Now OHPF (off forum) - thanks to BS as always. I purchased this Navitimer 806 from another watch forum in Autumn last year. The Serial Number 1066601 dates it to 1966, and I believe it's a Generation 4, with the 'new' style sawtooth bezel and white subdials - it would have been one of the first to incorporate the 'Twin Jet' logo and Breitling name on the dial (taking over from the AOPA version). It uses the Venus 178 17 Jewel movement, which was gradually replaced by the Valjoux 7740 over the next few years.
To be honest, it was in quite a sad state when I got it - generally very tatty, the Chronograph wasn't running correctly, the numbers on the white Chapter ring were faded to almost nothing, the crystal needed a polish, the hands were losing what little 'fill' they had left, and the whole thing was on a cheap steel bracelet.
It's taken me over 4 months, but I have had the following work/improvements done:
Venus 178 17 Jewel Movement has been fully serviced by Steve at Ryte Time (Paperwork included);
Inner Chapter Ring professionally refurbished and replaced - it looks superb now;
The hands have been relumed (Steve again), and look terrific, without 'jumping out' violently like some relume jobs can;
The acrylic crystal has been professionally polished - under a loupe, you might see the tiniest marks, but it's basically like new, clear and crisp;
I've fitted a brand new padded BOB leather strap. It's the classic Black, with Ivory stitching, in a croco finish, with a polished steel tang buckle - as nice as a Breitling strap, but not quite the same cost!
I've also got an OEM Breitling Brown Hide strap with Tang (22-20). It's been used, and shows it - but is still perfectly wearable, so I'll add this as an option for the buyer.
The original Navitimer strap was a 22-16 (I was planning to try and find something similar, but never quite got around to it). However, I did source a NOS 16mm 'Twin Jets' tang buckle in Steel - this can be included if the buyer plans to try and find a period strap.
CONDITION REPORT: Crystal: The domed Acrylic Crystal is in excellent order, having been repolished - no visible marks, one or two very faint hairlines only visible under magnification.
Dial: Original Black Dial, with 3 Sub-Dial Registers, steel surrounds, in 'Guilloche' finish. Left register is main Seconds hand, Right register is Chrono minutes, while the lower register is the Chrono hours. Black 'spear' indicators on the registers. Applied Steel markers for numbers, with lumed tips, except Arabic Number '12', original and not restored. Internal White on Black scales in very good order. The outer White chapter ring has been refurbished, and looks excellent.
Hands: Hour and Minute hands are slim steel 'swords', with a luminous fill. Lume has been professionally redone by Steve, and now glows confidently, without being overpowering. The central Chronograph hand is steel, needle style with an arrowhead tip.
Case: The case is a classic diver-style, in a high-polish steel. I know that with vintage pieces, original condition is important, so rather than have this fully refinished, I've satisfied myself by giving it a gentle going over with a Cape Cod. There a a fair few scratches to the case sides, and the top of the lugs, though nothing hugely nasty. The underside of the lugs are quite 'rough' in places, and have nicks - nothing you wouldn't expect on a 47 year old watch, but it may be something the new owner wants to address.
Caseback: The caseback is a snapdown type. Wording is clear, both inside and out. Serial Number on caseback of 1066601 indiactes the year of manufacture as 1966. There are minor scratches, nothing nasty. Some slightly rough areas to the backcase cover edges. Overall is good - see photos.
Bezel: The bidirectional steel bezel, with a sawtooth-edge, rotates smoothly with a soft resistance, and turns the white chapter ring as it should. Very good condition.
Crown/Pushers: All original Push-Down ridged-edge steel crown, clear 'B' signed. Two steel pushers. Very good to excellent, all work perfectly.
Movement/Running: Steve at RyteTime has fully serviced the lovely Venus 178 movement (17 Jewels unadjusted, fully signed). He's done a smashing job - I had this timed at 5 seconds per day, though for the purposes of the sale please consider it running within 15 seconds per day. It's in excellent order, and running well, with a strong reserve. Chrono functions perfectly, with a crisp flyback to zero on all registers. It has 'WOG' engraved on the balance cock, which is the Wakmann import mark. The Breitling and Venus markings are clear (see the photos - lovely!).
Strap: This was on a basic generic steel bracelet strap when I got it (included), so I've fitted a new high-quality 22mm BOB padded Leather strap. It's Black, with Ivory stitching, in a croco finish, very much in the Breitling style, with a polished steel Tang buckle.
I've also got an OEM Breitling Brown Hide strap with Tang (22-20). It's been used, and shows it - but is still perfectly wearable, so I'll add this as an option for the buyer.
Also, I have a NOS Steel 'Twin Jet' Tang buckle in 16mm - (the Navitimer straps used to be 22-16) - this is also offered as an option to the buyer.
Measurements: Width (without Crown): 40.5mm. Thickness: 12mm. Lug-to-lug: 48mm. Lug Width 22mm. Weight (on BOB strap): 76 grams
Other: It's nicely sized at 40.5mm (i.e. about the same size as a full size Bond Seamaster), and wears on the large side, as pushers add width, and the domed crystal and caseback means it wears quite high. The new BOB Black/Ivory strap with the Steel tang are a lovely match to the steel/black/silver head. I don't have an original Box or Papers for this, but I will supply the watch in a Breitling Service/Travel Case - either the old style rectangular type, or the newer box style - buyer's choice. Paperwork for Steve's recent service will be included.
A good 806 is a prudent investment as well as a lovely watch, and they seem to command absolutely stupid money on the 'bay. Mine is in superb mechanical condition (and not too bad cosmetically either!). Even so, I'm going put this up at an extremely reasonable
£1899 - that's a bit of a steal, especially when you consider the full service, relumed hands and refurbished Chapter Ring cost me @£400 by themselves! That gets you the full monty - the watch, a Breitling Travel Case, the BOB strap, the generic steel bracelet, the used OEM Leather strap, and the NOS 16mm TwinJet Buckle. I appreciate that some buyers may wish to use their own accessories, so if you don't want the OEM strap,
reduce the price by £50. If you don't want the Twin Jet buckle,
knock off another £30.
The prices quoted include Next Day RMSD for UK buyers. Overseas will need to contact me for exact Shipping costs based on destination, but I'll use a courier (Fed-Ex/UPS) for safer Tracked Shipping - I imagine it will £15-20 maximum.
I've loads of Feedback on here, I'm a 'Top Rated' e-bay seller (2300+ deals, 100%, username 'goonermike'), and I've got plenty of Feedback on TZ-UK (username 'BigBird'), so there are no worries there.
I'd prefer BT. PayPal if absolutely necessary, or for overseas, but I cannot accept PayPal Gifts (my account just won't accept them, and I get charged even on gifts). So if you want to use PayPal, it'll be via the 'official' route, and you'll need to add 3.4% to cover Fees.
If I've missed anything, you'd like more info or pics, please feel free to PM me.
Cheers!
Mike
Pictures - loads, sorry!
Head Shots
Caseback Inner and Outer:
Case Sides/Crown/Pushers
Venus 178 Serviced by Steve
Relumed Hands
New Bob Strap (and generic steel bracelet)
Options - Used Breitling 22mm Leather/Tang, and NOS 16mm Twin-Jet SS Buckle
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