The Navitimer is the most iconic model the brand ever made, and as such it is at the top of collector's wish list who have an interest in Breitling, aviation, or special chronographs.

When the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (A.O.P.A.) needed a timepiece that would better serve their pilot's needs in the cockpit, they called upon Breitling, the renowned manufacturer of technical watches, who rose to the occassion to accomplish this impressive feat through the Navitimer, the world's most advanced aviation timepiece at the time.

The Navitimer was special in a number of ways; what was especially useful for for pilots was the navigational computer built into the watch. The rotating bezel functioned as a slide rule, giving pilots the ability to calculate remaining distances, fuel consumption, and other critical flight equations. Its rotating bezel functioned as a slide rule. Used as a navigational computer, it gave pilots the ability to calculate remaining distances, fuel consumption, and other critical flight equations.

Serious collectors will recognize the important wristwatch listed in this offering as a rare early AOPA Navitimer. These scarce early examples were not offered for sale to the public like nearly all Navitimers then and now; to obtain one, the purchaser had to be an eligible member of the A.O.P.A. And then the watches were sold in a fairly limited quantities.

Today's offering showcases this honest, original early AOPA Navitimer with small bead bezel, more elegant than the later angular versions. This A.O.P.A. edition was sold available commercially through Breitling. Our photos couldn't begin to do it justice!

It is in honest original condition and presents nicely. Because these were "tool" watches they often show much wear and the complicated dials did not refinish well. Somewhere during its lifetime a watchmaker put the case in a vise to assist in him in removing the bezel so there are four identical marks on the sides of the lugs. As a tool watch function was prioritized over appearance. Otherwise Its case presents in excellent only very slight signs of previous polishing.

Its untouched original dial retains a strong black color with only light fading over the years. The luminous has darkly toned giving the numbers a "ghosted" appearance.

Its Breitling Venus 178 movement is very clean. Photos of the inside available upon request.

One of our Master Watchmakers has fully serviced the watch which consists of fully disassembling the movement, carefully inspecting each part, replacing any overly worn components, reassembling and lubricating the movement, and extensive testing (a $795 value). It is running strongly. Its amplitude (how strong it ticks) remains nearly on par with a new Breitling.

For the finishing touch we have equipped it with a brand new Italian calfskin strap making it ready for immediate enjoyment. It can also be equipped with one of the brand new vintage style distressed leather straps shown in the photos of the watch on the wrist if you would like.

Accompanying the watch is a Breitling service box and Breitling polishing cloth.

Like always, included with the purchase is a full one-year international warranty on the movement and its function, a custom printed Connoisseur of Time Certificate of Authenticity, and a new timing certificate attesting to its performance.

• Manufacturer: Breitling
• Country of origin: Switzerland
• Serial no.: 919,835
• Year built: 1959
• Functions: Hours, Minutes, Chronograph, Slide Rule, Subsidiary Seconds
• Model: Ref. 806 Navitimer, early A.O.P.A. edition
• Designed for: Men
• Case material: Stainless steel
• Case markings (inside): Breitling Watch Ltd., Swiss, 919,835
• Case markings (outside): Breitling, stainless steel, 806
• Case condition: Somewhere during its lifetime a watchmaker put the case in a vise to assist in him in removing the bezel so there are four identical marks on the sides of the lugs. As a tool watch function was prioritized over appearance. Otherwise Its case presents in excellent only very slight signs of previous polishing. The stamping on the back is clearer than the photos seem to suggest.
• Dial: Original finish, signed Breitling Navitimer with "AOPA" winged logo, black with luminous Arabic numerals, subsidiary dials for the seconds, the 12-hour and 30-minute registers, outer telemeter and slide-rule graduations, original and untouched
• Dial condition: Untouched, original, retains a strong black color with only light fading over the years
• Dimensions: 40mm wide (without crown), 47mm lugs tip-to-tip
• Hands: Original, luminous batons
• Movement markings: Breitling Watch Co.
• Movement type: Cal. 178, copper-colored, 17 jewels, straight-line lever escapement, monometallic balance, shock absorber, self compensating flat balance spring
• Jewels: 17 rubies
• Band: Italian calfskin leather, fully stitched, padded, brand new and unworn. It can also be equipped with one of the brand new vintage style distressed leather straps shown in the photos of the watch on the wrist if you would like.
• Band condition: Brand new, unused
• Width between lugs: 21mm
• Crystal type: Acrylic, original, very good condition
• Service: One of our Master Watchmakers has fully serviced the watch which consists of fully disassembling the movement, carefully inspecting each part, replacing any overly worn components, reassembling and lubricating the movement, and extensive testing (a $795 value).
• Timing: Timed on a state-of-the-art computerized system. It is running strongly. Its amplitude (how strong it ticks) remains nearly on par with a new Breitling. Your watch is important to us, and we will take care of it for its lifetime. We provide the best after sale care in the business with an extremely experienced team of four Master Watchmakers all of whom each have over thirty-five years of experience and a large number of parts. One used to be the watchmaker for an authorized Rolex dealership and was given special training by Rolex at their Beverly Hills Service Center.
• Warranty: 1-year C.O.T. international warranty.
• Box/Papers: BOX - Breitling service box and Breitling polishing cloth.; PAPERS - Connoisseur of Time Certificate of Authenticity; New timing certificate
• Returns: 7 days full refund. 100% satisfaction guarantee