The Breitling Watch Source Forums

Hi all,

Recently my father in law made me see this B Navitimer 806.
Not being an expert, I kindly ask for an opinion and for a quote.
Other than that, I think it is a nice vintage watch.

Thank you for looking.

Fabrizio

At first glance, it looks OK but on deeper inspection, I think it was probably put together.

- the caseback says "stainless steel back", which is what is written on gold plated watches, not steel.
- the serial number, although hard to read, seems to come from 1967. The style of your dial is from after 1970
- the subdial hands are the type/shape that come from an earlier version of the Navitimer that had smaller subdials.
- the same with the chrono sweep hand which is too short on yours, also maybe coming from the same watch that the subdial hands came from.
- pushers are replacements, but not a big issue. Also evidence of parts replacement in the movement due to different finishes - not a big issue again, but evidence that it has been fiddled around with,
- lastly, and it might just be the camera angle - the bezel edges look a bit big and pronounced, but maybe a side photo would help decide if there was an issue there.

I think you are right for the "stainless steel back", so probably the serial from 66 it's not the original one.
Question for the dial. What differentiate 70' from 60' dials?

And finally the side photo.

Bezel looks OK.

Attached are 2 images I pulled off google images - first one from 1971 and second one from 1963 so you can compare the size of the white subdials, and the shape and lengths of their hands.

Thank you for the reply, can you tell me the aprox price of such a watch?

David has pointed out the multiple issues here, so putting a value to it isn't so easy - tough to get right; especially the case issues; so approx. 2-2.5k

Thank you for reply. My only doubt is for the dial because i have read that from the mid '60 B produced dials with this graphic on 806 watches.

dial is fine for ca. 1969 and later as Dave has written, not for this watch.

Good morning, I wrote to Breitling to get information about the case back with the inscription "STAINLESS STEEL BACK".
They told me textually:

Good morning,
the inscription STAINLESS STEEL BACK, (rear part in stainless steel) determines only that the bottom of the model is in stainless steel regardless of the case.
Kind regards

which "Breitling" wrote that - can't believe the the Heritage Department would say that, as it is clearly incorrect?

Attached Breitling's answer in Italian.
I am Italian.
I think, but it is a guess as there is no evidence that in those years 66.67 Breiling, as well as other companies, used the components without paying too much attention to the details to which we passionate now give much importance.

no, they did not, this is utterly incorrect, I'll talk to the guys in Italy.

ok, let me know, maybe they give you another answer.

no, I'll tell them they are wrong (and believe me they'll accept that).

At least Breitling replies to the mails. I had the chance to talk to Rolex and Patek and have only preprinted answers at the table.
Out of curiosity: how can you be so sure of what you say?
You can motivate me.
Thank you for your patience on a neophyte like me.

Fabrizio