296 - Breitling - UAE Air Force

Breitling - UAE Air Force A rare, important vintage pilot's wrist chronograph with date display and slide rule function via rotating bezel, made for the UAE Air Force—with a photocopy of the extract from the archives Ref. 8806-8, Cal. 12, Case No. 1425903, Dimensions 40 mm, circa 1970, Origin: Switzerland, Extract from the archives Case: Steel, push-back, bidirectional rotating bezel, crown on the left, Breitling steel bracelet, total length 190 mm. Dial: Black. Movement: Automatic. This historically significant Breitling Navitimer automatic chronograph (Ref. 8806) dating from 1973 was part of an exclusive delivery to the newly established Air Force of the United Arab Emirates, starting with serial numbers 14258XX. The timepiece is considered the only known vintage Breitling produced specifically for the UAE. While Breitling supplied various Middle Eastern countries with military watches from the 1960s onward, this Abu Dhabi Defense Force (ADDF) variant stands out: Instead of the usual engravings on the caseback, this model features a silvered UAE emblem placed directly on the dial at 12 o’clock. Because of this prominent design element, the dial layout was adjusted, with the Breitling signature moved downward and seamlessly integrated with the “Navitimer” and “Chrono-matic” designations. Case: very good, showing signs of wear. Dial: very good. Movement: very good, in working order, cleaning recommended. Please note that leather straps made from endangered or protected species—such as alligator, crocodile, or lizard—are used in our catalog or on our website for illustrative purposes only. For customs-related reasons, such straps cannot be shipped outside the EU.