Breitling Navitimer Ref. 806 (1950s) Value & Price Guide

In 1952, Breitling introduced a chronograph wristwatch with a circular slide rule built into the rotating bezel. Pilots could use it to calculate fuel consumption, rate of climb, airspeed conversions, and multiplication and division problems without ever taking their hands off the controls. They called it the Navitimer, a combination of "navigation" and "timer." The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) adopted it as their official watch, and the AOPA logo appeared on the dial. It became the most famous pilot's watch ever made.

The original Ref. 806 from the 1950s is the one collectors chase. Early AOPA-signed dials in excellent condition sell for $25,000-$50,000+. Even well-worn examples with service dials bring $5,000-$10,000.

Quick Value Summary

Detail	Info
Item	Breitling Navitimer Ref. 806
Year	1954-1960s
Movement	Venus 178 (early) / Valjoux 72 (later)
Case Size	41mm
Category	Watches
Fair (heavy wear, service dial)	$5,000 - $10,000
Good (original dial, some wear)	$12,000 - $20,000
Excellent (AOPA dial, original)	$25,000 - $50,000+
Record Sale	$50,000+ (early Venus 178, AOPA dial, all original)
Rarity	Rare in all-original condition

The Story

Willy Breitling, the third generation of the Breitling family to run the company, had a brilliant idea: take the company's existing chronograph expertise and add a circular slide rule to the bezel. Pilots had been using E6B flight computers (circular slide rules on flat cards) for years. Breitling miniaturized the concept and put it on a wrist.

The first Navitimers used the Venus 178 hand-wound chronograph movement, a robust and reliable caliber. Later production switched to the Valjoux 72, another excellent movement. Both are considered desirable by collectors, though the Venus 178 versions from the earliest production years command the highest premiums.

The AOPA partnership was key to the watch's success. The AOPA logo (a pair of wings flanking the organization's letters) appeared on the dial at the 12 o'clock position. This partnership continued for decades and the AOPA-signed dial has become the most recognizable feature of vintage Navitimers.

The Ref. 806 was produced for roughly two decades with various updates. Early 1950s examples have a slightly different case shape and dial layout than later 1960s versions. Collectors parse these differences carefully, as the earliest examples carry significant premiums.

How to Identify It

Case reference: The case back is stamped with "806" or the full reference number. Early examples may also show the Breitling Geneve marking.

Dial markers: AOPA logo at 12 o'clock (on AOPA versions). "Breitling" and "Navitimer" text on the dial. Sub-dials at 3, 6, and 9 o'clock for the chronograph functions.

Bezel: The rotating slide rule bezel is the defining feature. It should rotate smoothly and the numbers should be clearly legible. A worn bezel significantly affects value.

Movement: Open the case back (carefully, by a professional) to verify the Venus 178 or Valjoux 72 movement. Movement serial numbers can help date the watch.

Case size: Original Ref. 806 is 41mm. Later references (809, 816) have different dimensions and movements.

Value by Condition

Poor (non-running, damaged): $3,000 - $5,000 Watch doesn't run, case is damaged, bezel is seized, dial has significant damage. Still has value due to the case and potential for restoration, but costs to restore can be substantial.

Fair (running, service dial): $5,000 - $10,000 Watch runs but has been serviced with a replacement dial, replacement hands, or a polished case. A service dial (identified by modern printing or incorrect font) reduces value significantly compared to an original dial.

Good (original dial, normal wear): $12,000 - $20,000 Original dial with patina consistent with age. Case shows normal wear (light scratches, minor dings). Movement runs and chronograph functions. All original components.

Excellent (all original, AOPA dial): $25,000 - $50,000+ Original AOPA-signed dial in clean condition. Original hands. Unpolished case with sharp edges. Original crown. Running chronograph with proper reset. This is the collector's ideal.

Known Variations

AOPA dial vs. non-AOPA dial: Early production featured the AOPA logo. Later examples (especially those sold outside AOPA channels) may not have it. AOPA dials are more valuable.

Venus 178 vs. Valjoux 72: The earliest examples use the Venus 178 movement. Later production switched to the Valjoux 72. Venus 178 examples are rarer and command a 20-30% premium.

Gilt vs. silver dial: Some variations feature gilt (gold-toned) text and indices versus silver. Gilt dials are generally more sought after.

All-black dial vs. reverse panda: Sub-dial color combinations vary. The classic look has black sub-dials on a black dial with contrasting white indices.

Authentication and Fakes

Franken-watches: The most common problem. Parts from different era Navitimers are combined into a single watch. A 1960s case might have a later dial, wrong hands, or a movement from a different reference. A knowledgeable watchmaker or authentication service is essential.

Redial detection: Many Navitimer dials have been refinished (redialed) over the decades. Signs include overly perfect printing, incorrect font spacing, and lacquer that doesn't show appropriate aging. A redialed watch is worth 30-50% less than an original-dial example.

Case polishing: Overly polished cases lose their original edge definition. The Navitimer case has specific bevels and angles that disappear with heavy polishing. An unpolished case is significantly more valuable.

Service records: A watch with documented service history from authorized Breitling service centers is more trustworthy than one without provenance.

Where to Sell

Specialist watch dealers: Companies like Hodinkee, Bob's Watches, and Crown & Caliber handle vintage Breitling. Expect 70-85% of retail value.

Auction houses (excellent condition): Christie's, Sotheby's, and Phillips handle high-end vintage watches. For $25,000+ examples, the auction route creates competition.

Chrono24 and WatchBox: Online marketplaces with built-in buyer trust. Commission varies.

Expected costs for a $20,000 sale: Service/cleaning (if needed): $500-$1,000. Photography: $100-$200. Auction commission: 10-15%. Net to seller: $15,000-$17,000.

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