20mm or 22mm Nato for a 21mm watch?
I just scored this 98A244 for a really good price. I don't love rubber straps, and I GIMP'ed the image on the right to see what it would look like on a blue Nato with gold hardware. I'm having a heck of a time finding that color combination in 21mm. Anybody have any advice? I've found both 20mm and 22mm in the right colors. I don't want to go down to 20mm, because I don't like thin straps. I'm afraid to buy 22mm and have it rub the case. You think it'd be alright to squeeze it in there? I'd use 21mm spring bars either way of course.
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Bradley
Watch modder. Cheapskate. Pragmatist.
Show Low, AZ US
Member since
Last active: 6 days ago
7.37” / 18.72 cm
More from bradleypariah
Do you have to intentionally buy the wrong one? Tons of places sell 21mm natos (strapcode, watchgecko, etc), not to mention the countless available on Etsy and Amazon. I know it can be a pain to find the right one, but I bet you could.
Do you have to intentionally buy the wrong one? Tons of places sell 21mm natos (strapcode, watchgecko, etc), not to mention the countless available on Etsy and Amazon. I know it can be a pain to find the right one, but I bet you could.
You might be surprised how hard it is to find a 21mm blue nato strap with gold hardware.
Amazon is absolutely frustrating, because it completely ignores the "21mm" part. I've looked through pages upon pages, and I keep finding blue straps with gold hardware, but they're only in 20 or 22.
Etsy's not much better. It'll ignore your color search, and just show you all kinds of things, usually with terrible prices.
Both StrapCode and WatchGecko have blue straps, but not with gold hardware in any size.
NatoStrapCo ironically doesn't even sell 21mm at all. You would think someone who specializes only in Nato straps would carry all kinds of them. Nope.
AliExpress - tons of blue straps with gold hardware, but they're 20mm or 22mm.
Esprit-Nato has one. 22mm.
Crown & Buckle has 21mm blue Nato straps... with silver hardware.
In fact, if you Google "21mm blue nato strap with gold hardware," there is only one single image result of an actual blue nato strap with gold hardware, and if you follow the link, it's to a UK shop that only sells 20mm and 22mm.
I've been on eBay, Walmart, ZuluDiver, WaterJewelers, Google Shopping, Bing Shopping, Holbens, Hirsch Straps, Barton Watch Bands, CNS Watch Bands, Watch Obsession, Strapify, StrapHabit, Total Watch Repair, TechSwiss, Milano Straps, Watchbandcenter, Natos.com, Geckota, NYwatchStore, Taikonaut...
You getting bored of reading this yet? LOL Imagine my position! 😂 😭
I'm not implying I looked EVERYWHERE, and I would absolutely LOVE to be proven wrong here, but I've been scrolling sites for about six hours now. If you have any other suggestions, I am absolutely all ears.
It'll fit with a 22mm. The only part of the case it will rub won't be visible when worn.
If you want to get froggy with it, find out where on the 22mm strap you want it to rest, then use a hot kife, something sharp and notch it. Then run the cut portion thru a flame to seal it.
One other option would be to look for elastic style MN straps with gold hardware.
While not gold, it'll match enough. Color is trident.
Edit: Forgot to say this was Erika's Originals website
You might be surprised how hard it is to find a 21mm blue nato strap with gold hardware.
Amazon is absolutely frustrating, because it completely ignores the "21mm" part. I've looked through pages upon pages, and I keep finding blue straps with gold hardware, but they're only in 20 or 22.
Etsy's not much better. It'll ignore your color search, and just show you all kinds of things, usually with terrible prices.
Both StrapCode and WatchGecko have blue straps, but not with gold hardware in any size.
NatoStrapCo ironically doesn't even sell 21mm at all. You would think someone who specializes only in Nato straps would carry all kinds of them. Nope.
AliExpress - tons of blue straps with gold hardware, but they're 20mm or 22mm.
Esprit-Nato has one. 22mm.
Crown & Buckle has 21mm blue Nato straps... with silver hardware.
In fact, if you Google "21mm blue nato strap with gold hardware," there is only one single image result of an actual blue nato strap with gold hardware, and if you follow the link, it's to a UK shop that only sells 20mm and 22mm.
I've been on eBay, Walmart, ZuluDiver, WaterJewelers, Google Shopping, Bing Shopping, Holbens, Hirsch Straps, Barton Watch Bands, CNS Watch Bands, Watch Obsession, Strapify, StrapHabit, Total Watch Repair, TechSwiss, Milano Straps, Watchbandcenter, Natos.com, Geckota, NYwatchStore, Taikonaut...
You getting bored of reading this yet? LOL Imagine my position! 😂 😭
I'm not implying I looked EVERYWHERE, and I would absolutely LOVE to be proven wrong here, but I've been scrolling sites for about six hours now. If you have any other suggestions, I am absolutely all ears.
I hear you! I often research straps before buying watches, not so much natos, but certainly everything else. I have seen plenty of 21MM natos, but I do trust you that the bronze hardware could be a challenge. I usually default to etsy for stuff like that because many can custom-make it, but yeah, you are right none seem to offer in 21mm. Thoughts on Erika's original? They can make a 21 with bronze hardware. A little pricy, but you will get a great quality strap.
While not gold, it'll match enough. Color is trident.
Edit: Forgot to say this was Erika's Originals website
I think I'm going to follow the poll's advice, and try to fit a cheap 22mm. Ali has them for like $4. That strap from Erika's looks great, but it literally costs twice what the watch did. If the 22 doesn't fit, perhaps I'll bite the bullet.
Thank you, btw! I hadn't heard of that site.
I use both on my 21mm Seamaster, both work ok but the 22 does fit better, so I'd recommend 22mm 👍🏻
Here it is, if anyone was curious. 22mm.