Breitling Navitimer 806

Breitling Ref. 806 A rare and early stainless steel pilot’s chronograph wristwatch with black dial and “beads of rice” slide rule bezel, part of the Watch Museum VOGA collection in Japan

Manufacturer : Breitling Year : 1955 Reference No : 806 Case No : 864'508 Model Name : Navitimer Material : Stainless steel Calibre : Manual, cal. valjoux 72, 17 jewels Bracelet/Strap : Leather Clasp/Buckle : Stainless steel Breitling pin buckle Dimensions : 40mm diameter Signed : Case, dial, movement and buckle signed Accessories : Accompanied by an associated Breitling certificate and a copy of the Watch Museum VOGA Antique Collection Literature : The present example is prominently illustrated in Watch Museum VOGA Antique Collection by Toshio Masui, Low BEAT and C’s Factory Co p. 21 The present execution part of the Watch Museum VOGA collection is from a very small early batch considered by collectors as a ‘transitional’ model. Featuring a rare non branded dial, it is powered by the early valjoux 72 calibre stamped with BOW import code. It is notable that BOW was used by watches imported into the USA by Breitling themselves and later examples were imported by Wakmann instead with a WOG stamp. A rare Breitling Navitimer ref. 806 “AOPA” collected by Toshio Masio, this is a beautiful specimen that boast another early batch feature, the small beaded slide ruler with 124 beads. A well-preserved dial with superbly aged luminous numerals and hands, it reacts strongly under the Geiger counter. According to Breitling's archive, the present timepiece dates back to October 1955.