The Breitling Watch Source Forums

OK, this will be a bit long...so be patient

I usually play with old cars, I am not into watches. I wear a vintage Casio ($29.95).

I am helping the widow of an old friend get rid of a collection of junk cars. 80 plus cars, most of them were rust buckets 20 years ago.

A couple of weekend ago I was cleaning out the junk that was stored inside a 1954 Chevy Bel Air. Hubcaps, office supplies, old magazines, wire, old newspapers...you get the idea.

This car has sat pretty much undisturbed for the last 30 years or so.

I came across a pile of pens and pencils, rulers, and a couple of watches laying on the floor. One of the watches was a Timex, the other I didn't recognize. I pulled a Cross pen and the Timex out of the pile, and I pitched the rest of the pens and pencils into the junk pile. I picked up the bigger watch to throw it into the junk pile when I took a closer look at it.

All black face, multiple dials, multiple buttons. I turned it over and saw "Breitling" and "806" (along with Stainless Steel) on the back of the case. I looked closer at the front, and could make out the word "Navtimer". I also saw the AOPA emblem on the face.

I don't know much about watches, but even I know that Breitling is something special.

I showed it to the widow and she said that she remembered her late husband having this watch, but she did not know what had happened to it. She didn't know much about the watch itself. How it ended up on the floorboard of a 1954 Bel Air will remain a mystery.

But was it real? Could it be repaired? What would it cost to repair it? No clue.

I checked online, and realized that I could send it to Breitling USA (I am in Alabama, USA) for an estimate on repair. I shipped it off to Breitling USA, and I got a call a week later.

Breitling USA doesn't do restorations on their vintage watches. They have a factory certified watchmaker that they use for vintage repairs / restorations. They asked me for permission to ship it to him. I said yes.

I got the paperwork back from the watchmaker a couple of days ago.

What we apparently have is a 1959 vintage (based on the serial number) Breitling Navtimer 806 AOPA watch. It has a worn black leather strap that has the Breitling name on it.

It is in pretty rough shape, having been exposed to moisture and not climate controlled for 30 plus years. The winding stem is broken, the buttons stick, etc. I knew not to mess with it.

The owner has decide to have it restored. I am also liquidating a bunch of old car parts for her, so the funds to restore the watch are in place. I am not sure what she is going to do with it afterwards, but I suspect that she will put it up for sale.

In any event, it will be 7-8 months before it comes back to us.

It is a whole new world for me.

Looks in remarkable condition considering where found. I'm in Alabama too and haven't had such luck. Doesn't appear to be an AOPA version. I'd be careful about having Horological Services restore the watch as they might use replacement parts for the dial and index ring. I think I'd more likely have them do a mechanical restoration and maybe a cleaning will take care of appearances. Pretty cool find. Any interesting rare cars?

congratulations; great find, great story !
I second what Paul says; I'd suggest NOT to "restore" this watch, but only have it decently serviced. Replacing the sliderule against the incorrect OEM part the Heists have will reduce the vale, even more so if they change or relume the dial.

look for a decent watch maker w/ Venus 178 experience,

Please don't "restore", relume, or replace any parts of that beautiful watch unless they are mechanical!!


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He collected mainly 50s and 60s Chevrolet cars. Some were pretty rare, not Ferrari rare, but still pretty rare. A complete, never disassembled 57 Nomad was one of the better cars.

So you guys have given me some things to think about. Here is the list of recommended services:

Complete disassembly, clean, oil & adjust movement
Refurbish movement as needed for rust, damage, wear
Replace Mainspring
Surface treatment of movement
Repair hour hammer
All Chronograph adjustments
Replace Crown (missing)
Replace Stem (broken)
Replace 2 pushbuttons
Replace Crystal
Replace luminous only on dial
Replace Slide-rule
Case work: spring bars

I think what I hear you all saying is that we should not replace the luminous on the dial or replace the slide-rule, is that correct?

How big of an issue is that with regard to value?

I see no indication the pushers need replacement - and clearly no replacement & relume of any dial parts !
and you might want to get a second quote from our resident and very trusted master watchmaker, Craig - member chronodeco.

This is certainly a challenge for me, as the owner wants the factory authorized repair center to do the work.

Let's try it this way...

The owner is probably going to sell the watch. What maximizes the value? Sell it as is? Mechanical restoration? Full restoration?

I'm confused....

Good input, thanks. What determines an AOPA version? I assumed that the AOPA symbol on the face (is that the right word?) indicated that.

I'm learning....

"true" AOPA, i.e those distributed through AOPA. have the letters inside the wing shield and no "Breitling" on the dial, watches that were sold through regular dealer channels carry the Breitling logo, but no letters inside the shield.

Dad had a Pontiac Safari which was the Pontiac version of the Chevy Nomad. We traveled in that from Kansas to Alaska when he was reassigned to Anchorage. Always loved the 2dr wagons. I still drive a wagon but a highly modified BMW with an M engine.



I see you're trying to get the owner of the watch the best price for the Breitling but it really depends on the buyer. A pretty, not 100% correct, watch appeals to certain people while the collectors prefer all original. IMHO the watch will sell for a decent price either way but I always prefer them original. You might even consider selling as is because when you take into account the repair cost the end dollar amount when sold might still be the same and you have a lot less hassle and not such a long wait.

it will be impossible to recoup the investment in a horologicalservices restoration, not even close.
assume the quote will be 1.5k at least, probably quite a bit more ?

from a commercial point of view it might be best to sell it as is.

The struggle continues....

What do you think the watch is worth (ball park) as is?

Based on what I can find, this watch with a full mechanical restoration and cleaning changes hands in the $4K range. Is that accurate?

Good info, thank you.

it is a relatively late piece, you'll reach 3-3.5 I'd say in this condition, maybe 3.5-4 if it has been WELL restored, i.e. no relume.
if you relume you loose the collector's interest and will not reach higher prices, but shell out close to 2k

good pics (including movement) & put it up for auction.