Strap for Navitimer 1 38 Automatic Stainless Steel / Red Gold / Silver / Bracelet

The lug width of the Breitling Navitimer U17325211G1A1 is 20 mm. This measurement is taken internally between the two lugs at the point where the spring bars are fitted. Before purchasing an aftermarket strap, it is always advisable to confirm the measurement using a digital calliper.

For this bi-material Navitimer in red gold and stainless steel, a vegetable-tanned alligator strap in tobacco or cognac tones offers the most coherent aesthetic pairing: the natural grain complements the warmth of the gold. Alternatively, a polished box-calf leather strap provides a more formal, low-profile option, whilst a vulcanised rubber tropic strap reinterprets the Navitimer's aviatory character in a sporting direction.

The strap is replaced by removing the spring bars from the case lugs using a dedicated springbar tool or forked screwdriver. On this model the lugs have a slightly curved profile, so a slim tool is recommended to avoid scratching the red gold surfaces. The operation takes only a few minutes and does not require a visit to a service centre.

Yes: any strap with a 20 mm lug width is technically compatible. Milanostraps.it offers a curated selection of handcrafted straps in 20 mm — alligator, calf leather, shell cordovan, NATO and rubber — with straight or pre-curved ends suited to the Navitimer's lug geometry. Stainless steel spring bars are recommended to avoid marking the red gold lugs.

The lifespan of a leather strap depends on the material, tanning method and frequency of wear. A quality vegetable-tanned alligator strap, maintained regularly with a conditioning cream, can last between three and six years while developing a distinguished patina. Shell cordovan, owing to its dense fibre structure, typically outlasts standard calf leather. Prolonged exposure to water and perspiration accelerates deterioration: for sporting or summer use, a rubber or NATO strap is advisable.