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Watch journalist Jorg Weppelink introduced the choices as the five references Fratello considered the best, while also presenting the list as a starting point for discussion rather than an exhaustive verdict. The distinctions below follow that framing. Historical prices are Fratello’s estimates from June 2023, not current market quotes.
How to read Fratello’s five picks
The selections are easiest to compare by what each contributed to the Navitimer story: the original cockpit-oriented design, a distinctive later dial, a date complication, a revival after a pause, and a faithful limited-edition return. Case dimensions below apply only to the examples or variants Fratello discusses; they should not be assumed to describe every watch carrying a reference.
1. Navitimer 806: the early classic
Breitling introduced the Navitimer in 1954 for the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA), then officially assigned the reference 806 the following year. Its defining combination was a three-register chronograph and a circular slide rule intended for cockpit calculations. The slide rule followed the earlier Chronomat concept and offered functionality comparable to an E6B flight computer. Early examples had all-black dials and beaded bezels.
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- Swiss Made. Blue Dial with Black Sub-Dials, Date Feature and Slide Rule Feature
- Chronograph Feature: Large Central Chronograph Seconds Hand, 30 Minute Counter Sub-Dial at 3 O'Clock, 12 Hour Counter Sub-Dial at 6 O'Clock and Small Seconds Sub-Dial at 9 O'Clock
- Breitling Caliber 01, Self-winding Automatic Chronometer Movement (COSC Chronometer Certified)
- Polished Stainless Steel Case on Brown Crocodile Leather Strap, 43mm Case Diameter
- Cambered Scratch Resistant Sapphire Crystal Glareproofed on Both Sides
Fratello distinguishes rare 1954 “Pre-806” watches, powered by Valjoux 72, from subsequent 806 models after Breitling moved to the Venus 178 in 1955. The 806 appeared in stainless steel, gold-plated, and full-gold versions. AOPA wings remained on dials through late 1964, while Breitling signatures varied over the period. These historical traits can help describe a watch, but a reference or dial detail alone does not authenticate an individual example.
In Fratello’s June 2023 estimates, rare Pre-806 examples were around €20,000 and upward, while 1950s Venus 178 806s were around €9,000 and upward. The figures depend on condition and variant and should not be read as present-day valuations.
2. Navitimer 806 “Reverse Panda”
The second pick is a later 806 whose contrasting subdials create the reverse-panda look. Fratello dates the dial change to 1965 onward and notes a shift to straight-cut or serrated bezel ridges. The style is associated with racing drivers Jim Clark and Graham Hill, as well as musician Miles Davis.
For the late-1960s example it discusses, Fratello gives a 41 mm case and 22 mm lug spacing. Those measurements are specific to that variant, not universal specifications for the 806 family. Its June 2023 estimate for late-1960s steel Reverse Panda examples was roughly €5,000–€10,000, with condition affecting value.
3. Navitimer Date 7806
Introduced in 1972, the 7806 was the first Navitimer in the traditional case style to add a date display, according to Fratello. It is distinct from the earlier “Big Case” Chrono-Matic references 1806 and 1809. The 7806 uses a manually wound Valjoux 7740, with the date aperture between 4 and 5 o’clock.
Rank #2
- Model UB0121211F1A1
Its layout also differs from the familiar three-register arrangement: a running-seconds counter takes the place of the six o’clock hour counter. Red accents on the dial and slide rule add a further visual distinction. Fratello’s June 2023 estimate for 7806 examples was roughly €4,000–€8,000; it is historical pricing, not a current offer.
4. Navitimer 81600
The 81600 represents the Navitimer’s return in 1986. After Ernest Schneider bought Breitling in 1979, the company concentrated on newer models; Fratello says the 81600 was produced in 1986 and 1987 and continued the classic look in a restrained way. It is the pick for readers interested in that revival period rather than an early vintage 806.
Fratello lists the 81600 at 41.5 mm in diameter, 11.5 mm thick, and 22 mm between the lugs. Its manually wound Lemania 1873 has 18 jewels, runs at 21,600 vibrations per hour, and provides a 40-hour power reserve. Fratello also associates the reference with French singer Serge Gainsbourg, who wore one on a platinum racing bracelet.
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Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →The article’s June 2023 price estimate was roughly €3,500–€5,000. Those figures are not a present-day market survey. The reference’s relatively short production period and historical role are part of its appeal, but condition and originality still matter on an individual watch.
5. Navitimer 806 1959 Re-Edition: the wildcard
Fratello’s wildcard is the 2019 Navitimer 806 1959 Re-Edition, a modern interpretation rather than a vintage reference. It has a 40 mm stainless-steel case, 22 mm lug spacing, 12.86 mm thickness, 30 m water resistance, and a modern Breitling B09 movement. Its bezel has 94 beads, a design detail intended to echo the 1959 model.
Rank #3
- Calibre Breitling 01 (Manufacture)
- Power reserve of over 70 hours.
- From the New 2018 Colllection
Breitling’s production run was limited to 1,959 pieces. Fratello reported that the edition sold out quickly but could still be found pre-owned when its article appeared in June 2023; that is not evidence of current stock. The article’s estimate of around €8,000–€8,500 is likewise a June 2023 figure, not a current resale quote.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How the five references differ
| Pick | Role in the Navitimer story | Movement or distinctive feature | Dimensions Fratello specifies | Fratello’s June 2023 price estimate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Early 806 | Original AOPA-era design; officially assigned reference 806 in 1955 | 1950s 806s used Venus 178 after the 1955 change; rare 1954 Pre-806s used Valjoux 72 | Not stated for the early classic | Rare Pre-806: around €20,000 and upward; 1950s Venus 178 806: around €9,000 and upward |
| 806 “Reverse Panda” | Later 806 dial style, dated by Fratello to 1965 onward | Contrasting subdials; later bezel ridges may be straight-cut or serrated | 41 mm case and 22 mm lug spacing for the late-1960s example discussed | Roughly €5,000–€10,000 for late-1960s steel examples |
| 7806 | Traditional-case Navitimer with a date, introduced in 1972 | Manual Valjoux 7740; date between 4 and 5 o’clock | Not stated | Roughly €4,000–€8,000 |
| 81600 | 1986–1987 return to the classic Navitimer look | Manual Lemania 1873; 18 jewels, 21,600 vph, 40-hour power reserve | 41.5 mm diameter, 11.5 mm thick, 22 mm lug spacing | Roughly €3,500–€5,000 |
| 806 1959 Re-Edition | 2019 limited-edition modern interpretation | Breitling B09; 94-bead bezel; 1,959-piece run | 40 mm diameter, 12.86 mm thick, 22 mm lug spacing; 30 m water resistance | Around €8,000–€8,500 |
All prices in the table are Fratello’s approximate euro estimates published June 16, 2023. They are not comparable to a live listing or a current appraisal, and the source ties values to condition and, for some versions, special variants.
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Which Navitimer might suit you?
- For the foundational design: Look at an early 806, while treating AOPA wings, signatures, materials, and movement as details that need to be assessed on the specific watch.
- For a more graphic vintage dial: The Reverse Panda 806 is the clearest choice among these five, but confirm the exact year and variant before relying on a stated size or bezel description.
- For a date display: The 7806 adds a date while changing the subdial arrangement from the classic 806 layout.
- For the 1980s revival: The 81600 connects the traditional Navitimer appearance with a later manual-wind Lemania movement.
- For a modern limited edition: The 1959 Re-Edition recreates vintage cues with a modern B09 movement, but its 2019 production run does not establish present-day availability.
For a vintage purchase, compare originality, condition, service history, and provenance on the individual watch. A model reference identifies a family or variant; it does not establish that a particular listing is authentic or that its components remain original.
Where current Navitimers fit
Breitling’s current collection page lists family offerings such as the Navitimer Automatic 41, Automatic GMT 41, and B01 Chronograph 46. The brand describes modern Navitimers as drawing on the line’s history while using current calibers and materials. That present-day lineup provides context, but it does not establish current stock or pricing for any of the five historical picks.
Sources: Fratello, “Fratello’s Top 5 Breitling Navitimer References Ever Created,” June 16, 2023; Breitling Navitimer collection; Breitling Navitimer overview.
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
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