Breitling Navitimer Chrono-Matic

PRODUCTION SPAN: 1968-1977

Big steps for the Navitimer and chronographs in general: Breitling is one of the partners to develop one of the world's first automatic chronograph calibers, the cal. 11. The ref. 1806 Navitimer Chrono-Matic not only holds that technical marvel, but also comes with a new, quite revolutionary case design. Developed together with EPSA Piquerez, the famous casemaker, the "Big Case" introduces a complex bezel mechanism, that allows high waterproof ratings. At a 48mm diameter, it was huge for that period. Most examples are marked with the patent application number "DDE + BR 11525/67" from August 1967, the last production batches carry the patent publication number 486728 from Februrary 1970.

The Navitimer Chrono-Matic 1806 has hour and minute counter chronograph subdials, but no "running seconds." The date window is positioned at 6; red accents feature on both dial and slide rule; logos are "Twin Jet" for Breitling-distributed Navitimer or silverwhite printed AOPA-signed wings; dials are marked CHRONO-MATIC. Due to technical design considerations of the modular calibers 11 & 12, all Chrono-Matics have the setting crown on the left.

Full Restoration at Breitling costing £1532.40 in 2016.