Vintage Breitling Top Time Yellow Gold Plated and Stainless Steel Watch, 1966
View Similar Items
Vintage Breitling Top Time Yellow Gold Plated and Stainless Steel Watch, 1966
About the Item
- Creator:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1966
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Beverly Hills, CA
- Reference Number:Seller: 124311stDibs: LU139416272001
Breitling
For pilots and others in love with flight, no brand is more closely associated with the world of aviation than Breitling. From the beginning, watchmaker Léon Breitling, who opened his shop in the Swiss Jura Mountains in 1884, was focused on chronographs and their uses in the burgeoning fields of sports, science and industry.
After Léon’s death, in 1914, his son Gaston continued along his father’s trajectory. An early fan of aeronautics, Gaston introduced one of the first wrist-worn chronographs, a welcome upgrade for pilots used to executing complex maneuvers while juggling a pocket watch.
In 1934, Gaston’s son Willy made another leap in the chronograph’s evolution, patenting the first wristwatch with two pushers — one to start and stop elapsed time and one to reset — a feature now taken for granted.
But perhaps the most significant development under Willy’s leadership was the Chronomat watch. Introduced in 1942, it featured a patented rotating slide-rule bezel for making calculations on the fly. This innovation led to the 1952 creation of the brand’s signature timepiece: the Breitling Navitimer.
Designed in partnership with the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, it was adopted as the official watch of the AOPA in 1959 and remains the world’s most iconic pilot’s watch. Not content to rule just the air, Breitling developed dive watches as well, including the Superocean, released in 1957, and the Transocean, which followed in 1958. The house also took its show on the road, producing dashboard clocks and then watches in partnership with luxury automaker Bentley.
The Navitimer, however, still reigns supreme among pilots everywhere. Given the stature earned by Top Gun since its release — as well as the excitement around Top Gun: Maverick — it's never too late to pick up a vintage Breitling Top Gun Navitimer, displaying the official logo of the United States Navy Fighter Weapons School, for yourself or your favorite wingman.
Find a range of Breitling watches on 1stDibs.
- LeVian Time Bangle Watch Stainless SteelBy Le VianLocated in Great Neck, NYLeVian Time® Bangle Watch Stainless SteelCategory
2010s Wrist Watches
- LeVian Time Bangle Watch Stainless SteelBy Le VianLocated in Great Neck, NYLeVian Time® Bangle Watch Stainless SteelCategory
2010s Wrist Watches
- Breitling Chronospace Stainless Steel Watch A23360By BreitlingLocated in London, GBA men's 46mm Chronospace wristwatch in stainless steel by Breitling. Featuring a grey dial, with a date aperture and 3 sub dials displaying the 60 seconds...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Wrist Watches
MaterialsStainless Steel
- Breitling Stainless Steel Tonneau Shape Chronograph WatchBy BreitlingLocated in Long Beach, CAFACTORY / HOUSE: Breitling Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Tonneau Shape / Chronograph METAL / MATERIAL: Stainless Steel DIMENSIONS: Length 43mm X Width 37mm CIRCA: 1970's MOVEME...Category
Mid-20th Century Swiss Modern Wrist Watches
- Breitling Top Time Chevrolet Corvette Steel Mens Watch A25310 Box CardBy BreitlingLocated in Atlanta, GABreitling Top Time Chevrolet Corvette Steel Mens Watch A25310 Box Card. Automatic self-winding movement. Stainless steel round case 42.0 mm in diame...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Wrist Watches
MaterialsSteel
- Breitling Navitimer Stainless Steel Yellow Gold Wristwatch 1990SBy BreitlingLocated in Geneva, CHBreitling Navitimer Wristwatch. Ref. 81610. Circa 1990. Stainless steel and yellow gold automatic chronograph. Case diameter: 41 mm. Wrist length: approximately 19.00 centimeters up ...Category
1990s Swiss Wrist Watches
MaterialsYellow Gold, Steel, Stainless Steel