I’ll surrender - Nato is not for me

I'm with you, Per, I'm not a fan. Just doesn't feel right on my wrist.

I’m with ya. I like the idea of a nato but every time I swap one on and try it out it just feels off the whole time for me. Bracelet or nothing for me. I can’t explain why.

Kinda feels the same, I just can’t pull it off an d I don’t like the extra bulk on some …

Thankfully I’m not alone. Never liked the aesthetics of a nato and never wore one for longer than 3 mins.

im with you man, im having one nato just for the variation of the collection. but in my heart im bracelet and leather fan

I only have one on in rotation now. I don't like the conventional top knot, but even the alternative is my least favorite option. I have a drawer of NATOs that I may never use.

I keep my khaki field on Nato. That combo I actually like but primarily it’s because of the long lugs.

I will keep mine. Maybe they occasionally see some daylight. When I suddenly feel it’s time have some change again. But will probably go right back again.

Have you tried wearing a single-strap nato so that the extra strap length and buckles are underneath your wrist (as opposed to on the side of the wrist) - i.e. by lowering the placement of the watch head so that it is closer to the holes? I used to feel the same way about natos, hating the extra straps/buckles on the side of the wrist, but once I wore them this way, it made them so much more comfortable.

I'm with you. NATO's just don't feel right to me. They will be occasional wear but not a long term thing for any watch I presently own.

Thank you for the tip. I imagine I have tested all variants. If I know myself I will have another go after watching a number of stunning photos.

Probably same here. I will most certainly have a go occasionally. It’s maybe just as @Aurelian describes it for me also. The least favourable option of the ones available.

I feel the same, I’m more of a bracelet guy. The occasional rubber or leather strap is great too

I can't imagine I'm telling you anything you don't know, but have you tried Erika's Originals MN straps? The material feel is comparable but I find the fit is much improved and there is much less material bunching up or creating additional thickness on wrist...

I'm not a fan of the colorful NATOs, or the look of folding the excess strap back into itself as it can look kinda Boy-Scoutish. But a simple neutral colored single pass-thru NATO on a Field watch looks the best to me.

That CW on the "modern Bond" colorway is killer dude.

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Well done sir👍

Love the treaty organization, hate their straps.

I'm not a fan of NATO straps. I had enough army crap thrown at me to make me an expert at identifying it, as I spent close to 6 years in my life wearing an uniform and NATO straps are the epitome of army crap. Cheap looking, cheap feeling, unnecessary bulky and messy. They are the surest and fastest way to insta-cheap the look of any watch.

They are not even used by soldiers, it's like a pseudo-military trope that took life on its own. You want to wear a watch like a real soldier in the field? forget the strap and cover your watch with a sweatband.

@YourIntruder Try Erika style band as it provides an alternative to NATOs. I have both. Erika style straps and Ali Express have plenty of 100% clones very cheap and made from the same parachute elastic material as Erika ones. It took me a while to get used to them and master the technique of setting them, fastening them and taking them off the lugs as well as wrist. I am beginning to like them more and more as I wear them.

Thank you! I look into them👍

"Cheap looking, cheap feeling, unnecessary bulky and messy."

I agree totally! When I was getting back into watches a few years ago, all I heard about was the cool-factor of NATO straps. So I got a couple. After trying them out, they basically sit in a drawer. I don't get the fascination! All I quoted above is true...AND they don't fit well - at least for me.

Looks like a ribbed nato in the image. Have you tried a selection?

Because I'd offer that I don't particularly like ribbed nato's myself. I'm not big on the really silky, floppy seatbelt natos, either. But some natos I love. So there are variations even within natos.

It’s a ribbed Nato fur sure. From CNS. I have tried a few materials but like you I’m not fond of silky ones. For me it’s not only the material but also the concept. However, I guess I will test some new Natos in the future. The one I’m pleased with is for a field watch. I also like the canvas strap I have for my Chronostop but prefer leather.

Mainly a bracelet guy, have had the same experience with natos, too much bulk and faff, landed on marine national stretch straps for anything I feel doesn't belong on a bracelet

I’m not that experienced outside leather straps and bracelets and standard natos (single and double pass). I will look up marine national.

Similar look to the nato but thinner, easily adjusted and elasticated so very comfortable and a lower profile on the wrist also referred to as French parachute straps. I get cheapies off ebay but 'Erikas originals' are meant to be great quality, happy hunting 👍

Thanks! The Dartmouth MK1 was made for NATO straps being less than 12 mm thick. I think they took a step back with the MK2 giving it the Aquitaine treatment.

Thank you👍