No stranger to pioneering feats of horology, in 1915, Breitling was among the earliest brands to launch a wristwatch chronograph. It was in 1923, that the manufacture patented a two-pusher chronograph, allowing for the first time a chronograph to time separate, successive intervals without having to reset to zero between each interval. Breitling's innovative and rich experience with chronographs resulted in one of the most iconic wristwatches of the 20th century and arguably, the most successful aviator's wristwatch ever: the Navitimer. Over the years, the Navitimer has undergone a variety of cosmetic and mechanical changes, yet it has always remained a measuring instrument rooted in strong traditions.

The Navitimer is a tool watch in the purest sense. Each element of the watch was designed specifically for accuracy and efficiency in execution. The beaded edge allowed for pilots to grasp and turn the bezel while wearing thick leather gloves. The slide rule, a rather baffling complication to the layman, was critical in making intricate calculations in the pre-digital era.

The present lot is perhaps one of its purest expressions of this tradition of aviation and innovation. It stands out with its exceptional state of preservation. It has been confirmed by the manufacture as being produced in mid 1959 with the corresponding 'AOPA' logo and all black dial with black subsidiary registers. The 'AOPA' logo, an applied gilt metal pair of wings, is the symbol of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association established in 1939 which is the largest international independent organization of pilots. The 'AOPA' Navitimer was only made for the American market, and is consequently stamped on the movement with the import code, 'WOG' for the Wakmann Watch Co., the American arm of Breitling. Complete with its hardly ever seen original box and product literature, it bears all the traits that embody a reference 806 from 1959, with its Venus 178 movement, beaded bezel, and Mark II white-painted hands.