Strap for Airco Mach 3 Stainless Steel / Blue / Calf

The lug width of the Bremont Airco AIRCO MACH 3/BL is 20mm (twenty millimetres). This measurement is the international standard for 40mm watches in the chronograph aviator category. When purchasing a replacement strap, ensure it is dimensioned for 20mm: measure the distance between the inner edges of the lugs to verify exact compatibility. Straps sized 18mm, 19mm, or 21mm will not insert correctly without forcing the connection.

The best material depends on intended use. For civil aviation and formal wear, alligator with vegetable tanning is the authentic choice: the natural texture of the reptile and patina that develops over time tell your watch's history. For daily intensive use and outdoor work, calf leather with vegetable tanning offers elegance with superior durability. Fabric NATO is the minimal and functional solution if you change straps frequently. Vulcanised rubber (Tropic-style) is ideal for hot climates and marine humidity. All these materials are compatible with the 20mm lug width.

Strap replacement requires a simple tool: a spring bar tool or fine needle. Position the watch in a vice with rubber protection (the crystal must face upward). Insert the tool into the small opening of the lug, push inward to compress the spring, then extract the metal pin. Repeat on the other side. Insert the new strap by aligning the holes with the lugs, then push the pins until they lock with a click. If uncertain, consult a certified watchmaker: the procedure requires precision to avoid damaging the lugs.

The Bremont Airco AIRCO MACH 3/BL arrives with a leather or NATO strap depending on the commercial configuration of your purchase (check your order label). This strap is not strictly "Bremont original", but a standard quality supply for this model. Many owners choose aftermarket straps in alligator, calf, or rubber to personalise the watch according to their style or intended use. All compatible 20mm straps (whether aftermarket, vintage military, or from specialist manufacturers) function identically with this model.

Duration depends on tanning method and use intensity. A high-quality vegetable-tanned leather strap (such as alligator or Cordovan calf) lasts 18–36 months in moderate daily wear (8–10 hours worn). If you wear the watch 24 hours daily (including night wear), lifespan reduces to 12–18 months since leather has no time to "breathe" between uses. Vegetable tanning is less water-resistant than industrial chrome tanning, so frequent contact with water (shower, sea) accelerates ageing. A NATO fabric strap or vulcanised rubber lasts 3–4 years even in intensive use, as these materials do not deteriorate biologically.