1959 Breitling Navitimer (Ref. 806) “AOPA” Venus 178

The Breitling Navitimer is an evolution of the 1942 Breitling Chronomat, with its typical slide rule bezel. Breitling decided to improve this highly practical bezel and in 1952, the Navitimer was born. This slide rule bezel was used to calculate complicated operations without any other tool. In 1952, the very first Navitimer adorned the “Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association” (AOPA) emblem on its dial (the typical double-wing logo) and by 1960, a real cooperation with the AOPA began. The “Navitimer” name is the contraction of “navigation” and “timer”.

The Breitling Navitimer was first introduced with a Venus manual wind chronograph movement and later changed to the more common Valjoux 72 manual wind chronograph movement. Early AOPA Navitimers have an excellent history behind them and have become one of the most sought after vintage timepiece models watch collectors look to get their hands on, especially in good condition. The case size of 41mm was very large for the specific time period and fits into the modern tool watch sizing category without looking obtrusive.