NATO all the things?
It's taken me a while to come around to nylon or fabric, or even leather NATO / Zulu straps. I used to see them as a cheap alternative to steel bracelets, or horween leather. But now I'm seeing that my entire collection is becoming devoid of any metal, and it looks like a small arrangement of seat belts.
I'm all for it, especially since I wear my watches 24 hours a day in some cases, and they just seem to disappear on my wrist. Has anyone had this new awakening?
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Matthew
I'm a flight instructor with a healthy obsession with watches of all shapes and prices.
Long Island
Member since
Last active: 2 months ago
That strap looks great Matthew.
That strap looks great Matthew.
Thank you!
It's not new for me, I've been a fan of fabric straps since the 90s. Currently my favourite straps are Erika's Original MN straps, they are the perfect fabric strap in my opinion.
I like NATOs. Since I have metal allergies they prevent the case back from hitting my skin. I have two that are silicone and one nylon.
No. It didn't happen to me and I doubt if I'll experience any kind of revelation on my way to Damascus as far as NATO straps are concerned.
I hate them. I hate their jingly hardware, I hate how they bulk the watch, and I hate how the strap fold. I hate how they insta-cheap the look of any watch.
I hate how they pretend to be what they are not because they are not even used in the military. I should know as I spent more than 5 years of my life in uniform and the number of time I saw a soldier wearing a watch on a NATO strap was exactly 0. We had other and better tricks to protect our watches without looking like idiots.
I do like the alternatives. For example I have plenty of positive experience with Erika's Original straps.
I love NATO and Zulu straps for many situations. I also didn't love the idea initially, but once I gave it a try they have now been on my watches for over a decade now. I do tend to wear them more in the summer, as they don't always slide under a jacket/coat cuff well with the folded end.
Love that Lorier!
I've had the same awakening thanks to the versatility of the Black Bay 58. I have posts from 6+ months ago being anti-NATO but thanks to Crown and Buckle and CNS watch straps, I've fallen hard for NATOs once again.
NATO quality has improved substantially across the board since I started getting into watches in 2017. The quality of this CNS strap ($10) is shocking.
I think NATO straps make all of my watches look better. It let’s the watch head sing unlike a bracelet. Don’t get me wrong, I love bracelets — they’re just not my favorite.
I personally can't stand NATOs on most of my watches. The added height and the extra length annoys me to no end... But I have found some slimmer marine nationale style straps are plenty comfortable, don't add too much height, and have no extra bits.
But generally I'm still a leather/steel guy.
I personally can't stand NATOs on most of my watches. The added height and the extra length annoys me to no end... But I have found some slimmer marine nationale style straps are plenty comfortable, don't add too much height, and have no extra bits.
But generally I'm still a leather/steel guy.
I always cut of the strap that adds the extra height,so it's only a single pass
I like Nato. They are versitile and functional. Working from home, I can keep the watch on in all my daily duties, from work in my laptop (not scratching it with the bracelet) to wash the dishes in the sink (where I do not want my leather straps to get wet). A small gain, but worth sometimes.
Love a good nato. Variety!
I got onto natos about a decade ago and, even with the very rough ones I was buying for cheap, it was a revelation to me versus always wearing a bracelet. In the years since I have found better, softer natos - and they are even more enjoyable to wear. All that said, a much more recent revelation for me, however, is the Marine Nationale elastic strap. If you want to feel like nothing's on your wrist, get one of those.
Im not really into nato. In fact my awakening is from all other strap to steel bracelet 😁.
If it’s the right watch, yes, I think they have their place in terms of looks & comfort. (Took me a while myself to warm up to them) Not all cases work though. I’ve seen a few dress watches on nylon & I cant agree with that one.
On another matter, thats a lovely Tudor with an explorer dial!
I've been a nato/cloth strap guy for a long while now. I have, just recently, started to put some of my watches, however, back on the bracelet. Just today I put my Breitling SO back on the bracelet. I guess I've gotten a little bored with the nato thing. Goes in cycles I suppose.
On another matter, thats a lovely Tudor with an explorer dial!
Thank you! Custom built Seiko mod with a Yobokies dial and hand set, Nh35 movement.
I feel the same about chronographs or GMTs from a design standpoint.
No. It didn't happen to me and I doubt if I'll experience any kind of revelation on my way to Damascus as far as NATO straps are concerned.
I hate them. I hate their jingly hardware, I hate how they bulk the watch, and I hate how the strap fold. I hate how they insta-cheap the look of any watch.
I hate how they pretend to be what they are not because they are not even used in the military. I should know as I spent more than 5 years of my life in uniform and the number of time I saw a soldier wearing a watch on a NATO strap was exactly 0. We had other and better tricks to protect our watches without looking like idiots.
I do like the alternatives. For example I have plenty of positive experience with Erika's Original straps.
My Damascene conversion was trimming the extra layer.
That said, I very much prefer Erika's MN and Mankey Designs.
I've been exclusively a nato wearer (with the rare exception of a leather strap) since I got into watches a couple years ago. Not a fan of bracelets.
Arrangement/ collection of seat belts indeed! Makes me want to wear them as actual belts too.