Strap for Navitimer 01 43 Red Gold / Black / Air Racer

The lug width of the Breitling Navitimer RB012012/BA49/220R is 22 mm. This measurement is taken internally between the two lugs using a calliper and determines the correct strap width to purchase. It is a standard dimension in professional watchmaking, offering broad availability of high-quality aftermarket straps.

For an 18-carat red gold case such as that of the Navitimer, a polished alligator belly strap in deep bordeaux or cognac brown offers the most coherent pairing both materially and aesthetically. Alternatively, a vegetable-tanned Tuscan calf strap with open grain highlights the artisanal character of the timepiece. A red gold deployante clasp completes the ensemble while protecting the leather from premature wear.

The strap is removed using a fine-tipped spring bar tool or a small flathead screwdriver, by releasing the spring bar connecting the strap to the case lugs. Care must be taken to avoid scratching the red gold surfaces: it is advisable to protect the case with masking tape or entrust the operation to a watchmaker or a specialist atelier such as Casati Milano.

Yes. Any strap with a 22 mm attachment width is technically compatible with the Navitimer RB012012/BA49/220R, provided the spring bars are of the correct length for the case lugs. Milano Straps offers a selection of 22 mm straps in various materials — leather, alligator, rubber, NATO — crafted by hand and available with a pin buckle or deployante clasp.

The lifespan of a leather strap depends on the material, the tanning process and daily care. A quality vegetable-tanned calf strap, kept away from excessive moisture and sweat and periodically treated with a specific leather conditioner, can last between two and four years with daily wear. A high-grade alligator strap, thanks to the density of its dermal fibre, tends to have a longer service life, developing over time a characteristic patina that enhances its aesthetic value.