I hate Natos, and my discovery that new straps make all the difference in the world. AKA, the Zero Pass Nato, and keeping all my watches forever
This post has to do with a totally unoriginal and trite observation - one that has already been commented upon probably 8,000 times here on WC. Nonetheless, when that idea occurs to you for the first time it feels truly revelatory.
So, recently, I’d thought I was going to sell my SLGA007:
And then this happened…
The right strap? Completely transforms a watch. That’s all the SLGA007 Minamo needed, apparently.
All in, this giant pile of straps cost me a small fortune. But, that saved me from selling off an expensive watch, which would then have just pushed me to commit the funds to an even more expensive watch, which I would have sold, which then... etc., etc. So, maybe it was actually a good… investment?
Each row of drawers in my cheap-o Harbor Freight tool box is dedicated to a particular lug width. From top to bottom it’s 19mm - 23mm.
Yes, I know.
Strap maker reviews
Where do the straps come from? Everywhere. I’ve got opinions about different brands and different sellers. Below are brief thoughts on a few of 'em. But, I’ve reserved a more in-depth review for @Max’s Anachronist Zero Pass Nato.
Strapcode
What is there to say, really? These are straps. You know, just regular old straps. Do they hold the watch head up against your wrist? Yes. Are they comfortable? To a degree. Do they feel luxurious? Well… they feel luxurious the way a Toyota Corolla feels luxurious - meaning, they do a job and they do them well, without any frills or frippery. They’re also relatively affordable at ~$50 per strap.
Vietnamcreations
You can find Vietnamcreations on eBay. The straps are genuine crocodile leather as far as I can tell. They’re $20 - $30 each. How the EFF do they do it??? They’re phenomenal straps at that price!!! I think I bought something like 30 different straps from them in the past couple of weeks.
Delugs
Absolutely phenomenal crocodile leather straps. Everything you could ever want from a luxury strap - soft, supple, yet highly structured. Perfectly shaped, perfectly stitched, perfectly constructed. The glossy Delugs straps really complement the Zaratsu on the cases and the diamond polishing on the indices of my GS’es. If you looked up “perfect Crocodile strap” in the dictionary, the Delugs crocodile strap is the picture you’d be presented with. But, at $165 per strap, well… perfection doesn’t come cheap.
So, what do you do if you don’t have a fortune to spend on ridiculous watch straps? Well, we haven’t talked about Hoasavn yet.
Hoasavn - What if I told you that you could get the quality of Delugs crocodile straps, but at a lower price, AND you could get them custom-made? You’d think I’m some sort of huckster. Like this guy…
But, no, I am not Vince Offer. Instead, I just happened to message @huynguyenstrap who posts here on WC all the time, and inquired about ordering custom straps. And, lo and behold, he sells them for imminently reasonable pricing.
Soft, supple, yet highly structured? Check. Perfectly shaped, perfectly stitched, perfectly constructed? Check.
So, you see, you can get perfection at a reasonable price!
Anachronist Zero Pass Nato
I hate Natos. I really, really hate them. They make your watch sit high and floppy off your wrist. And then there are all these flaps everywhere! I hate all the flaps! So, when @Max released the Zero Pass Nato, I had ZERO enthusiasm for them.
Nonetheless, I went ahead and bought 4 of ‘em. Why? I don’t know. I figured that being a part-time YouTuber and a part-time neurologist, Max must be having trouble making rent, stuck eating rice and beans and ramen for every meal, and I just wanted to throw him a bone and support the poor guy.
Got them in the mail, opened up the packages, and then stuck them in a drawer and never gave them another thought.
Then, last week, when I finally organized the 100+ straps I’ve bought into my cheap-o Harbor Freight tool box, I busted out the Zero Pass Natos and decided to throw them on. Look at that…
You see that? No you don’t. You don’t see puffy Nato yuckiness at the lugs. With normal Natos, the material doesn’t slope downward. Because of how Natos have a swath of fabric under the watch head, then curve over the lugs, you get all that ugly bulkiness. Not so with the Zero Pass. And, obviously, because there’s no material under the watch head, the watch feels normal and comfortable on-wrist!
AND the leather used in these straps is super soft and supple. Love it. Seriously one of the most comfortable wearing experiences out there.
“What if a spring bar fails, though? The whole point of the Nato is to protect you against spring bar failures when you’re in tactical situations!”
I’m sorry. But, you must have me confused with this guy…
That's not me. No, this is me…
The most strenuous activity I put my watches through is when I lift a cocktail to my lips. So, you know, the Zero Pass is perfect for cosplaying as a battle-hardened soldier. And now that I have fully embraced my weeaboo nature with all my GS, I’m really getting into cosplay…
It spices things up!
Ultimately, you know what getting new straps is like? It’s like when your partner agrees to put on something that you’ve ordered off Amazon. Like this…
It really spices things up!!!
And when I put it on for her, my wife was ecstatic! So, per my post about potentially selling the SLGA007, no divorce!
There you have it. Just make sure to buy lots and lots and lots of straps!
The Artist formerly known as @HotWatchChick69 and formerly-formerly @Omeganut
More from Mr.Dee.Bater
Excellent write up, cheers mate 👍🏻
Excellent write up, cheers mate 👍🏻
Thank you, sir!
@seasidesavage, saw your posts recently where you're considering different straps and even custom options. If so, hopefully some of these reviews might be helpful!
I've been wearing my favorite MN style strap in a zero pass configuration for a while, and it's just head and shoulders better for me than the standard configuration. Haven't tried it with a nato yet, but I'm already planning to try one of Max's with my next fixed-bar watch purchase.
Thanks for writing and sharing this very entertaining and informative post! I'm curious to try out the one that's like delugs but cheaper.
I've been wearing my favorite MN style strap in a zero pass configuration for a while, and it's just head and shoulders better for me than the standard configuration. Haven't tried it with a nato yet, but I'm already planning to try one of Max's with my next fixed-bar watch purchase.
Thanks for writing and sharing this very entertaining and informative post! I'm curious to try out the one that's like delugs but cheaper.
Wait... how do you wear the MN style strap in a zero pass configuration???
I love the feel of the MN stretchy fabric, etc., but hated the Nato configuration and so got rid of mine!
Thank you, sir!
I appreciate it. Thank you. 🤙
Wait... how do you wear the MN style strap in a zero pass configuration???
I love the feel of the MN stretchy fabric, etc., but hated the Nato configuration and so got rid of mine!
Well, the buckles and hooks and stuff are already arranged differently on the strap than the Erika's original. It's this strap here https://cnswatchbands.com/products/marine-nationale-strap-arrows. I put the watch head next to the rectangle that the receives the hook, and I slide the slider way out towards the hook on order to get enough length to do the zero pass routing. If I had a much bigger wrist, I think I'd need a longer strap to pull it off, but it works well for my 6.7 incher.
Not sure if it would work with the traditional buckle arrangement.
Well, the buckles and hooks and stuff are already arranged differently on the strap than the Erika's original. It's this strap here https://cnswatchbands.com/products/marine-nationale-strap-arrows. I put the watch head next to the rectangle that the receives the hook, and I slide the slider way out towards the hook on order to get enough length to do the zero pass routing. If I had a much bigger wrist, I think I'd need a longer strap to pull it off, but it works well for my 6.7 incher.
Not sure if it would work with the traditional buckle arrangement.
OMG, that's awesome! I'll definitely have to try it out! Thank you!!!
OMG, that's awesome! I'll definitely have to try it out! Thank you!!!
My pleasure, good luck!
Ok, I will tell you, @Mr.Dee.Bater, just you, a secret: I don't much care for NATO straps. I wear a few, @Scaramanga style (folds in the back, not side). I never do a double pass under a watch head, that's just stupid. The Scaramanga style doesn't raise the watch head perceptibly. The folds at the back keep the whole thing from having that "man bun" look of the standard configuration. And here is another thing that they don't teach you in watch strap school: NATOs work best on small watches. Yes, they were designed for 32mm watch cases and work best on vintage sizes. Put one on a modern Tudor with its 15mm height and you have "slab-o-watch." No thank you.
So, you are telling me that I can get a product that does not solve the rare, but real, spring bar failure problem and yet puts a ungainly and unsightly fold of fabric on the side of my watch, in fact requires such an ugly knot? Where do I sign up for none?
(Scaramanga ride or die.)
Ok, I will tell you, @Mr.Dee.Bater, just you, a secret: I don't much care for NATO straps. I wear a few, @Scaramanga style (folds in the back, not side). I never do a double pass under a watch head, that's just stupid. The Scaramanga style doesn't raise the watch head perceptibly. The folds at the back keep the whole thing from having that "man bun" look of the standard configuration. And here is another thing that they don't teach you in watch strap school: NATOs work best on small watches. Yes, they were designed for 32mm watch cases and work best on vintage sizes. Put one on a modern Tudor with its 15mm height and you have "slab-o-watch." No thank you.
So, you are telling me that I can get a product that does not solve the rare, but real, spring bar failure problem and yet puts a ungainly and unsightly fold of fabric on the side of my watch, in fact requires such an ugly knot? Where do I sign up for none?
(Scaramanga ride or die.)
What is "Scaramanga"???
I'm afraid to google it, in case it's NSFW! Is there a YouTube video that shows how to make Nato straps do this?
"They make your watch sit high and floppy off your wrist" Huh? We need to institute the Mr.Dee.Bater wrist strengthening program stat!
BTW impressive strap collection...a little leather heavy maybe 😀
NATO: When you need to make your watch look stupid and cheap and you can't be arsed to invest too much effort.
What is "Scaramanga"???
I'm afraid to google it, in case it's NSFW! Is there a YouTube video that shows how to make Nato straps do this?
Scaramanga was a veteran of many forums and had many high end watches and straps. He was early to WC but ghosted (like Roberto). His preferred use of the NATO was a single pass like this:
Hey man! Yeah, I guess it makes a big difference the type of material as to how well it conforms to the wrist!
With the Zero Pass, I think you're right. There is only one way to wear it, so there isn't any adjusting of the hardware.
Yep, it does make a big difference. Not all natos are created equal. You will be surprised to know that the natos I mentioned earlier just cost between $5-10 each, beating more popular branded natos price-wise, while matching their excellent quality... just like your recommended Delugs option in Hoasavn by @huynguyenstrap. ;)
Add to this, I second all the comments of @Aurelian re. how to properly wear one, how it was originally designed for smaller watches, and that the zero pass still shows that awkward looking "bun" on the side. 😉 But hey, if one pass is still one pass too many for you, no worries. Go enjoy your collection with the straps you love.
My favourite man in wc. Finally a new post
You kill me @Mr.Dee.Bater - the you’ve confused me for bad ass Delta Black Hawk down guy for the marrying a pillow guy. 😂😂- still laughing.
My favourite man in wc. Finally a new post
You kill me @Mr.Dee.Bater - the you’ve confused me for bad ass Delta Black Hawk down guy for the marrying a pillow guy. 😂😂- still laughing.
Ha! Thank you! I really do appreciate it!
Very entertaining!
But I dislike NATO’s 👎🏻
Literally the most straps I’ve ever seen in one place at one time.
Sometimes all you need is a new set of wheels.. or strap.
Meh, I don't hate Nato straps. They are what they are, a piece of military kit meant to be functional, not fashionable.
Now, working on the NATO HQ staff, that I hated. Don't get me wrong, loved working with NATO partners, but hated working on a NATO staff. IYKYK, lol
Meh, I don't hate Nato straps. They are what they are, a piece of military kit meant to be functional, not fashionable.
Now, working on the NATO HQ staff, that I hated. Don't get me wrong, loved working with NATO partners, but hated working on a NATO staff. IYKYK, lol
Is this your assessment?
Is this your assessment?
Scum and villainy, no. Bureaucratic jackassery, yes. Plenty of folks I'd share a foxhole with, so to speak. But getting simple sh!t done always seemed to be more of a PITA than it needed to be. To be fair, my own service was pretty good at making getting simple sh!t done far harder than it needed to be too, so there's that. Such is life on a HQ staff.
... errr say what? if i read you correctly, and i think i do, what you want is a calendar attachment to your watch band.
here's one: https://www.etsy.com/listing/1566240948/watchband-calendar-oval-shape-year-2024?click_key=d4082d9e052824bc2fbf599dc2b52a3bc688b048%3A1566240948&click_sum=4756e5db&external=1&rec_type=ss&ref=landingpage_similar_listing_top-1&frs=1
you're welcome.
You kept me going to the end … not easy!
Thanks for the Delugs *replacement suggestion. I followed @huynguyenstrap !
👊🏻👊🏻
I'm here. Ready to receive any requests from you 😂
Very entertaining to see your interest in straps. Here’s another one that is worth looking into. Horween leather and g hook. Custom length single pass is made in Duluth MN
Apologies for all those photos and really not sure how to delete them.
Apologies for all those photos and really not sure how to delete them.
No need to delete! They’re great photos!