Hard to find love
I find it hard to love NATO straps. I know this probably relates back to horrible childhood experiences with rubber bands and quill pens but I can't warm to them.
To me, they are bulky, not particularly comfortable and don't look very pleasant. That longer length strap that you sort of push under itself doesn't help either.
I know that they are very popular on here, so I may seek therapy for this one. As long as the therapist doesn't wear a NATO.
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Munky1
I collect affordable watches and if possible, ones with some history behind them. I like Vostok and have three of their's. I have a one-handed, Luch watch from Belarus and a beautiful, English, Elliot...
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the therapy is called erikas original mn strap or crown & buckle chevron strap 🤙😎 you are welcome 😉
I don't like NATOs either. I have a small stack of them that live permanently in a drawer.
the therapy is called erikas original mn strap or crown & buckle chevron strap 🤙😎 you are welcome 😉
This! 100% this.
Get a good MN, or single lass strap and forget about basic NATO straps.
I now essentially only consider NATOs to test colours, before buying an Erika's MN.
You don't NEED to love Natos, but a good quality single pass is nice 👌
They are hideously overrated, but I must still ask two questions.
Nah, I’m just kidding, you’re alone. Single pass is great. Cheap and so many options, they can completely change the look of a watch without spending a ton of cash.
the therapy is called erikas original mn strap or crown & buckle chevron strap 🤙😎 you are welcome 😉
I was literally going to suggest these same two so I will just include photos of the MN and Chevron. The MN is the best at holding heavy cases securely to your wrist while being very comfy. Built to order to your wrist size. The Chevron is my favorite go-to single pass that is effortlessly comfy while looking like a step up from most nylon straps. They adjust so that the length is perfect. Both of these are single pass to help prevent the bulky feeling.
Downside of the MN is the high price (but man, are they sweet). Downside of the Chevron is not having one yet.
Agree with @Mike_2 with similar logic - the downside of the MN is I don’t have one yet, liking my Chevron a lot and a call out to Nick Mankey straps; there’s a waiting list for them 😟 and there’s a bit of a learning curve putting them on the first time 🤔, but once on they don’t add height and are super comfortable.
Speedy on Chevron:
Citizen perpetual calendar chrono on NM:
there is a a way to wear any nato as a single pass if you do it right. Videos on YouTube can show you how. This is how I wear mine now and it was a game changer.
I went for the NATO nylon look without the bulk:
2-piece zulu Bondy coloured with built in quick release springbars. On this watch I am more in danger of wearing out the springbar holes in the lugs than wearing out any band/strap I put on it.
I completely understand how you feel, I've tried to love NATO and other fabric straps for a long time. I've only recently started wearing almost all my watches in bracelets or rubber straps and I'm much happier that way
I have exactly one watch on a NATO, and only for the summer. I also don't wear it the conventional way. That's it on the Nato.
But most of the time, it's like this
I completely understand how you feel, I've tried to love NATO and other fabric straps for a long time. I've only recently started wearing almost all my watches in bracelets or rubber straps and I'm much happier that way
Unless it's got a great bracelet, I prefer mine on rubber...especially rubber straps that have deployants. Of my 13, seven are on rubber, four on bracelet, one on Nato and one on leather.
They are hideously overrated, but I must still ask two questions.
The quill pen issue is rooted deeply in my unconscious and therefore I cannot fully understand it but I am sure it changed everything.
I have tried various ways of tying up a NATO but none do it for me. My plan is to stick to rubber ones and to bracelets. I might revisit NATOs again when I am older.
I hate them on my wrist but they look good on some larger wrists in particular. For me a thin watch case is important so the last thing I want to do is add bulk.
haha i know what you mean. they work great for some watches, mainly the smaller watches that are 39mm and under with a short lug width. You should check out the company who makes Tudor's nato's they're really impressive, I think it's a french company from reading..
As someone with a hairy arm (well 2 actually) I have to find a very special kinda bracelet not to end up with an unintentional, and painful, "wrist Brazilian"... as such, NATOs are abundant in my collection.
However, it very much depends on the watch, and leather often looks better than a metal bracelet IMO. Having said that, have you considered the French Paratrooper-style of strap? I have a few on different pieces and they are very comfortable.
I agree with you.
i especially hate nato on heavy watch like divers
i am okay wearing single pass nato on lighter watch though like hamilton khaki mechanical
i think you should try single pass on lighter watch and see if you change your mind
or maybe like others have pointed out
2 pieces nato?
Not a Fan! I actually find them Annoying. If I want that look, I use a 2 piece nato, which is by far more comfortable as you don't have the extra layer between the watch and you wrist.
I 'm sorry I rather have the Nato than the metal link strap. I least the nato easy to chance. The metal for me depends since I have a small wrist most metal bands don't go well with me. Guess all depends on your wrist size as well.