The Breitling Watch Source Forums

Could someone please help me appraise this vintage Breitling 806 Navitimer? I acquired it in 1955.

Interesting 806, and nice to have it's full life history. You wouldn't have movement and inside caseback photos would you? (If not ask a watchmaker to open it for you to get them - don't try it yourself).

The value on these pieces varies considerably. This looks very original which is nice, but it also looks as though it could use some care and attention - which will also affect values in not such a good way. To help with value, has the watch ever been serviced, and if so how long has it been since the last service?

Hi & thanks for your reply! My mom gave the watch to my dad in 1955 for Christmas. They were certain of the year because my sister was born that year in November. He became a cropduster after serving in the military & was also A & E certified (or A & P). I'll have to ask him if the watch was ever serviced. He didn't mention that & it has not been used for a long time.

I was afraid to try and open it, but we are planning to have it appraised, if we can find someone reputable who knows about such things.

If it's from '55 then that is a fairly early example of an 806 and definitely one of the first generations... It's a nice piece...

Like Roff said, value will vary as most likely it will need some servicing... You will see most 806s somewhere in between 3k to 10k... but 10k is a bit optimistic in my opinion...

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"I don't got the bright watch I got the right watch" -Jay Z

That is in line with what I have found on the net so far. It's probably worth having it restored to better condition then before trying to sell.Thanks for the info!

Well to be honest, I'm not sure about that. Typically a restoration will help with saleability and you will get much of the cost back. You won't get your money back on just a mechanical service.

On this piece though I wouldn't be surprised if it was 100% factory original - obviously we haven't seen the movement, but this looks like it might never have had a service. In that scenario you may be better off selling it as is, highlighting the originality and allowing the buyer determine how / who / if they want it restored.

If you still have the papers that would help tremendously, and with a watch this early a serial number will really help - bought in 1955 is one thing, but it may not be made that year, and we are in early days so the year makes a difference. I also can't tell from that photo angle whether the pushers are for a Valjoux or Venus.

I think that with good photos, including movement and serial number (any local watchmaker should be delighted to help you), a well presented auction description stressing the originality (if that is the case), and a good tail wind, this could be in the mid $4,000s on eBay.

If it's never had a service, then the condition is not too shabby... Your father must've taken care of it as good as possible short of leaving it in a vault for 60+ years...

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"I don't got the bright watch I got the right watch" -Jay Z

Unfortunately, my parents are fairly sure that the papers are long gone. I asked about that already. I was wondering if there was a way to tell whether it was Valjoux or Venus, without opening it or being an expert. Thanks so much for your time & all the great advice! This is an awesome forum!

Post a photo that is completely straight on of the dial and shows the pushers. Valjoux and Venus pushers are in different relative positions (thanks Kurt for teaching us all that).

Like this?

Not quite what I meant, but that kinda works, but it's hard to tell. Let's try this........

Is the gap between the top pusher and the crown the same as the gap between the bottom pusher and the crown, or is the gap at the top smaller?

the gaps look ever so slightly different

Can you tell on this pic?

I think that it's a Venus movement, I think that the difference in spacing would be more obvious in a Valjoux.

It's a long story, but the history of early Navitimers is very mysterious with Breitling claiming that they launched in 1952, and some experts claiming that the first were in 1954 with Valjoux movements. There are also a number of 1953 dated pieces with Venus movements that some experts believe are actually mislabelled late 50s pieces.

This definitely isn't one of those 'maybe 1953s', but I really would like to know the serial number to see whether it was manufactured in 1955 or whether it is earlier. If earlier then it could be a very important piece in discovering the history of these pieces - especially with the provenance. For now, my guess would be a 1955 piece, we know it can't be later as that was when it was bought, and earlier would be very, very rare.

You might have a Valjoux 72 in there which adds about 30 to 50% to the value. If you want to send it to me, I can give you an evaluation of its condition and the movement used. I can also do the restoration (check with the moderator as a reference). In any case, don't do anything with it until you get the back off and have some pics of the movement. Craig
http://www.chronodeco.com

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S. Craig Bergsma