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1955 AOPA Navitimer
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Author:  vintage [ Mon Mar 17, 2014 7:08 am ]
Post subject:  1955 AOPA Navitimer
I can see the index ring is a newer version but the dial also might be a factory replacement?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/251477548471?ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1426.l2649
Author:  WatchFred [ Mon Mar 17, 2014 7:22 am ]
Post subject:  Re: 1955 AOPA Navitimer
it's a Tritium dial, wrong & strange, not "crisp" enough for a factory replacement ?
hands are wrong too for a V72

a bit surprised to see a 1955 w/O ref. no, assumed these were all 54s; Kurt will see more
Author:  vintage [ Mon Mar 17, 2014 7:30 am ]
Post subject:  Re: 1955 AOPA Navitimer
WatchFred wrote:
it's a Tritium dial, wrong & strange, not "crisp" enough for a factory replacement ?
hands are wrong too for a V72


I was comparing it with Kurt's nos piece and the hour/min hands look ok but the sub register hands do look later. I don't know of anyone that can redo a dial that good except maybe those guys in Spain. I asked the seller if he had any service history but no response yet. Still a very presentable piece and we know where it's going price wise, right?

Image
Author:  Dracha [ Mon Mar 17, 2014 8:11 am ]
Post subject:  Re: 1955 AOPA Navitimer
I saw that one too , bit strange but it may all be correct ? (maybe Kurt will chime in)

Dial cannot be switched from a V178 to V72 without relocating the feet , or cutting off the feet and glueing it on the movement.

I believe the dial is not OK , the wing doesnt look good for a ref'less Navitimer but more a V178 model. Also the numbers on the dial dont look 'crisp' enough and a little fatter / sloppier than I see from other well preserved , mint and NOS pieces

it could be a late '55 with the newer type wing / dial, but then I would have expected a 806 ref number ?

serial number does not really point to a late V72 Navitimer either ?

a weird combination of components that I have not seen before but (aside from the ring) might be all correct (which I highly doubt?)

vintage wrote:
I don't know of anyone that can redo a dial that good except maybe those guys in Spain


Paul, which guys are you referring to ?
Author:  Dracha [ Mon Mar 17, 2014 8:16 am ]
Post subject:  Re: 1955 AOPA Navitimer
p.s.
needs a service as well , or at least a proper clean and maintenance
Author:  vintage [ Mon Mar 17, 2014 8:34 am ]
Post subject:  Re: 1955 AOPA Navitimer
Dracha wrote:
I saw that one too , bit strange but it may all be correct ? (maybe Kurt will chime in)

vintage wrote:
I don't know of anyone that can redo a dial that good except maybe those guys in Spain


Paul, which guys are you referring to ?


http://www.watchdialrestoration.com/index.htm
Author:  cruvon [ Tue Mar 18, 2014 2:39 am ]
Post subject:  Re: 1955 AOPA Navitimer
Could it be relumed, the lume looks a bit strange but could be the quality of the pictures.

Here's my 1955 for comparison

Image
Author:  cruvon [ Tue Mar 18, 2014 2:47 am ]
Post subject:  Re: 1955 AOPA Navitimer
WatchFred wrote:
it's a Tritium dial, wrong & strange, not "crisp" enough for a factory replacement ?
hands are wrong too for a V72

a bit surprised to see a 1955 w/O ref. no, assumed these were all 54s; Kurt will see more



Are you refering to the 806 inscription on the back Fred? Ones till the first half of 1955 didn't have the 806 inscription, mine doesn't too.

Image[/URL]
Author:  cruvon [ Tue Mar 18, 2014 3:20 am ]
Post subject:  Re: 1955 AOPA Navitimer
Dracha wrote:
I saw that one too , bit strange but it may all be correct ? (maybe Kurt will chime in)

Dial cannot be switched from a V178 to V72 without relocating the feet , or cutting off the feet and glueing it on the movement.

I believe the dial is not OK , the wing doesnt look good for a ref'less Navitimer but more a V178 model. Also the numbers on the dial dont look 'crisp' enough and a little fatter / sloppier than I see from other well preserved , mint and NOS pieces

it could be a late '55 with the newer type wing / dial, but then I would have expected a 806 ref number ?

serial number does not really point to a late V72 Navitimer either ?

a weird combination of components that I have not seen before but (aside from the ring) might be all correct (which I highly doubt?)

vintage wrote:
I don't know of anyone that can redo a dial that good except maybe those guys in Spain



Paul, which guys are you referring to ?


True Rene, it doesn't seem to have the first generation style of wing consistent with a referenceless V72 from 54-55.
Author:  cruvon [ Tue Mar 18, 2014 3:38 am ]
Post subject:  Re: 1955 AOPA Navitimer
Btw mine is high 844X, very close to the serial of the ebay one which is a little bit later at 845X. Movement matches too. So inner caseback and movement look right. The dial surely needs more investigation as also the referenceless case back timelines, could be because of the transitional period it was in that it has a newer dial style but a referenceless caseback. The slider ring is obviously wrong but that can always be fixed. Guess Kurt or someone in the know could corroborate if they have one of those combinations in their collection or have come across similar ones. Case looks polished but again, could be the quality of the pics.
Author:  vintage [ Tue Mar 18, 2014 3:53 am ]
Post subject:  Re: 1955 AOPA Navitimer
Seller doesn't have any service history as he got it from an estate sale. He was hoping for around $2k for it and then saw it take off. He has an offer of $6k on the table but won't cancel the auction because Ebay will still charge closing fee's. I don't know, what's a $250 (max) fee when you're being offered $6k and thought it was only worth $2k? :poke:
Author:  cruvon [ Tue Mar 18, 2014 4:00 am ]
Post subject:  Re: 1955 AOPA Navitimer
vintage wrote:
Seller doesn't have any service history as he got it from an estate sale. He was hoping for around $2k for it and then saw it take off. He has an offer of $6k on the table but won't cancel the auction because Ebay will still charge closing fee's. I don't know, what's a $250 (max) fee when you're being offered $6k and thought it was only worth $2k? :poke:


I must have missed something, I only see 2650 as the highest offer, Where do you see 6k?
Author:  Dracha [ Tue Mar 18, 2014 4:04 am ]
Post subject:  Re: 1955 AOPA Navitimer
cruvon wrote:
I must have missed something, I only see 2650 as the highest offer, Where do you see 6k?


you wont see it , someone sent the seller a message offering 6K (not me but: ) that is what I do if I really want something and dont want to risk being outbid in the auction
Author:  cruvon [ Tue Mar 18, 2014 4:05 am ]
Post subject:  Re: 1955 AOPA Navitimer
Dracha wrote:
cruvon wrote:
I must have missed something, I only see 2650 as the highest offer, Where do you see 6k?


you wont see it , someone sent the seller a message offering 6K (not me but: ) that is what I do if I really want something and dont want to risk being outbid in the auction



oky, got it, thanks:)
Author:  WatchFred [ Tue Mar 18, 2014 5:58 am ]
Post subject:  Re: 1955 AOPA Navitimer
there can be little (well, no?) doubt the dial isn't original; I do not think there ever was an "all black" Tritium dial for the Navitimers.
it MIGHT be a factory replacement, though even the current Heist service dials aren't marked T
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