Breitling Navitimer 'Twin Jet'

Breitling first started manufacturing chronographs as early as the 1910s. But it was the brand's midcentury output that truly shook up the watch world.  Perhaps the most iconic of these models is the Navitimer Ref. 806. First and foremost a pilot's watch — designed for pilots and with pilots' needs in mind — it remains near the top of virtually every vintage watch collector's wish list. In classic "form follows function" style, the Navitimer was engineered to be a tool, with a slide-rule navigation computer operated by an internally-rotatable bezel. Based upon the company's earlier Chronomat model from the 1940s, this system proved extremely useful in the age before digital avionics.  Developed in conjunction with the Aircraft Owners and Pilots' Association (AOPA), the earliest Navitimers bore that organization's logo on a dial with black-on-black with white or gold printing. (These were replaced with the now-classic silver-on-black 'reverse panda' appearance in 1959). In the 1960s, Breitling changed the bezel from a beaded to a serrated version and the dial — which had transitioned from an AOPA to a winged Breitling logo — evolved once again to one featuring dual jet engine tails. Dubbed "Twin Jet" Navitimers, these '60s watches have since become extremely collectible.  Housed in 41mm stainless steel case with a serrated bezel, dual pump pushers, a signed crown, and acrylic crystal, this 1960s Navitimer 'Twin Jet' Reference 806 features a matte black dial with internal slide rule bezel in black, white, and red; luminous tritium 'dash' and 'Arabic' indices; the famous 'Twin Jet' logo in white; a triple-register chronograph layout; and a luminous 'sword' handset. Powered by the hand-wound Venus 178 movement and paired to a brown nubuck leather strap with a stainless steel pin buckle, it's a superb classic in excellent shape. Whether you're looking for a daily driver or you're building a collection of the most important models in the world, this Navitimer will fit right in!