02-front_marked
03-back-no-sn_marked
04-side3_marked
05-side6_marked
06-side9_marked
07-side12_marked
08-caliber_marked
09-dial_marked
10-bezel_marked
11-caseback-out-no-sn_marked
12-caseback-in_marked

Watch
Score

8.5/ 10

Key features

  • Rare “Box 10” dial

  • Very good unrestored condition

Learn more about the WATCHFID Rating.

About this watch

In 1952, the US Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (abbreviated AOPA) contacted Breitling to develop a chronograph that would allow its members to perform all kinds of calculations necessary in flight: average speed, fuel consumption, distance, conversion kilometers in miles.

These challenging requirements were made possible by a logarithmic slide rule integrated into a rotating bezel. The NAVITIMER was born, with presumably the first examples produced in 1954.

The very first Navitimers were fitted with a Valjoux 72 calibre, quickly replaced by the Venus 178 (reference 806). The dials were completely black and there were several variations of inscriptions, some without the name BREITLING, but all had the applied gold AOPA wings. In 1963, readability was improved with contrasting white/silver subdials and the replacement of Arabic numerals by indexes (only the 12 was kept). The beaded bezel was replaced about a year later with a milled edge bezel. Around 1965, Breitling introduced its “Twin Jets” logo.

The present model, reference 806, is characterized by a red box enclosing the number 10 of the dial and of the bezel, corresponding to the unit index for calculations. That’s why it is nicknamed “Box 10” or “Red Box”. It was produced around 1967 and 1968.

#1.222.xxx was produced circa 1968.

It is in very good condition, with parts conforming to the original, earning a Watch Score of 8.5.

An Extra Score of + 0.5 is given for its overall consistency.

Our WATCHFID Rating is 9.0.

Condition Report

This watch is provided with an exclusive 32-page book: the WATCHFID Condition Report.