Don't worry, under normal use the JLC leather straps can last way longer than one year. Use on it from time to time a good fine leather protection cream, specially to avoid moisture getting into it. Keeping it flexible will help the "tension hole" to stay round and not getting a transversal crease which might lead to a break line.
Those clasps are nice and help reducing tension, but are quite expensive too. There are many wonderful affordable leather straps to substitute the original JLC.
Most high end watches are overpriced, as any other luxury item, but I agree that Hublot is particularly offensive in that regard IMO.