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Opinions on this Navitimer AOPA 806 1964-65
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Author:  pc109 [ Thu Apr 09, 2015 7:45 am ]
Post subject:  Opinions on this Navitimer AOPA 806 1964-65
Hi,

First post here…long time listener…

I have been mainly a vintage Rolex collector, but I first got into vintage timepieces after reading about the 806. For several years, I have been casually waiting (and missing out) on a nice 806 to add to my collection. Of course, my dream had always been for an AOPA 806. I finally found one and pulled the trigger, and likely paid a premium for it, but I have 3 days inspection from a reputable dealer…
To me, it looked like a clean, honest example…when I get it and have it professionally opened, I will confirm movement and serial.

What are the experts' opinions on this example which the dealer states is a 1964. He didn't open the back, but his watchmaker did, but didn't take pics.

Thank you in advance…and if I am out of place asking these questions here, please let me know and I will retract and edit this post.

Cheers,
PC

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Author:  Waynepjr1 [ Thu Apr 09, 2015 7:47 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Opinions on this Navitimer AOPA 806 1964-65
Looks good!! Be happy!!!

Wayne
Author:  pc109 [ Thu Apr 09, 2015 7:53 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Opinions on this Navitimer AOPA 806 1964-65
Wow…you are fast. I guess I'm still old school for forums…

The first vintage I ever fell in love with was the all black dial 806 with beaded bezel, but it seems very difficult these days to find one in decent shape…and I never see one up for sale, so when this one came up, I just pounced.

Thanks!
PC
Author:  WatchFred [ Thu Apr 09, 2015 8:18 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Opinions on this Navitimer AOPA 806 1964-65
beautiful piece, saw the listing too.
BUT: to be on the safe side, you should request a movement pic & a pic of the inside caseback to assure all is correct.
Author:  pc109 [ Thu Apr 09, 2015 9:37 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Opinions on this Navitimer AOPA 806 1964-65
I had the same concern, so he is shipping me the watch and I have 3 days to inspect. I will have the case back opened and report back here.

Do the case, bezel and hands match? I will hope the serisl nimber and movement corroborate. Thanks.
Author:  Eric_navi [ Thu Apr 09, 2015 9:39 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Opinions on this Navitimer AOPA 806 1964-65
Case has been polished enough to blur the original line on top of the lugs. Otherwise it would have been on its way to me days ago. But overall a really nice piece
Author:  pc109 [ Thu Apr 09, 2015 1:06 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Opinions on this Navitimer AOPA 806 1964-65
I see what you mean about the lugs...I'm sort of longshot hoping that the pics are just out of focus...

but it's funny...I am planning to wear this watch and if the lugs were pristine, I may not wear it and keep it in my case. I should have the watch tomorrow, so I will take some closer pics that you guys can critique...

Thanks again for the advice. What a nice community here...

Cheers,
PC
Author:  WatchFred [ Thu Apr 09, 2015 1:31 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Opinions on this Navitimer AOPA 806 1964-65
as Eric says, lugs are not razor sharp, but on the other hand the dial and lume are in exceptionally nice condition, I'd be surprised if the serial number would not be in the expected range or the movement incorrect, but better to check now than be disappointed later.

miniscule issue, the crystal does not seem to sit perfectly on the bezel, seems a little bit too big or ut may even be an incorrect type - easily corrected during service, as correct crystals are still available at negligable cost.
Author:  pc109 [ Thu Apr 09, 2015 1:43 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Opinions on this Navitimer AOPA 806 1964-65
Wow, you guys see everything. Do you think the crystal just needs to be pressed down further?

Also, the lines of writing on the case back are not parallel...is that normal?
Author:  Eric_navi [ Thu Apr 09, 2015 5:16 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Opinions on this Navitimer AOPA 806 1964-65
pc109 wrote:
I see what you mean about the lugs...I'm sort of longshot hoping that the pics are just out of focus...

but it's funny...I am planning to wear this watch and if the lugs were pristine, I may not wear it and keep it in my case. I should have the watch tomorrow, so I will take some closer pics that you guys can critique...

Thanks again for the advice. What a nice community here...

Cheers,
PC


The seller, a nice guy by the way, sent me additional photos of the lugs on tuesday, as i was concerned about how polished the case was for the price he wanted. Definitely not the camera focus. The trick is... If the line on top of the lugs leaves ANY doubt whatsoever... Its been polished or refinished. It should be razor-laser sharp. I (try to) learn from my (many) mistakes.

However, it could be much much worse!
To find a nice AOPA these days, beggars cant be choosers as they say.
you may find a perfect unpolished example eventually, but how long will you wait? And how many of the snipers on this forum will you have to outbid?

Since the rest is great, wear it in health, and welcome to the AOPA club.




Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Author:  pc109 [ Mon Apr 13, 2015 3:10 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Opinions on this Navitimer AOPA 806 1964-65
Hi All,

Want to thank everyone on this forum for giving me peace of mind about my purchase. I received the watch and I am going to enjoy wearing it. Based on the charts, the serial matches to 1964. I believe (or my wife believes) that my chronograph collection is complete.

The lugs do seem a little polished, but for a 50 yo watch, I'm ok with it since I do want to wear it. I find that when I have pristine watches, they tend to sit in the watch box more than on my wrist.
I'm more glad that the dial is in good shape, as I have seen some in vintage shops with the bezel numbers flaking off.

One question for you guys. I didn't realize that the crystal is attached to the bezel and actually rotates with the bezel. This is interesting since it is not secured to the midcase. When I tap on the crystal, it sounds more "plasticky" than my other vintage watches. I assume this is normal because of the way the crystal is secured to the bezel rather than the case itself. Am I right to assume this?

Also, is this the bezel that Kurt refers to as the special "milled" one from 1964? I couldn't find any close ups of the bezel of the correct 1964.

Cheers,
PC

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Author:  WatchFred [ Mon Apr 13, 2015 3:36 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Opinions on this Navitimer AOPA 806 1964-65
perfectly correct & a very, very nice piece !
congratulations and wear it in health !
Author:  Dracha [ Mon Apr 13, 2015 3:56 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Opinions on this Navitimer AOPA 806 1964-65
thats a weird bezel, never seen one before
the only 'milled' bezel I know from 1964 looks like this

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pc109
what is the full serial number please ? , just want to look something up
Author:  WatchFred [ Mon Apr 13, 2015 4:04 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Opinions on this Navitimer AOPA 806 1964-65
transitional bezel, see http://kurt-b.com/ "The 4 different bezel designs"
Author:  Dracha [ Mon Apr 13, 2015 4:14 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Opinions on this Navitimer AOPA 806 1964-65
must be ok then, and rare as I dont recall ever seen one bfore
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