Lots of talk of peak this and peak that at the moment - another 2020ism perhaps. What does the readership think of this ‘tropical’ ? It’s been sitting on the ‘donk for a couple of weeks - 1) because it’s overpriced, but 2) this dial just looks fucked to me ... am I missing something?
Whoa Breitling dials are busy enough at the best of times but this is something else. Tropical? It looks like it was left on the floor of a tropical rainforest dial up. I’m just thinking what other cool watches I could get for the same $$$$$$
This would be a first for me, never knew there were Breitling Navitimers with tropical dials. The reference 806 is a classic and iconic model, but, I wouldn't touch this example... looks too much like a damaged dial from excess moisture or recovered from the Titanic. Rob#1... you made me laugh.
I like it if it was found dirt cheap and it was a bit of rescue project. Something that you brought back to life. It's got a cool look to it but wouldn't be something I'd pay a premium for or even anything close to the price of a good non tropical dial piece.
That dial is a mess and would get on my nerves after a while . Probably give you a headache trying to read it. Crazy price as well.
Nope. I'm not a huge patina or "tropical" fan, but I actually think the first one looks awesome. This linked one looks dingy. To each their own though. Not in the market for either. And yeah, I don't think that the top one deserves any sort of premium for the way it looks - I just happen to kind of like it because the printing is still so sharp, despite the obvious damage.
Its all relative though, if this were a 5513 it would have sold quick, so judging based strictly on the amount of "tropicalness"/damage is not really a good representation of the tropical market.
I'm the one who bought it, haha! Yes, generally overpriced. If it wasn't, it wouldn't have sat on Hodinkee making me think about it it for a couple of weeks. This is not a justification, I just like bantering about watches. The bad part about it... Marco is right, it's not easy to read the time on it if you're not in bright ligh. The hour hand is usually fine, but the minute hand is not nearly as clear as it looks in the pics. And you practically need a loupe to read the seconds hand. I wear watches to tell time, not just to look pretty, so this is the frustration when you buy a watch without seeing it in person. But it's not water damaged, and everything on it works just perfectly. I had it serviced after I got it since who knew when it was last done, and it's in excellent condition. Here's why I got it... I like it as a standalone watch -- meaning I wouldn't have bought it just because it's "tropical" or "patina" or whatever other spin word to put on it... I bought it because I genuinely liked the look of it, color, etc. I would buy a new watch that looked like this. Like was mentioned above, if this was a 5513 or any old pepsi dial, many of which look shitty, it would have been scooped up. But more than that, I bought for reasons not much different than why others buy "rare" watches and why they cost more. It's a one of a kind. The pic that Marsimaxam posted of an 806 that looks more original 1) looks dingy to me as well, which is fine, just different, and 2) isn't as unique looking. This one looks unlike anything else anyone can buy. I also am a huge fan of minute details, and looking through a loupe at the face of this is incredibly interesting, and not something that can be faked or found much. I like seeing this on my wrist, and that's a good reason for anyone to have a certain watch, regardless of who thinks what about it. Lastly, on vintage watches, I like knowing the full "story", and I still haven't traced this all the way back. So if anyone who knows of this watch, or was a previous owner sees this post, I'd like to learn more!
I had a pretty gnarly 806 too at one point...I liked it a lot, warts and all, but sold it in the end as the faded dial condition started to get to me. Still I can understand where you are coming from with your attraction.
I think that’s a little too far gone for my taste, but I can appreciate it. I’m glad it found a good home! Congrats!
Very nice. I need to take some photo lessons from you. I mess around with it, but it looks like you have the right set up.