Nato to the rescue
And for the first time since starting this hobby, wearing nato straps has paid off. I was going to sit down at a local pub, caught my casio on something. next thing I know I look and it’s dangling as per the photo. I can respect why people don’t like em. but I find them both comfortable, and functional
22 comments
Sort by
Cobra
I have been a watch nerd for going on 5 years now. Favourite type of watch is a flieger. Particularly like the type b. Beyond that other pilots watches, and some field watches tend to be ones that I e...
British Columbia Canada
Member since
Last active: 2 weeks ago
Lucky escape
Classic debate. Did the nato cause or solve this break? I tend to vote for the first as the only time I have ever lost a spring bar was wearing a nato.
Classic debate. Did the nato cause or solve this break? I tend to vote for the first as the only time I have ever lost a spring bar was wearing a nato.
I tend to disagree. I don’t feel a nato is going to cause a failure any more then any other strap. and like I said in the post. it’s not like the spring bar magically fell off. it got caught and was forced off. and that’s is to the primary purpose of a nato. doing rigorous activity, while also securing the watch is case of an issue. Just my two cents. but I have a feeling we are going to have to agree to disagree. neither one of us seems likely to change our minds. which in the end, is completely fair. everyone has their own opinions
Classic debate. Did the nato cause or solve this break? I tend to vote for the first as the only time I have ever lost a spring bar was wearing a nato.
Also, cheers, and thanks for the comment. it’s always great to communicate with the community. even if we do disagree sometimes 🙂🤘
I actually have a Berny v1 compressor style watch with screw bars. I think they are a great idea. my only nitpi is that they can be a bit fidgety to get off without those mini handle screwdrivers. But alas I still wear that in a nato. honestly I’m just a nato kind of guy. but I totally understand not everyone is going to be as into them as I am. and I’m not going to try and change anyone’s mind ether. life is about flavours. we all like different things
I tend to disagree. I don’t feel a nato is going to cause a failure any more then any other strap. and like I said in the post. it’s not like the spring bar magically fell off. it got caught and was forced off. and that’s is to the primary purpose of a nato. doing rigorous activity, while also securing the watch is case of an issue. Just my two cents. but I have a feeling we are going to have to agree to disagree. neither one of us seems likely to change our minds. which in the end, is completely fair. everyone has their own opinions
That is fair, that is why I lead with the debate of it. Many feel due to how natos shift and bunch, they can add pressure/torque to one side of the bar more than traditional straps or bracelets. That is exactly what happened when I tried to wear a Tudor supplied strap, and could see the bar get ejected across a restaurant as if it was in slow motion. :-)
An easy solution regardless of side one falls on is don’t scrimp on spring bars.
Also, cheers, and thanks for the comment. it’s always great to communicate with the community. even if we do disagree sometimes 🙂🤘
Totally understandable and cheers to! That is why we are here. Glad nothing happened to your watch.
That is fair, that is why I lead with the debate of it. Many feel due to how natos shift and bunch, they can add pressure/torque to one side of the bar more than traditional straps or bracelets. That is exactly what happened when I tried to wear a Tudor supplied strap, and could see the bar get ejected across a restaurant as if it was in slow motion. :-)
An easy solution regardless of side one falls on is don’t scrimp on spring bars.
That’s a fair point. don’t buy those ones in bulk. those who do will live to regret it lol. I actually go to my local jewellers for cheap. and they always make sure I get the right size for my watch (which apparently doesn’t just refer to lug width, bit also spring bar thickness too). But yes, always good to get quality spring bars
Totally understandable and cheers to! That is why we are here. Glad nothing happened to your watch.
Same here. while this Casio is pretty inexpensive. it was also a Christmas present from my mom. So it has some personal value to it
Absolutely Bob, failures are certainly not limited to natos. In my case, I like to wear my watches a little tight, which was the issue with the Tudor. I am not sure the conditions were not ideal for success.
i got the same experience. few months ago i borrowed one of my friend steeldive willard to photograph and made a review of it. when i do the photograph session the springbar is fell off. from the looks of it its like its rusted, luckily i got a spare springdrive to swap lol. also nato safe the watch from fell, phew
I've not had any failures from any bands yet despite all I do that would make them fail. Since I enjoy ocean sports the consequences of a failed band would often be a 100% loss.
But the added height from a nato has scared me off them. My compromise has been that I have a preference for the totally overbuilt Seiko fat bar. It looks overbuilt enough that I trust whacking it on a cleat, winch or shroud. One minor annoyance - it means I can't use any aftermarket bands to get that safety assurance.
the Tudor FXD is interesting... but I will not buy another watch without a date (it's so helpful in my daily life)
I didn't like NATOs but I just upgraded my field watch to them. I previously broke a Seagull on a normal strap when it got caught on a window when I was cleaning it. Don't want that happening on a hike!
I have been wearing watches since 1981, and have never had a springbar break on me. I have also been wearing bracelets most of the time, some leather straps, hardly any NATO straps. I wear NATO straps mainly because they are rather comfortable in warmer temperatures.
At least its just a pin
I've not had any failures from any bands yet despite all I do that would make them fail. Since I enjoy ocean sports the consequences of a failed band would often be a 100% loss.
But the added height from a nato has scared me off them. My compromise has been that I have a preference for the totally overbuilt Seiko fat bar. It looks overbuilt enough that I trust whacking it on a cleat, winch or shroud. One minor annoyance - it means I can't use any aftermarket bands to get that safety assurance.
the Tudor FXD is interesting... but I will not buy another watch without a date (it's so helpful in my daily life)
Fair points. I totally understand not being into the added height. I do actually tend to stick to single pass myself. but that’s just me. the other thing I like it I do sometimes seem to have a reaction with the caseback of watches after some time. so I find a nato really helps that too
I didn't like NATOs but I just upgraded my field watch to them. I previously broke a Seagull on a normal strap when it got caught on a window when I was cleaning it. Don't want that happening on a hike!
Awesome to hear! also sorry about your seagull. that really sucks. thanks for the comment and cheers
I have been wearing watches since 1981, and have never had a springbar break on me. I have also been wearing bracelets most of the time, some leather straps, hardly any NATO straps. I wear NATO straps mainly because they are rather comfortable in warmer temperatures.
Honestly, despite what thus post implies. my biggest reason for wearing a nato is exactly that. I just find they are comfortable on my wrist. maybe thats not true for others. but I do find them quite comfortable as a whole
At least its just a pin
True that
Lucky! Military redundancy! Love it!
Cheers!