In the early 1950’s, Breitling released their first pilot’s watch, the ref. 806. Featuring a slide rule chronograph, the model was called the “Navitimer." The slide rule was an important innovation for pilots, because it equipped them with the means to make important calculations to make their flights successful. While the Chronomat was the first Breitling model to feature a slide rule, the Navitimer--with its long association with the Aircraft Owners & Pilot's Association or AOPA--established Breitling's reputation as a watch company for pilots. The AOPA proceeded to declare the Navitimer as their official timepiece.

The present watch is an example of a ref. 806 with the AOPA logo in lieu of the Breitling logo which adorned later versions of the reference. Additionally, it features black subsidiary dials for 12 hour, 30 minutes, and constant seconds. Later versions of the Navitimer bore silver engine-turned subsidiary dials started in 1962.