A vintage Breitling Navitimer Chrono-Matic, Model Reference: 1806, with Caliber 11 Automatic Movement

The Breitling Navitimer is an impressive piece of kit with its slide rule bezel, or mechanical flight calculator, a feature that was developed before the invention of digital instruments. The feature was used for calculating crucial flight information such as climbing speeds, fuel consumption, and flight times. 

The Breitling Navitimer remains a popular watch for many pilots to this day. This particular example is the Navitimer Chrono-Matic - reference 1806.

What’s On Offer 

Although this watch is large at 48mm, it wears very comfortably. The robust octagonal case with chronograph pushers at 2 and 4 O’clock, and left-handed crown make for a stylishly substantial package and aid its comfortable feel on the wrist. The black dial, with a speckling of charismatic patina, sits proudly inside the inner bi-directional bezel.

The slightly dished subdials at 3 and 9 o clock punch out nicely against the black and the lume on the hour markers and stick hands is intact and appealing. The elegant arrowhead seconds hand in zesty orange adds a stylish pop of colour. The framed date aperture at 6 o clock is crisp and balances out what is a somewhat complex dial, however, all of the assets are clear. The cog style black outer bezel shows signs of wear to the edges, however, on a watch of this age it only adds to the character and as it is a tool watch that was likely to have been used for its intended purpose, you would expect signs of use! 

A substantial watch with sophisticated features which has aged well and will sit well alongside any modern-day counterpart.