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An issued Breitling Navitimer Chronograph Automatic Reference 1806 from the Iraqi Air Force. This reference is affectionately known as the 'fried egg' which you can read more about below! 

Featuring a crest (Iraqi military markings) on the case back, this is no average Navitimer (if there is such a thing)! Issued to the Iraqi Air Force in the 1970s this striking 1806 model from Breitling is a really rare treat when they very occasionally appear on the market. The Breitling Navitimer is an evolution of the 1942 Breitling Chronomat, with its typical slide rule bezel. Breitling decided to improve this highly practical bezel and in 1952, the ‘Navi’ was born. This slide rule bezel was used to calculate complicated operations without any other tool. The “Navitimer” name is the contraction of “navigation” and “timer”. The first edition to be sold was the reference 806, powered by a manually wound chronograph movement with a column wheel mechanism, the Venus 178. Housed inside the stainless steel case of the present example is the Calibre 12 movement, with 17 jewels, which is based on the Buren 1282 which is arguably the first-ever automatic chronograph movement.  

What’s On Offer

The dial although initially looks intricate is in fact highly useful. The outer tracks of the dial are naturally utilised for flying operations but even for civilian use look highly attractive and interesting. This particular model is further enhanced with its various flashes of colour to the dial with the orange central second's chronograph hand and the orange sub-dial hand. The interesting shape of the sub-dial hands also differentiates it from many other similar watches. The condition of the dial is fantastic bearing in mind the watch is effectively a tool watch made for heavy-duty use in flight and in potential battle scenarios. There is a real charm to the patina to the edges of the bezel which in our opinion adds allure to the overall appearance of the watch. The 1806 Iraqi Air Force Navitimer is very rare and not seen on the market regularly so the watch on offer here presents a great opportunity to add a true collector’s watch of such a famous model from Breitling to your collection.

The watch movement was originally built with a 42-hour power reserve, and was recently serviced and is therefore keeping time excellently.

Chunky octagonal case with chronograph pushers at 2 and 4 O’clock. The left-handed crown makes this large case wear very comfortably.

Reverse panda dial with chronograph registers at 9 and 3 O’clock - date aperture at 6. N.b. look closely and you will see, the dial bears Iraqi Air Force wings and not the Breitling wings you will normally see, making this piece even rarer.

A highly practical and intricate interface, the Navitimer has been preferred by pilots for decades. The detailed dial, bi-rotational conversion bezel and left-handed crown all attest to this here.

This watch is in entirely original condition, with no evident replacement parts or work having been carried out.

For an interesting read around the provenance of this watch, please see the link below. Previously unbeknown to us – this model is often referred to as the ‘Fried Egg’!

https://www.fratellowatches.com/watches-pencils-14-breitling-1806-fried-egg/ 

Additional information

Made from:

Case: Stainless Steel With Military Markings

Dial:  Original Black Reverse Panda

Crystal: Plexiglass

Bracelet: Leather Strap

Technical specifications

Winding: Automatic

Movement Type: Mechanical automatic Chronograph

Calibre: Calibre 12

Jewels: 17

Waterproof: when new

Power reserve: 42hrs

Purchase details

Condition: excellent original

Model Reference Number: 1806

Date of issue: 1970’s

Guarantee: 12 months VWS

Dimensions

Width (without crown): 48mm

Lug width: 22mm

Lug height (lug to lug) 48mm