The Breitling Watch Source Forums

I recently revisited an old watch my father had owned and had left me. I never had a chance to ask him the history of the watch, since his passing. Well, I was going through his old Pilots Log book and instruments, and decided to examine the watch more closely. Imaging to my suprise when I read, Breitling Navitimer, under the badly cracked and discolored crystal. I believe it might be a 1967 model, as I have not seen anything difinitive on the web.

The Crystal needs to be repaired, the face cleaned, it does not wind nor will it work, the case could use some refinishing (polishing) and it needs (I believe) an original leather strap.

My question to the experts out there. I'm contiplating whether or not to restore it. I would like it to be in working order and the ability to wear it.
Does anybody been in the same situation and know how much I might have to invest in it to bring it back to working order?

I'll try to upload a photo. http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm10 ... Navi_1.jpg

Sorry about your father.

Your question is very difficult to answer because there are so many unknowns - not least what's causing it to not run.

The good news is that there are a lot of mid 60s Navitimers around so parts are not so difficult to come by, the bad news is, it isn't going to be cheap.

You have to decide what kind of restoration you want - do you want the watch that you have restored, or are you prepared to accept a replacement dial, movement, etc. That's not a question that anyone else can answer for you, it comes down to whether you feel it would still be your father's watch.

I would suggest that your first stop would be a Breitling AD to see if you can at least get an estimate on repairs. Not sure where you are, but in the US there is only one Breitling authorised restorer, he has a backlog of over a year and will only provide estimates after he has examined the watch - let me know if you want his details.

Thank you for your reply. Are you referring to Breitlings vintage repair facility in Pennsylvania?

I have heard of the backlog. I know I will be satisfied after the waiting. I was cureous how many may have had similar repairs and/or restoration, and the cost incurred.

I was able to upload the photo, and as you can see the crystal needs to be replaced. I'm hope the facia can be cleaned up without replaceing and I am debating whether or not to have the case refinished.

Thank you for any and all replys.

Correct - Horological Services (Mark Heist). It's not actually a Breitling factory shop, but it is Breitling authorised.

It looks like the face can be refinished, doesn't look like any permanent damage there, and obviously a new crystal is no big deal. The kicker is going to be the movement. If it can be repaired without the need for fabrication of pieces then the costs can be kept to a managabel level, otherwise they will quickly escalate.

I am guessing (and I stress it is a guess) that you will be looking at anything from $1,500 up, and potentially quite a lot more. I don't know of anyone who has used Mark, but I'm sure that if anyone else here does they will reply. Paul (Vintage) stops by every week or so and may be able to shed more light.

I just want to thank those who run this site. Because of this site, invaluable information is passed on that instills inspiration.

I was sharing at work, with a Rolex enthusiast, about my Navi. He told me of a certified watch repair in nearby. So, without hesitation, I took my Navi to him. You know, it almost brought tears to my eyes, when he looked at it in awe, even in its current condition. He looked at me and said, do you know what you have here. I confidently said yes in a calm, but excited tone. He turned to another client in his shop and said, This here is a 60's Breitling Navitimer. The client then looked at me and said, "Cool!! Well, he asked if he could open it up. He did and it was in "Increadible condition, never been touched" he said. He then asked if he could be priviledged to bring it back to original..... Of course I said Yes.

After pictures will be posted when I bring her home.

Thanks again for all of you who are Brietling Connoisseurs !!!!!!

DDonovan,

I'm definitely looking forward to seeing the finished product.

As the pickup day approaches June 10 +/-, I am becoming increasingly excited .

I think I will look into getting an original box and owners manual.

Heist did my gold Navitimer which was in pretty good shape to begin with and it was $1100 and took 6 months. The Venus 178 movement is a quite common movement. Most watchmakers can readily service it. If you don't want to drop a pile of cash immediately (Heist) then you can always send it out to a competent watch repairman for a service and new crystal. Once you have that going for you you'll know if you want to go further. I like a little patina because the watch has it's own history. All that is pretty much lost, at least visually, once it's fulled restored.

Paul

I just picked up my watch today. Roff if you wouldnt mind, the caseback number is 990570. Any info is greatly appreciated.

Here its new look.
http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm10 ... 2_35x5.jpg

wow! HUGE difference in the 'before' and 'after'!!!

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That is truly amazing, I'm sure your going to enjoy wearing this for many years to come.

It's hard to believe it's the same watch. Great work!

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Collection: http://s540.photobucket.com/albums/gg32 ... mview=grid

I'll second that! Amazing difference. I'm not a big classic/vintage watch fan (and I'm the first to admit I know hardly anything about the older models), but that one is just beautiful.

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Driver8

Site Moderator

Well, first off - whoever did the work did a very good job. I'm guessing you didn't go with Mark Heist given the timelines, but that looks like a very good restoration.

The serial number matches to 1964, slightly earlier than you thought, and completely consistent with the watch - there were quite a few changes to Navitimers in the late 50s / early 60s after which they were 'fairly' stable in design through much of the 60s - there are some changes in dial size and the addition of red to some of the slide rule numbers, but this is perfect for 1964. It's not an exact science because Breitling tended to transition from one design to another over several years - not a simple redesign from one year to the next.

The movement inside these watches is the Venus 178 - a fairly common movement at the time, and the heart of the vast majority of Navitimers in this era.

Everything looks absolutely correct for this era - the hands are right - not always the case as they were regularly updated by Breitling and changed during servicing.

The logo is the Breitling stylized aircraft rather than the AOPA wings - both were in use at the time with the aircraft becoming a little more prevalent - the original AOPA connection was because AOPA and Breitling worked together on the design of the Navitimer (or at least it is generally accepted that they did, and they certainly advertised the fact, although not sure that there is any proof).

Of course now that you have it back you need to align the bezel - misalignment is a major crime The 100 on the bezel should align with the 10 on the inner ring that's set on the dial.

As I said when you first posted, my sympathies for the circumstances that caused you to come into possession of the piece, but you have a wonderful example of a mid 60s 806, which looks to have been very well restored and will be a fitting tribute to your father's memory.

DDonovan - that's great that you have such a precious keepsake which can be handed down again in years to come.

Can only agree with Roff - looks brilliant. I've not discovered the joy of vintage pieces yet but that classic Navi would be great for the core of any collection. Am guessing you've had a look at the Navitimer site:

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

Good job

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Aerospace Titanium & Gold - Grey Face
B-1 on Fighter/Blue Shark - Blue Face
Emergency on Pro - Yellow Face

To complete the collection:
Navi 01 46/Black leather - Black/white
Montbrillant Datora/Navi - White face


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