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First post, Vintage Navitimer 809
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Author:  mt_hangglider [ Mon Apr 14, 2014 8:59 am ]
Post subject:  First post, Vintage Navitimer 809
Hi guys,

I've been a long time member of TZ, WUS, TRF and other watch forums but up until recently, I'd never owned a Breitling. That changed several months ago when I bought a mid-late 2000's Chronomat and just last week had the good fortune of coming across a vintage 809 Navitimer for sale. I'll give you a little back story copied and pasted from my post on TZ last week:

"I live in a very rural area in the western US. There is only one jewelry store in the town where I work and they carry lower end quartz Citizens as their only watch line. Very occasionally, they have customers bring in something interesting either looking to get rid of it, have it serviced, or something else. Anyway, it just so happens the owner called me yesterday and said he had a customer wanting to see if he could get $500 in store credit for an old Breitling he had. The owner didn't want it but wondered if I might. I went on down and lo and behold what do I see but an early 1960's Breitling Navitimer 809 Cosmonaute with a Venus 178 24hr. movement! Needless to say, I gave him his asking price on the spot..."

... so there you have it, what a score! Anyway, I was just curious if we had any Vintage Navitimer experts here that could date the watch for me based on the dial, case, bezel, serial, etc. and provide any additional info. I'm getting ready to ship it off today to a respected watchmaker with experience servicing vintage Breitlings to give it a movement overhaul and a little TLC (although not too much TLC as we all know the value in a vintage piece lies in its originality). Anyway, I'm pleased to be a part of the Breitling Source Forums and thanks in advance for any info you provide! -Chad

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Author:  superavenger13 [ Mon Apr 14, 2014 9:38 am ]
Post subject:  Re: First post, Vintage Navitimer 809
Very Nice.

Members WatchFred and Dracha are two of the go tos for Vintage pieces. I am sure I forgot to mention a few other members who are very well versed in Vintage as well but those two individuals are a very good start.

And Vintage was a member I forgot to mention.
Author:  vintage [ Mon Apr 14, 2014 10:03 am ]
Post subject:  Re: First post, Vintage Navitimer 809
Looks like the dial might have been relumed at some point. Serial number dates to 1967. Everything else looks pretty good. From the pics it looks like some of the lugs might be bent but it might be just the angle they were taken at. Usually you can sit the watch flat, without strap, and look from the sides to see if they're bent or not. Nice catch!
Author:  Supermoto [ Mon Apr 14, 2014 10:10 am ]
Post subject:  Re: First post, Vintage Navitimer 809
Congrats what a great find, could you pick Saturdays UK lottery numbers for me please
Author:  Dracha [ Tue Apr 15, 2014 12:20 am ]
Post subject:  Re: First post, Vintage Navitimer 809
great find and exceptionally good price

I am not sure the dial has been relumed ? , looks original to me and I have seen this weird colour green'ish before
Author:  Kurt B [ Tue Apr 15, 2014 6:04 am ]
Post subject:  Re: First post, Vintage Navitimer 809
mt_hangglider wrote:
Hi guys,

I've been a long time member of TZ, WUS, TRF and other watch forums but up until recently, I'd never owned a Breitling. That changed several months ago when I bought a mid-late 2000's Chronomat and just last week had the good fortune of coming across a vintage 809 Navitimer for sale. I'll give you a little back story copied and pasted from my post on TZ last week:

"I live in a very rural area in the western US. There is only one jewelry store in the town where I work and they carry lower end quartz Citizens as their only watch line. Very occasionally, they have customers bring in something interesting either looking to get rid of it, have it serviced, or something else. Anyway, it just so happens the owner called me yesterday and said he had a customer wanting to see if he could get $500 in store credit for an old Breitling he had. The owner didn't want it but wondered if I might. I went on down and lo and behold what do I see but an early 1960's Breitling Navitimer 809 Cosmonaute with a Venus 178 24hr. movement! Needless to say, I gave him his asking price on the spot..."

... so there you have it, what a score! Anyway, I was just curious if we had any Vintage Navitimer experts here that could date the watch for me based on the dial, case, bezel, serial, etc. and provide any additional info. I'm getting ready to ship it off today to a respected watchmaker with experience servicing vintage Breitlings to give it a movement overhaul and a little TLC (although not too much TLC as we all know the value in a vintage piece lies in its originality). Anyway, I'm pleased to be a part of the Breitling Source Forums and thanks in advance for any info you provide! -Chad


The lume (tritium) on the dial is original, and I don't see any bent lugs.

Kurt B http://www.kurt-b.com
Author:  mt_hangglider [ Tue Apr 15, 2014 6:07 am ]
Post subject:  Thanks guys!
I appreciate the feedback! I'll be sure to post some "after" shots when it comes back from service. :D
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