Strap for Montbrillant 01 Red Gold / Aurora Blue / Calf

The Breitling Montbrillant RB013012.C896.113X has a lug width of 20mm. This measurement should be taken between the two lugs at the point where the strap attaches to the case, using a millimetre calliper. Aftermarket straps must feature a 20mm attachment width and may taper to 16 or 18mm at the buckle end.

For an 18kt red gold case such as that of the Montbrillant RB013012.C896.113X, a vegetable-tanned alligator strap — in tobacco, cognac or bordeaux — is the most coherent choice for the formal register of the piece. The belly or hornback grain develops a natural patina over time that complements the warm hue of the gold. Shell cordovan offers a compact fibre and a distinctive dry lustre as an alternative. For less formal daily use, box-calf leather or moulded rubber provide durability without compromising aesthetics.

The strap on the Montbrillant RB013012.C896.113X is replaced using a spring bar tool — a fine-tipped lever instrument used to release the spring bars securing the strap to the lugs. The original Breitling spring bars are standard diameter and can be reused with any 20mm aftermarket strap featuring compatible holes. The operation takes approximately two minutes and requires no specialist watchmaking skills, though it should be performed on a soft surface to avoid scratching the gold case.

Yes. The Breitling Montbrillant RB013012.C896.113X features 20mm lugs, a standard measurement for which a wide range of quality aftermarket straps is available. Milanostraps.it offers handcrafted straps in alligator, calf leather, shell cordovan, NATO weave and rubber, all supplied with spring bars and compatible with the original lug width of this reference. For a bespoke result with personally selected leather, Casati Milano provides an in-atelier made-to-measure service.

The lifespan of a leather strap paired with the Breitling Montbrillant RB013012.C896.113X depends on the material and care taken. A quality vegetable-tanned alligator strap, treated with neutral cream and kept away from prolonged water and perspiration exposure, can last between three and five years while developing a distinctive patina. Shell cordovan has a denser fibre and tends to outlast standard alligator. Calf leather straps have a shorter average life of one to three years but are more economical to replace. Rubber straps can last in excess of ten years under normal conditions.