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Good Buy?
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Author:  Henry [ Fri Sep 05, 2008 8:44 am ]
Post subject:  Good Buy?
Hi Experts,

Someone is trying to sell me this, but the crystal is cracked on the side. He claimed it's a 1st generation AOPA watch.

Image

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What do you think the price should be? And, how much would it cost me to overhaul it?

Thanks a million!!! :)
Author:  Roffensian [ Fri Sep 05, 2008 9:04 am ]
Post subject: 
Oh good another 806 - too many odd ones this week, this is a little safer :wink:

Well, it dates to 1961, so we are at the tail end of the black on black rice bezel Navis, but definitely could be consistent. It's a Venus 178 with the WOG typical of early Navitimers, although there are couple of anomalies - the plate under the engraved bridge is slightly atypical. Hands are consistent with a very early Navitimer - the 6 o'clock subdial may ver slightly to thick, though that may be the photo - it's very close (it was thicker than the other two, but not that much thicker).

I would want to see the outside of the caseback to make sure that it has the 806 stamped on it, and I'd also want a better picture of the crown and pushers. Crown looks slightly wrong, but it might just be wear, difficult to tell from side on, and in the first photo the top pusher looks like it may be a replacement. I would also like to know what it says on the caseback below the serial - I can't read that.

In terms of cost for work, replacement crystal, service and thorough clean of the dial - $800 - $1,000.

Value, well that's tough. If it is absolutley correct (which I'm not sure of yet) then it's a $3,000+ watch in this condition, potentially nearer $3,500. If the seller is South American I'd offer $5 for it.
Author:  vintage [ Fri Sep 05, 2008 2:16 pm ]
Post subject: 
You can watch this one to get an example of value.

http://cgi.ebay.com/BREITLING-AOPA-NAVITIMER-CHRONOGRAPH-PAPERS-1ST-SERIES_W0QQitemZ230286292174QQihZ013QQcategoryZ31387QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
Author:  Henry [ Fri Sep 05, 2008 6:46 pm ]
Post subject: 
Great feedback!

The seller is quoting about US$4,500. I was a bit hesitant because I have limited funds and it looks as though I will need to clean the watch and change the crystal.

Another 2 sellers quoted me today, what I considered as very high prices, at around US$7,800 and US$8,500 for the steel versions. :?

I really love the beaded bezel and AOPA versions, and with limited funds, I thought of going for that and treasure it in my lifetime instead of buying the later 1960s models.

Not sure if I should wait further for the right one to come along, or plunge in now and incur some debts. Decisions, decisions. Any kind advice?

Almost forgot. The seller is from Germany. Some more pictures:


1) Outside of the caseback
Image

2) Another angle of the Navitimer
Image

3) Picture with glimpse of the crown and pushers:
Image

btw, is there a website which I could check the serial number myself? I would like to learn to be more knowledgeable on the Navitimers over time. :)
Author:  vintage [ Sat Sep 06, 2008 3:59 am ]
Post subject: 
Henry wrote:
Great feedback!

The seller is quoting about US$4,500. I was a bit hesitant because I have limited funds and it looks as though I will need to clean the watch and change the crystal.

Another 2 sellers quoted me today, what I considered as very high prices, at around US$7,800 and US$8,500 for the steel versions. :?

I really love the beaded bezel and AOPA versions, and with limited funds, I thought of going for that and treasure it in my lifetime instead of buying the later 1960s models.

Not sure if I should wait further for the right one to come along, or plunge in now and incur some debts. Decisions, decisions. Any kind advice?

Almost forgot. The seller is from Germany.

btw, is there a website which I could check the serial number myself? I would like to learn to be more knowledgeable on the Navitimers over time. :)


It appears to be a very nice example. I wouldn't put a premium on it because of the service needed and crystal. My watch maker would service this watch and replace the crystal for around $225. You can find watchmakers that treat Breitling's and Rolex's like any other watch but you'll pay a premium for a specialist. The work required is still the same. The vintage parts are still hard to find if needed. Might as well go with a lower quote for the work.

I like this watch better than the one currently on ebay because the ebay seller specializes in selling Breitling Navitimers and Chronomatics and will sell the presentation more than the actual watch. Get past the fluff of new straps, pamphlets, and boxes and stay primarily with looking at the watch intself. I feel if the watch you're looking at were on ebay it would sell in the $3000-$4000 range. They have been going for more than they're worth (imho) lately but that's all about supply and demand.

Here's the best Navtimer information source. Just scroll down to the s/n section:

http://www.lesmala.net/jean-michel/navitimer/

Paul
Author:  DDonovan [ Mon Sep 08, 2008 6:54 pm ]
Post subject: 
As Vintage points out, the crystal will run you approx. 200 +/-. I just recieved my 1964 Navitimer back. See "Question on restoring a 1697 Navitimer". found out through Roffs handy work that is actually a 1964 (even cooler :P ). I lucked out and found a local watchmaker (California)that had knowledge of and knew where to get the parts.
Author:  chronodeco [ Fri Sep 12, 2008 9:41 am ]
Post subject:  Overhaul and crystal
Service for 3 register vintage chrono of $225 is about right but ONLY with a watchmaker who really knows Venus movements. That is what I charge and that includes a new mainspring which should alway be done while the movement is apart. I have a lot of parts for these too.
The last plastic crystal I bought for one of these was around $40 for NOS.
I don't know what Frei would charge but probably not over $60 - $200 is way too much. Craig
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