THE ESSENTIALS
MAKE: BREITLING
MODEL: 806
YEAR: 1958
BOX/PAPERS: NO/NO
CASE DIAMETER: 40mm
CASE MATERIAL: STAINLESS STEEL
BRACELET MATERIAL: LEATHER
MOVEMENT: MANUAL WIND
Among vintage chronograph enthusiasts, few would argue that it was not Heuer, Rolex, or Omega—but Breitling—that had the greatest impact on shaping the world of sports chronographs as we know it today. The brand’s most famous model is, of course, the Navitimer, originally developed in 1952 and still Breitling’s flagship today.
The earliest Navitimers were produced exclusively for the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA). Powered by the renowned Valjoux 72 movement, they featured an all-black dial signed with the AOPA logo. Produced for just one year, these so-called “pre-806” models are as rare as hen’s teeth and highly prized among collectors. In 1956, Breitling introduced reference 806, now powered by the Venus 178 movement—a configuration that would remain in use until the early 1970s.
While many people associate the 806 with the familiar “reverse panda” dial and white subdials, the earliest examples featured all-black dials. These are by far the most collectible among Breitling enthusiasts. The present watch is a very early (and rare) variation of the 806, featuring a Mk 2.2 dial. While many early Navitimers suffer from water ingress or movement issues, this near 70-year-old example has been preserved in astonishing condition. It is completely correct throughout, from the beaded bezel with its full 92 beads (yes, we counted), to the all-black dial with Breitling and Genève signatures, the stylised “B,” and the radium-lumed syringe hands and chronograph seconds hand. It is genuinely amazing on the wrist.
This configuration—specifically the sibling without the “Genève” signature—was the reference point for Breitling’s 2019 “1959 Re-Edition.”
The movement has received a full overhaul and is running at –1 s/day, with an amplitude of 310° and a beat error of 0.4 ms. An original instruction manual accompanies the watch—perfect if you decide to use the circular slide rule to calculate fuel consumption on the M25.