{"product_id":"1959-breitling-navitimer-vintage-aviators-aopa-chronograph-watch-stainless-steel-1","title":"1959 Breitling Navitimer Vintage Aviator's AOPA Chronograph Watch - Stainless Steel","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWhen 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. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe 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.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSerious 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. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eToday'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!\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIt 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. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIts 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. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIts Breitling Venus 178 movement is very clean. Photos of the inside available upon request.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eOne 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. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFor 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.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAccompanying the watch is a Breitling service box and Breitling polishing cloth.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eLike 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.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eManufacturer:\u003c\/b\u003e Breitling \u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eCountry of origin:\u003c\/b\u003e Switzerland \u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSerial no.:\u003c\/b\u003e 919,835\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eYear built:\u003c\/b\u003e 1959\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eFunctions:\u003c\/b\u003e Hours, Minutes, Chronograph, Slide Rule, Subsidiary Seconds \u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eModel:\u003c\/b\u003e Ref. 806 Navitimer, early A.O.P.A. edition\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eDesigned for:\u003c\/b\u003e Men \u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eCase material:\u003c\/b\u003e Stainless steel\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eCase markings (inside):\u003c\/b\u003e Breitling Watch Ltd., Swiss, 919,835\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eCase markings (outside):\u003c\/b\u003e Breitling, stainless steel, 806\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eCase condition:\u003c\/b\u003e 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.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eDial:\u003c\/b\u003e 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\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eDial condition:\u003c\/b\u003e Untouched, original, retains a strong black color with only light fading over the years\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/b\u003e 40mm wide (without crown), 47mm lugs tip-to-tip\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eHands:\u003c\/b\u003e Original, luminous batons\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eMovement markings:\u003c\/b\u003e Breitling Watch Co.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eMovement type:\u003c\/b\u003e Cal. 178, copper-colored, 17 jewels, straight-line lever escapement, monometallic balance, shock absorber, self compensating flat balance spring\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eJewels:\u003c\/b\u003e 17 rubies\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eBand:\u003c\/b\u003e 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.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eBand condition:\u003c\/b\u003e Brand new, unused\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWidth between lugs:\u003c\/b\u003e 21mm\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eCrystal type:\u003c\/b\u003e Acrylic, original, very good condition\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eService:\u003c\/b\u003e 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). \u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eTiming:\u003c\/b\u003e 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.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWarranty:\u003c\/b\u003e 1-year C.O.T. international warranty.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eBox\/Papers:\u003c\/b\u003e BOX - Breitling service box and Breitling polishing cloth.; PAPERS - Custom printed Connoisseur of Time Certificate of Authenticity; New timing certificate\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eReturns:\u003c\/b\u003e 7 days full refund. 100% satisfaction guarantee\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Breitling","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42645509505113,"sku":"XL-01","price":6895.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1219\/5194\/files\/1118478472_o.jpg?v=1757341806","url":"https:\/\/shop.connoisseuroftime.com\/products\/1959-breitling-navitimer-vintage-aviators-aopa-chronograph-watch-stainless-steel-1","provider":"Connoisseur of Time","version":"1.0","type":"link"}