The Breitling Watch Source Forums

Many thanks for the info.

Certainly something to think about.

I'll pass this info on to the owner and see what she wants to do.

Based on what I am hearing, I think the relume and slide rule replacement are already things we do not want done.

OK, so I talked with the owner.

She and I both agree that it is not always about the money, sometimes it is about the car, or in this case the watch.

Her husband loved this watch, and she MAY decide to keep it once it is restored, but that will be her call.

The plan, at this point, is to do the full mechanical restoration and cleaning, but not to disturb any of the patina. So no relume, no replace the slide rule, etc. Just fix it mechanically and clean it. The stem is broke, the hour hammer is stuck in and possibly bent, etc.

Having said that, the only real issue may be the slide rule. The slide rule is green and corroded. If it does not clean up properly, would anyone recommend replacing it with a correct for the watch NOS or nice used factory part or leave it as is (cleaned as best as possible).

Thoughts?

Many thanks, I am learning a lot about a whole new world.

as far as we know - this might have changed recently - Brwitling only have an incorrect replacement sliderule with "red accents", I'll post some pics of an unrestored correct piece and a Heist restoration a bit later that should make this visible.

here's a Heist-restored piece, replacement sliderule, relumed dial, replaced hands (chronoseconds incorrect).



and an untouched dial 806 with the correct sliderule and hands, similar period to your 806:

and an example of how an untouched Navitimer can look if you're very lucky

Awesome info, thank you so much.

I will make sure that the dial does not get relumed, and the slide rule does not get replaced unless we have no alternative.

Now, should I be looking for a period correct slide rule for this watch? I have seen both NOS and used slide rules on Ebay, but I am not sure what I will need to do.

Thoughts?

no OEM generation one on ebay, all you see are BAD after market refinish (dialfactory and Bill Shaine), avoid !!!!!

good original used generation one might come up once every three years and sell at indecent prices.

some "red accent" you see on ebay are original, sell at around $200 now.

much better to stay with the current one.

As already said, I would definitively keep the watch as it is. It is part of its history and for such a long time passed in a car, it could be much much worst than that!
The case seems in nice condition, assuming that it has probably never been polished.

Great watch, congrats. As everyone has mentioned, keep it all original. About the sliderule, you could source a new one with some difficulty but best keep it original. Even if you find another sliderule, keep the original one too.
Here's another example of one I have with everything kept original. I have a spare original NOS sliderule but decided that the original patinated sliderule matches the character of the watch much better.

OK, new plan.

After all of the info that I have received, and discussing this with the owner, we have decided to just sell the watch as is. It just makes sense to let the new owner make the decision on how best to proceed with this watch.

I will get the watch sent back to me, and then post detailed pictures in the for sale section. I figure that after all of the great info I got from you all, I should give the community first opportunity at the watch.

Asking price, etc. has not yet been determined, but I will figure that out in the days to come.

Many thanks to everyone that commented; this really is a whole new world for me.

OK, so I think I know the answer to this, but let me ask anyway.

How do I open the 1959 Breitling Navtimer 806 so I can photograph the inside when it comes time to put it up for sale?

snap back cases are quite easy to open, but you need a decent case knife and a bit of experience helps ....
you knew the answer - have (any) watchmaker pop open the caseback for you

On a navitimer a rigid razor blade in the little slot works well, pry up very carefully..... But please don't practice on an AOPA! A watch with no movement pics is worth more than one with a bent/scratched case. the first time I opened a watch.. the back came off, but the case tool smacked into the movement and may have "adjusted" it slightly...


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

OK, so I think the best plan is to not mess with it. I have the serial number and a description of what the watch needs from the Breitling certified watchmaker that evaluated the watch.

I'll take detailed pictures of it as is, and post them along with the description of what the watch needs, serial number, etc. in the for sale forum once the watch gets back to me.

Many thanks to everyone that helped to educate me on the Breitling collector arena.

By the way, and FYI, I have been informed that Horological Services can supply the correct all black slide rule when a restoration is done. This has apparently been available for about 5 years or so.