The Breitling Watch Source Forums

Folks,

I purchased this around 1998 as I just loved the ancient 806's. I went for the pricey AOPA (at the time) as the pilot connection was something that I really wanted. I had some work done on it in 2005 (new crystal, replacement slide rule ring and full conscientious case and movement overhaul). I have not really used it at all since the overhaul and I think the time has come to part.

http://s1220.photobucket.com/user/dlicheri/media/Watch%20Collection/Breitling/806%20AOPA%20Navitimer/IMG_0279_zpsf94db2d0.jpg.html?sort=3&o=0

I am looking for honest views on what it is likely to achieve and honest opinions on desirability.

d

I'm going to say it would not go for a lot - guess would be <$1200 to 1500

- subdials are badly discoloured
- slide rule colour very different white to subdial colour
- sliderule does not match the dial (red markings, none on dial)
- dial is re-lumed
- not sure on the white AOPA logo - normally gold I think - seen white on toptimes, but not Navis - others more knowledgeable can comment

If a collector bought it, it would be done for parts - case, movement, hands.

It appears complete, with a replaced slide rule as you mentioned... But the thing that has the greatest negative impact on the desirability is the relume of the dial. Most vintage collectors wouldn't touch it ... Now that's not to say you couldn't sell it ... AOPA Navitimers are becoming increasingly rare... But it will be at a discount of what original pieces are selling for, and you might want to market to a different crowd.

Do you still have the old slide rule? It may match the patinated subdials better than the fresh white one. Unless it's trashed of course.


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in my opinion the valuation

"it will be at a discount of what original pieces are selling for..."

is correct

and

"guess would be <$1200 to 1500"

is wrong, because it should be more (regarding to the point that the AOPA logo
not must be gold - picture is to bad to have a real possibility to check the dial)


regards

Stephan

Hi, liking the 1806? on the left hand side, do you got any pics of that one? Cheers

The other you see is indeed a 1806 (saddam hussein's air force logo on back), have a peek at pics on photobucket.

The dial is original and that was confirmed by Breitling at overhaul. Contrary to comments, there also seem to be plenty of occurrences of white AOPA logo on 806's

So ebay for $1500 BIN ONO it is ... or I may break (shame though)


thanks for the fish.
d

Yes, that's true having spent a bit of time online looking.

I think you could get more than $1500 for it in parts. Not sure what others would think but my thoughts
1 complete case - $500-700
If correct, serviced Venus movement - $ 400-600 ( more?)
Set of hands $500+ ( I recently saw the fat subdial hand go for $300 - impossible to find)
sliderule $80
Dial - ??? $100- $200 - AOPA desired, could do a better relume

Half the part would go in a moment on this forum I suspect.

That watch will sell in the $1800-$2000 range as is. There are plenty of people around with the necessary parts to correct the issues. A working, correctly marked, Breitling Venus 178 will sell by itself in the $700-$900 range.

Well, that figure is more like it.

From the more informative and balanced comments and as i see it, the original slide rule chapter and a re-lume put's it back on the wanted list.

Personally, I think the dial looks great. There is some discoloration but presume in the cockpit of a jet liner back in the 60's smoking was acceptable so a bit of a smoky look is not something I would be too concerned of. I have the old chapter (slide rule) ring but it is a mess with painted numbers fading and flaking off.

Serial number places it around 1966-67, what would be the correct slide rule ring for this particular year. Any idea who I could go to for a slide (all in black with no red accents i presume)?

Would it be wise to go for a top quality relume? who is the man for that ?

d

Take the above info with a grain of salt, as the members here are typically more "picky" than the general public when it comes to these particular watches. I definitely don't think you'll be selling this watch for parts! It's complete and I like the patina of the subdials. Someone will buy it. You'd want to make sure the dial hasn't been touched up at all, as that would impact the value quite a bit more... particularly the AOPA logo, see how much whiter it is than the rest of the dial? But, it's probably OK

Slide rule, correct... You need one with no accents. Post a WTB ad here and somewhere else and see what comes up. Be very careful of the ones on eBay as 99.9% are reprints. Some members here have one (or ten) but may not want to part with it , myself included.

For relume .... If you're going to sell, it's really not worth it. But, if you're going to keep it, Kent Parks is an absolute artist and he could do a "vintage relume" that mimics tritium perfectly on the dial and hands. That plus a new sliderule and you would have a beautiful watch.

The challenge with putting in all this work... The costs begin to mount and you usually don't get back what you put in!


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White AOPA is correct for a late sixty 806. There is also silver one in the 1806 series. The subdials have turned brownish, maybe due heavy smoking as we've seen this effect sometimes [WINKING FACE]

so to understand, you say that dial is original and not relumed.



do you have an explanation why that smoke in the cockpit of the jetliner massively discolored the subdials - and maybe made the lume fall off the hands - but in no way discolored the dial lume ?

jetliner magic ?

Everyone is in agreement it's relumed, Fred


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It may be the only thing that we can get the forum to agree on, don't ruin it !! ;-p


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I own the watch and agree, considering all the comments and observations, it is likely to be a relume ...

But what 's the big deal about reluming ? Does that make it undesirable ? It has never put me off buying a vintage. Actually, I prefer something that has been well looked after and carefully restored than something that looks old, worn and battered. Surely that's what it is all about, bringing back life to something that has lived ...

I can honestly say that my 806 looks a million dollars on the wrist (but i never wear it). What I will do is find a slide rule for it and replace it but that is as far as I will go and there is no rush and as far as lumeing goes, In thirty years time, the lume will have darkened and it will be indistinguishable from the original lume.

On the lume note, lumeing is practiced quite a bit on most vintages (heuers, rolex, and yes even Breitlings). People make a living doing it. It is like changing tyres on a porsche. At some point or other, you either live with the bald patches or do something about it ! Did a quick search and walla, here is one ...

http://heuertime.com/index.php?lang=eng ... r%20traded

If done conscientiously, IMHO there is nothing wrong with a relume. A re-printed dial is a billion times worse ... Thanks for all the good advice and i will consider the critics as bad advice is sometimes useful too.

and to finish off.... i think i will keep it