NATO strap, what to do, what do you do?
I’m always swapping straps, bands, bracelets. This way I get new watches all the time. I like a nice NATO but they often have tails that are too long. What do you guys do/like, tuck, let it fly or shorten the tail? Have you shortened a tail? How did you do it? I usually cut the short keeper part of the strap and heat seal the end. I’m not in any battle fields so I’m worried about it getting knocked off.
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Gary
I’ve worn watches my whole life with some Rolexs bought 40 years ago when an average employed guy could afford them and Seikos a Timex or two long gone. Nothing special until I recently got a little m...
San Jose
Member since
Last active: 7 hrs ago
6.89” / 17.50 cm
I tuck the ends of my NATO straps, I refuse to walk around looking lit a kit bomb about to go off.
All about the "Tuck."
Have you seen that technique where you get the excess of the NATO to sit below your wrist? I keep mine tucked like that for an incognito, somewhat smoother look. Sometimes I tuck it at the twelve 'o clock for that classic look.
I wear mine like Ryan schwartz just mentioned. Once you start wearing it in this fashion there is no going back.
I couldn't wear a nato before that. The spare folded on the side just looks wrong and feels awkward!
NATO straps suck. They are stiff and cause the watch to sit too high. Get yourself a Marine Nationale from Nick Mankey Design or The Watch Steward.
You can thank me later.
I don't like excess strappage so I avoid the NATO straps. The French Navy style straps mentioned above are interesting to me though. In fact Marc got some in recently and I am pondering getting a few.
Have you seen that technique where you get the excess of the NATO to sit below your wrist? I keep mine tucked like that for an incognito, somewhat smoother look. Sometimes I tuck it at the twelve 'o clock for that classic look.
I’ve done that. Not my favorite, l’ll try it again though.
Agreed, I don’t have issues with the straps been stiff.
NATO straps suck. They are stiff and cause the watch to sit too high. Get yourself a Marine Nationale from Nick Mankey Design or The Watch Steward.
You can thank me later.
I’ll try one but I haven’t liked the idea of an elastic strap. I like snug but not tight. Still I should try one. Thanks.
Have and still not my thing.
I’ll try one but I haven’t liked the idea of an elastic strap. I like snug but not tight. Still I should try one. Thanks.
Would not go with Erica's MN. Too stiff. MNs are so adjustable. I have always sworn by bracelets but have honestly considered putting MN on every watch I own.
Would not go with Erica's MN. Too stiff. MNs are so adjustable. I have always sworn by bracelets but have honestly considered putting MN on every watch I own.
I totally disagree, I have four Erika's straps and find them perfect. I want my watch to feel secure on my wrist, not flop around like the soft MN style straps allow.
I’ll try one but I haven’t liked the idea of an elastic strap. I like snug but not tight. Still I should try one. Thanks.
Spend a bit extra and treat yourself to an Erika's Original MN, they are the best strap out there in my opinion.
My GSAR is not a "dainty" watch, but on an Erika's it never moves around on my wrist at all.
Someone please explain to me what the second/double pass piece is supposed to do? I cut my natos to length AND cut off the second pass. Why make your watch stick out any more than it has to with that second pass of fabric?
The second pass doesn't make it more secure. It doesn't stop the head from moving around on the strap (at least I don't have any issues on the straps I've modified). Best I can tell, it doesn't serve any functional purpose.
I have 2 watches with fixed bars and so I have 2 watches that use natos. Both cut to length and sealed. Both converted to single pass.
I need to measure my wrist. I’m thinking 7.75” or so.
I haven’t found any natos long enough to be able to tuck them.
Aliexpress ones don’t even make it to the keeper bar.
Strapscos just barely make it through with a small excess that isn’t tuckable but is annoying.
Blusharks are a bit longer but there is barely enough to tuck and it’s only about 1/8” tucked in.
I trimmed the Strapsco so it wouldn’t have that tiny untuckable flap hanging out but it’s hard to get a nice even round result.
I need to find a similar high quality 12” or longer nato.
Perhaps a Zulu strap may be better for some of you?
Someone please explain to me what the second/double pass piece is supposed to do? I cut my natos to length AND cut off the second pass. Why make your watch stick out any more than it has to with that second pass of fabric?
The second pass doesn't make it more secure. It doesn't stop the head from moving around on the strap (at least I don't have any issues on the straps I've modified). Best I can tell, it doesn't serve any functional purpose.
I have 2 watches with fixed bars and so I have 2 watches that use natos. Both cut to length and sealed. Both converted to single pass.
You put that piece under your wrist. Could help a little bit in case of the buckle failing. Not too useful, but it's far better than adding to the thickness of the watch by putting it on top of the wrist.
NATO straps suck. They are stiff and cause the watch to sit too high. Get yourself a Marine Nationale from Nick Mankey Design or The Watch Steward.
You can thank me later.
Kill the heretic!
Someone please explain to me what the second/double pass piece is supposed to do? I cut my natos to length AND cut off the second pass. Why make your watch stick out any more than it has to with that second pass of fabric?
The second pass doesn't make it more secure. It doesn't stop the head from moving around on the strap (at least I don't have any issues on the straps I've modified). Best I can tell, it doesn't serve any functional purpose.
I have 2 watches with fixed bars and so I have 2 watches that use natos. Both cut to length and sealed. Both converted to single pass.
Originally they were made for the British Army to go with the CWC W10 (I can bring CWC into any conversation!). They were kept in the G1098 store, where the quartermaster hung them on nails on the wall. The second bit of fabric stopped the watch head sliding off when hung up
I tuck mine for the record:
Originally they were made for the British Army to go with the CWC W10 (I can bring CWC into any conversation!). They were kept in the G1098 store, where the quartermaster hung them on nails on the wall. The second bit of fabric stopped the watch head sliding off when hung up
For real? It was for display purposes? Ha! Well, one of the watches I need to use a nato on is a CWC, so, I guess that's appropriate, but I'm never hanging it on the wall on a nail so I've cut the extra loop off to keep it all that much slimmer on my wrist. Thanks for the info. It's the first time I've ever been given an answer that makes sense.
I switched to Split-Natos almost completely, but when I use a normal Nato, I do the "slim tuck" where you go through the Buckle an the Keeper Loop. The urban gentry has a Video about different ways to wear a Nato an that is where I got the slim tuck from.
https://twobrokewatchsnobs.com/comparing-3-elastic-watch-straps-budget-choices-or-budget-be-damned/
I’ve trimmed mine, very carefully using a coin as a template, then sealed it using a soldering iron. I’ve been very happy with the results.
Hi , please check out https://hexagonwatchstraps.co.uk
We have several single pass quality straps which may help your situation or at least give you some inspiration! All the best !
Perhaps a Zulu strap may be better for some of you?
I don’t like the larger loops on the Zulu. Thanks.