1941 Advertisement for the eight aviation Department. (PPR/Breitling)
Breitling & Aviation
The story of Breitling begins in the Bernese Jura in Saint-Imier when Léon Breitling, Swiss of German origin, opened his workshop in 1884. At that time of industrial revolution the abundance of technical advances allowed the meeting between watchmaking and aeronautical research.
From the start, his efforts focused on the creation of chronographs. A know-how transmitted from generation to generation since, a few years later, in 1939, when his grandson Willy Breitling held the reins of the manufacture, it was Breitling chronographs that participated in the war effort by equipping the planes of the Royal Air Force.
The two references that we present to you today are precisely the proof of the unwanning links that unite Breitling and the world of aviation.
BreitlingNavitimer Ref. 806
Appearance of Navitimer 806
The Navitimer Ref. 806 (contraction of "navigation" and "timer") appeared in 1952 with the ambition of being the pilot's reference watch. Heir to the time, of which it takes up the calculation rule, it offers in particular a much greater opening and large luminescent indexes, which allows better visibility. Still with this in mind, the counters that were initially black will quickly become white to allow immediate reading. In addition, it is able to resolve all operations linked to air navigation without tools: consumption rate, climbing time, miles/nautical/kilometers conversion, etc.
The very first Navitimer, like ours, sported the wings of the AOPA logo (Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association) and were equipped with a Valjoux 72 caliber. Very rare, they are popular with collectors. Then, the manufacture changes caliber for Venus 178 which becomes the mastery caliber of Navitimer.
Breitling Navitimer Ref. 806
Breitling Navitimer Ref. 806
Birth of Cosmonaut 809
Ten years later, in 1962, the reference 809 called "Cosmonaut" appeared. It is the same case and the same movement (Venus 178), the only difference is visual: the first having a dial with 12 hour display while the second benefits from a 24 -hour indication.
Ultimate consecration for the brand on May 24, 1962: American astronaut Scott Carpenter, during the orbital flight mission of the NASA Aurora 7 capsule, carries the famous 809 to its wrist.
This is the first chronograph to travel in space, episode all the more important in the context of the Star War, during the Cold War. Participating in the conquest of space has made this timepiece a historic watch, which explains the attraction of collectors.
Breiling Navitimer Ref. 809
Why have them in your collection?
Even today, Navitimer is the most requested and most produced model by the manufacture. Two references which ultimately oppose opposing complement perfectly.
These two watches are emblematic. Synonyms of technical prowess, they constitute milestones in watchmaking history. Having them is a piece of history.
Flash match: 806 vs 809
Breitling & Aviation
The story of Breitling begins in the Bernese Jura in Saint-Imier when Léon Breitling, Swiss of German origin, opened his workshop in 1884. At that time of industrial revolution the abundance of technical advances allowed the meeting between watchmaking and aeronautical research.
From the start, his efforts focused on the creation of chronographs. A know-how transmitted from generation to generation since, a few years later, in 1939, when his grandson Willy Breitling held the reins of the manufacture, it was Breitling chronographs that participated in the war effort by equipping the planes of the Royal Air Force.
The two references that we present to you today are precisely the proof of the unwanning links that unite Breitling and the world of aviation.
Appearance of Navitimer 806
The Navitimer Ref. 806 (contraction of "navigation" and "timer") appeared in 1952 with the ambition of being the pilot's reference watch. Heir to the time, of which it takes up the calculation rule, it offers in particular a much greater opening and large luminescent indexes, which allows better visibility. Still with this in mind, the counters that were initially black will quickly become white to allow immediate reading. In addition, it is able to resolve all operations linked to air navigation without tools: consumption rate, climbing time, miles/nautical/kilometers conversion, etc.
The very first Navitimer, like ours, sported the wings of the AOPA logo (Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association) and were equipped with a Valjoux 72 caliber. Very rare, they are popular with collectors. Then, the manufacture changes caliber for Venus 178 which becomes the mastery caliber of Navitimer.
Birth of Cosmonaut 809
Ten years later, in 1962, the reference 809 called "Cosmonaut" appeared. It is the same case and the same movement (Venus 178), the only difference is visual: the first having a dial with 12 hour display while the second benefits from a 24 -hour indication.
Ultimate consecration for the brand on May 24, 1962: American astronaut Scott Carpenter, during the orbital flight mission of the NASA Aurora 7 capsule, carries the famous 809 to its wrist.
This is the first chronograph to travel in space, episode all the more important in the context of the Star War, during the Cold War. Participating in the conquest of space has made this timepiece a historic watch, which explains the attraction of collectors.
Why have them in your collection?
Even today, Navitimer is the most requested and most produced model by the manufacture. Two references which ultimately oppose opposing complement perfectly.
These two watches are emblematic. Synonyms of technical prowess, they constitute milestones in watchmaking history. Having them is a piece of history.