Bring a Loupe: A Universal Genève Space-Compax, A Movado Tempograph, And An Early Navitimer

That debate aside, here we have what is known as a “Pre-806” Navitimer. Produced in 1954 and 1955, this is the first run of Navitimer production, and it predates the model with a reference number. As you may be able to guess, that eventual reference number is 806. The Navitimer was originally developed for the AOPA, the Aircraft Owners & Pilots Association, hence the golden wing logo on the dial instead of Breitling’s branding. 

You can find later examples with a mix of AOPA and Breitling branding, but the prevailing theory is that these earliest Navitimers were intended to be used only by the AOPA, with Breitling seeing little need to include its branding on the dial. Movement-wise, these earlier Pre-806s utilize a Valjoux 72, an upgrade from the Venus 178s used thereafter.