 10” Dial

The vintage Navitimer 806 can be found with two dial variations: the Double Plane (aka Twin Jet) or the AOPA. This pristine example features the AOPA or Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association logo at 12:00 on a black panda dial with silver subdials. The AOPA version has historical significance because in 1952, the first Navitimer was made for the organization. By 1954, the model was available for sale as the APOA’s official watch. This model has the caliber Venus 178 compared to the earlier 1950’s models powered by a Valjoux 72. Sometimes you can tell the difference based on the wings of the logo – the 178 model having a flatter logo design, while the 72 has wings that are more defined.

You will also notice on the dial and bezel that there are very light boxes around the 10’s. This is known as a “boxed 10” dial. Originally, the boxes and arrow markers would have been painted in orange (later in red), but the paint has faded with time. The boxes and lines allowed for easier lining up of the slide-rule computer.

This piece has been restored to excellent condition with a new crystal installed. The hour/minute hands are not original – for some reason, someone along the way thought it would look nice with Chronomat 808 style hands. The chronograph hand and subdial hands are original. The optional new Ted Su croc belly strap with black hardware looks amazing. This is the epitome of pilot watches, and happens to be a beautiful vintage piece in wearable condition.

Again, the hour/minute hands are not original. #fulldisclosure

Additional Details:

• Reference: 806
• Movement: Manual wind, Swiss made
• Caliber: Venus 178
• Column wheel chronograph
• Case: Steel with gold plated finish
• Case Diameter: 41mm (about 44mm including the crown)
• Case Thickness: 13mm
• Dial: Black with silver subdials and inner bezel
• Small seconds at 9:00, 30 mins at 3:00, 12 hours at 6:00
• Crystal: Plastic
• Bezel: Bi-directional internal rotating
• Band: Black Ted Su croc belly strap with off-white stitching
• PVD tang buckle ($200 value included with optional strap upgrade)
• Lug Width: 22mm

Age: Based on the serial number located inside the watch on the caseback, we believe that 106XXXX indicates a production year of 1966.

Includes: No box, no papers.

Condition: Excellent condition overall with a new crystal. New Ted Su strap.