Breitling’s Navitimer (navigation and timer) chronograph watch is an iconic amongst collectors because it is the ultimate “tool” watch. Initially released in the 1950s, the Navitimer was a timepiece pilots used for a navigational tool. The rotating slide rule first made its appearance on Breitling wristwatches with the Chronomat model, released in 1942, and was intended to assist pilots with a multitude of flight details including airspeed, fuel consumption, flight time, distance and kilometer nautical miles and gallon/liter fuel conversions. The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) developed the Navitimer in conjunction with Breitling and the watch was released in 1954. The AOPA named the watch as its official timekeeper and soon was used globally. The initial examples featured a Valjoux 72 movement, however this was soon upgraded in 1955 to a Venus 178 movement similar to the present example. The Navitimer chronograph has remained in the Breitling line up since it was first released and in 2019 the brand released a re-edition, which was a faithful replica of the 1950s model.

The present watch is in excellent overall condition with a black dial and gilt AOPA logo below the 12 o’clock. The movement features the “WOG” import code, indicating the Wakmann Watch Co., the American Breitling representative and confirmed being produced in 1966. For collectors who appreciate the history of horology, the reference 806 is a must have timepiece.