Marine Nationale Straps

I avoid this problem by using bracelets. No worries about stains, smells, or general wear.

I must have missed the post, or figured people were sick of hearing me preach from the Book of MN.

I have five Erika's straps, and find them to be by far the most comfortable way to wear a watch. Because the Erika's straps are stiffer than the less expensive versions, they easily handle the weight of a large watch like a GSAR. They also make a lighter/thinner watch like a DS30 disappear on the wrist.

You just end up with the problem of a scratchy, cold, uncomfortable chunk of metal banging around scratching things and wearing out clothing.

https://www.cwcwatch.com/products/military-utility-watch-strap?_pos=1&_sid=ad54c4152&_ss=r

One of these days I'm gonna actually order one of these. It would be nice to see if this buckle would work on elastic.

The Zuludiver Octopod is another that comes to mind. A kind of MN, diver clasp combo.

All have trade-offs. But I do have some of my digital ABCs permanently mounted on an MN strap.

I’ve been put off by the price of Erica’s and NDC’s offerings. But the $30 MN I had on my Flightmaster would work loose over the course of the day and the hook would fall out of the clasp if i wasn’t taking preventative measures.

So I’m sure the E/NDC fans would say “ours don’t do that.”

But still, that’s a lot for elastic.

And subjectively, I tired of the look.

I have one so far. Its really comfortable

I have a $20 Amazon MN strap, and it's pretty much exactly as you describe yours. Fortunately I bought an Erika's before the Amazon one, so my opinion of the style of strap wasn't tainted by a bad experience.

Erika's straps are pricey, but they make their own strap material, so I get the costs. I totally get the looks thing too, they aren't going to appeal to everybody.

The CWC straps looks interesting, please post a review if you do purchase one.

I can’t afford Erika’s but I get MN straps whenever I like the design because they are By Far the most comfortable strap I have ever used. I wear all kinds of bracelets, leather, natos, and single passes but I adore the hook on the MN and elastic fabric.

Cheapestnatostraps.com is a life send for me

Ahem, it's Francaise so it's Nationale.

I have no experience with these because they are inexplicably and obscenely expensive and everyone says copies are totally inferior. The buckle or clip (closure?) seems like it challenges one not to drop the watch while attempting to don. The color options are underwhelming. My opinion lacks experience. I'll have to pony up the bucks one day, but it looks like underwear elastic that should cost less than a movie.

Recent convert here! I’ve always been meh about NATOs, don’t really gel with them. But when I got my Flightmaster the previous owner included an MN strap and I was blown away. Even bought one for my Lunar Pilot 👍

“Nationale” Noted and corrected. Thank you for pointing out the misspelling 😁

Where did you buy those? I may need to pick one up for my Speedy! I have a ZuluDiver elastic NATO that I like but it’s already starting to fray at the buckle holes and at the end.

I must have missed this discussion. I'm a big fan of both NATOs and ZULUs. I don't have a problem with excessive strap length due to the size of my wrist. But I've not heard of Marine Nationale straps. The concept looks interesting. I'm going to buy a couple and try them out.

I own both NDC and Erika's Originals MN style straps. The Erika's are superior to the NDC both in comfort and ease of fitting them. One of their strap also redeemed a watch that was almost binned due to the terrible strap it came with originally.

I also had some mails exchanged with Erika because she contacted me on her own initiative to discuss a potential problem with one of my orders. This is the kind of commitment to customer service that you don't see everywhere and therefore Erika's are now my go to brand when I need a strap.

Absolutely agree :)

Erika's offers straps made from surplus straps as well, but even she says the in-house straps are better because they are made to size, from material woven to be a great watch strap.

I have enough military issued crap laying around to know that there is nothing magical about issued kit. Pretty much every military person goes out of their way to buy better kit with their own money when/where they can.

I was surprised that no one mentioned the Marine Nationale type straps which are also a single pass but made of elastic and fastens with a metal hook type clasp.

See the paratrooper straps at CNS that I wrote about recently. A snip at $5.95 each.

https://www.watchcrunch.com/complication/posts/paratrooper-straps-by-cns-32049

They are an even more basic take on an MN and, I believe, actually perfect the idea.

Yes you're right, I believe the NDCs are all 21mm which isn't a huge deal since the straps are so malleable but im sure the quality on Erika's are better.

I own three Erica's, and have worn them for years without any problems. For me, NDC is something different, a little more industrial and smacks of authenticity. I own two and they are, by far, my most-often worn straps on my field watches (despite being 21mm). Each to his own... either way, you cant go wrong.

If topic, it is the first Phoibus watch I really like.Straps look of high quality,I’ll try one.Where do you recommend purchasing?

Tried an Erica's Original, didn't like it. Didn't like the look & didn't find it particularly comfortable. I'm 99% NATO since the 90's, so it's probably just what I'm used to. Don't mind an elasticated NATO or a Velcro strap tho.

I have about (really must count them up!) Erika’s in both 20 and 22 I have used them on everything from Bremonts to Speedies to G Shocks. They are, for me, the most comfortable straps available. They are expensive, but when you buy them you know why. I have also got a Sinn on a 2 piece UTE Nato that is really comfortable. Good to have loads of options.

mn straps are the best for heavy watchheads! i prefer them over everything (natos, singlepass natos, rubbers...). just the best and most comfortable fit

Love my NDC strap very comfortable to wear all day on my casio duro. Never comes loose 👌

I think CWC has something for you.

https://www.cwcwatch.com/collections/cwc-straps-accessories/products/cwc-stretch-watch-strap

I have some NATO and also some MN straps and I like each for different reasons. I have had great success ordering from https://cnswatchbands.com/ but there are many places and lots of offerings beyond this.

Ooo marvelous, thank you. 😁👍👍

For me the MN strap has its closure leaning on the watch so I don't scratch my laptop. Superior utility!