canadadave
Gold Member
Here's a stunning vintage Breitling Navitimer known as the "Old Navitimer I", circa 1990, having model reference #81610 and powered by an early workhorse Valjoux 7750.
These early 7750's were 17-jewel ebauches whose rotors were not originally signed by Breitling. The company was re-emerging from insolvency under new ownership in the 80's and was focused on re-establishing the brand, not on adorning its concealed movements. That changed once the Navitimer got back on its feet in the early/mid 90's, with refinements including Breitling-signed rotors, 25-jewel 7750's (replacing the 17-jewel), stylized "B" center-chrono hands, sapphire crystals, screw-down case backs, etc.
Timekeeping on this Navitimer is excellent. Beat rate and amplitude were measured on my Timegrapher yesterday at 0 to -2, and 287 to 290, respectively, in the dial-up position over an extended period.
This beauty is mounted on an OEM Breitling milanese mesh bracelet, the same bracelet Breitling places on the SuperO's and optionally on the recent "Airline Series" Navitimers such as the Pan Am. The bracelet really makes the Navitimer pop...a compliment magnet for sure. All links included, therefore will fit any size wrist. Weight of the watch and bracelet as currently sized for a 7" wrist is 136 grams.
Condition of the timepiece is overall excellent, particularly for a 30-year-old vintage. The dial is clean and unmarred. The dial markers show a creamy and dreamy patinae. The sliding-scale bezel turns freely bidirectionally and has a pearly luster to it, matching the subdials. The crown winds smoothly and solidly. The date changes properly. The case has minor surface wear commensurate with age, but no major dings or deep scratches. The original case back having been polished, the markings are readable only on close examination but easily so with a loupe. Chrono functions work as they should, and chrono hands zero precisely.
No box, no papers, no warranty. Godspeed finding vintage Navitimers with any of those. However, with its Valjoux 7750 being among the oldest, most reliable and universally serviceable chrono movements ever produced and still produced, you won't likely miss a warranty or see frequent servicing needs or costs.
FedExed to your Canadian doorstep for $4,775. (The current Navitimer with Valjoux 7750-based movement on bracelet will run you just under $9,000 CDN tax-in, before any discount.) Trade value $5,000 in the off-chance you have something that interests me. Cheers
These early 7750's were 17-jewel ebauches whose rotors were not originally signed by Breitling. The company was re-emerging from insolvency under new ownership in the 80's and was focused on re-establishing the brand, not on adorning its concealed movements. That changed once the Navitimer got back on its feet in the early/mid 90's, with refinements including Breitling-signed rotors, 25-jewel 7750's (replacing the 17-jewel), stylized "B" center-chrono hands, sapphire crystals, screw-down case backs, etc.
Timekeeping on this Navitimer is excellent. Beat rate and amplitude were measured on my Timegrapher yesterday at 0 to -2, and 287 to 290, respectively, in the dial-up position over an extended period.
This beauty is mounted on an OEM Breitling milanese mesh bracelet, the same bracelet Breitling places on the SuperO's and optionally on the recent "Airline Series" Navitimers such as the Pan Am. The bracelet really makes the Navitimer pop...a compliment magnet for sure. All links included, therefore will fit any size wrist. Weight of the watch and bracelet as currently sized for a 7" wrist is 136 grams.
Condition of the timepiece is overall excellent, particularly for a 30-year-old vintage. The dial is clean and unmarred. The dial markers show a creamy and dreamy patinae. The sliding-scale bezel turns freely bidirectionally and has a pearly luster to it, matching the subdials. The crown winds smoothly and solidly. The date changes properly. The case has minor surface wear commensurate with age, but no major dings or deep scratches. The original case back having been polished, the markings are readable only on close examination but easily so with a loupe. Chrono functions work as they should, and chrono hands zero precisely.
No box, no papers, no warranty. Godspeed finding vintage Navitimers with any of those. However, with its Valjoux 7750 being among the oldest, most reliable and universally serviceable chrono movements ever produced and still produced, you won't likely miss a warranty or see frequent servicing needs or costs.
FedExed to your Canadian doorstep for $4,775. (The current Navitimer with Valjoux 7750-based movement on bracelet will run you just under $9,000 CDN tax-in, before any discount.) Trade value $5,000 in the off-chance you have something that interests me. Cheers
