Released in 1952 and based on Breitling’s 1942 Chronomat, the Breitling Navitimer was the pilot’s watch to end all pilot’s watches. Following Breitling’s collaboration with the AOPA (Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association) to make the slide rule of its Chronomat even more relevant to pilots, the Navitimer was born as the ultimate pilot’s watch. Basically, a hand-held computer, the Navitimer enabled pilots to quickly figure out fuel consumption rates, average speeds, convert between various scales, and much more. Offered as the AOPA’s official watch from 1954 onwards, Breitling would design and sell two AOPA-specific variants. First is the AOPA logo variant, and the Double Plane variant, which followed after and is what we have here. Released in 1956, the ref. 806 variant was designed to capitalize on the Navitimer’s popularity with an upgraded movement, Venus cal. 178 instead of the Valjoux cal. 72 and larger beads on the bezel for greater friction. An iconic watch on its own merit, the Navitimer stands as a tangible piece of horological history that deserves to be celebrated, especially within the pantheon of pilots watches.

Watch is in overall excellent condition. The steel case shows surface scratches and small nicks, while the case back retains crisp engravings along with still-legible reference and serial numbers. The bezel remains well defined. The dial has developed a pleasing cream patina to the white sections, while the lume has blackened over time. The hands remain reasonably clean. It is fitted with a brown leather strap and a steel Breitling pin buckle, both remaining in excellent condition.

An iconic watch that is almost as recognizable on the wrist thanks to its distinctly busy dial and slide-rule bezel, the Navitimer has become a fan favourite among Breitling collectors, and original examples like this are increasingly desirable as a result.