My favorite strap, a love story
Since June of 2021 I've been wearing this amazing strap, and I think it's time to let you all in on the secret.
When someone mentions stretchy straps or MN style straps, the default response is Erika's, maybe NDC straps. While they're great and have some historical significance, I think they're losing out to the more modern takes on the design. Enter Nick Mankey Designs from California, with beautifully handcrafter straps made to order.
What's unique about these straps is the design and hardware. The traditional MN style strap wrap around the wrist and use a sometimes finicky buckle that attaches to a metal keeper. The NMD hook strap gives you a hook that attaches to the fabric itself, which I think is easier. However, the pièce de résistance is the way it attaches, which allows the watch head to sit flat on your wrist. That means you can enjoy the thinness of your watch and not build any bulk!
Finally, the fabric is top notch. It's stretchy and soft, and it's by far my most comfortable strap. My 16570 (pictured above on a motorcycle camping trip) practically lives on this strap, and the design goes well with the ruggedness of the watch. I'll swap it for the bracelet occasionally, but I'm always coming back to this strap. It's so comfortable that I've ordered a few more for various lug widths and in different colors.
If I had to point out a negative, it would be the lead time. Since it's made to order with your choice of color, stitch color, hardware finishes and size, you'll have to wait quite a few weeks. That being said, the wait is so worth it!
Have you tried a NMD strap, or have you ever found another strap that totally blew your mind?
I have a Nick Manley. Its a great strap and I'm a huge fan. Comfortable, easy to adjust, and doesn't add any thickness to the watch. The price is also more affordable. The one downside, other to than the 2 month wait, is the website has too many options. It took me a few days to pull the trigger because I kept looking at different thread options with the different color straps. I think he would make it easier on himself and others if he had standard thread colors for the straps and you could request any color. It would keep me from over analyzing my thread color options.
I haven't tried a NMD, but I do have four Erika's straps, and before that I used various Timex Expedition cloth and velcro straps.
The reason I love the Erika's straps is that they retain the security of a NATO, without added bulk, or the inflexibility of fixed holes for sizing. I've rarely had a spring bar fail, but I have had it happen before. I also like having a thin layer of cloth under my watch on really cold days, steel can get cold even under a jacket cuff at -20.
That said, nothing beats the comfort of a completely adjustable cloth strap when using a tool watch.
I have an Erika's Original and absolutely love it. I believe it was through @Wrought that I first heard of Nick Mankey! I will definitely be looking into getting one and seeing the difference between the two!
I absolutely love my Nick Mankey strap. easily the most comfortable strap I’ve ever used! I got one a few months ago and I have another one on order. I LOVE that it doesn’t add a layer under the watch, although I understand the hesitation that some may have that it doesn’t have the security of a NATO Strap during a spring bar failure. For me, the day to day comfort, the fit, and the infinite adjustability of this strap outweigh those concerns.
the best thing is that no part of the metal touches your wrist and there is no metal on the outside capable of scratching furniture or your desk.
I ordered 2 of these at the beginning of the month and am really excited to get my hands on them. Not having a layer of fabric under the watch and not having metal rubbing on my desk were big reasons I chose it over an EO. Plus I got 2 for less than the cost of 1 EO!
Oh man these look good, I’ve been on the fence about Erika’s but looks like that’s for the best as these are what I’m really looking for. Thanks for sharing!
I have tried them all, and hands down Nicks are the best. Well worth the wait. Glad you like yours.
Just ordered two straps, the modern bond and the navy!
I got a Nick Mankey strap as part of a trade a while ago. This post is really making me want to try it on my Titoni Seascoper. However, I think I'm going to have to watch a few "how to" videos, as I may be too stupid to figure out how to use it without it.
Looks great in the pictures in this tread and looks equally comfy...
Just caught wind of this fantastic community, and this post in particular! Thank you so much for the incredibly kind words. And I really appreciate all of the feedback in the comments.
The more obvious pain points all stem from the deep level of customization and only two hands to make them all. This is my #1 goal this year, and so far I am getting that lead time down further and further. There are of course other huge developments in the works, but it's tricky to announce more of the "latest and greatest" when there are hundreds of very patient customers to attend to first.🙂 A fine balance to strike no doubt! But you're all worth it. 👍
I have an Erika's and Mankey and a Strap Steward. The Erika's failed after 2 years, lost all elasticity, and they replied with "that's to be expected." Both the Mankey and Strap Steward continue to wear well, almost like new after same time. And for half the price!
I just wanted to revive this thread again as I got my @nickmankeydesigns Hook strap in the mail that I ordered a couple months ago. I love these straps and am glad to have another color to use with my DS30. I’ll probably order another one in a couple days - future me will be very pleased when it arrives later this summer!
I have a Nick Manley. Its a great strap and I'm a huge fan. Comfortable, easy to adjust, and doesn't add any thickness to the watch. The price is also more affordable. The one downside, other to than the 2 month wait, is the website has too many options. It took me a few days to pull the trigger because I kept looking at different thread options with the different color straps. I think he would make it easier on himself and others if he had standard thread colors for the straps and you could request any color. It would keep me from over analyzing my thread color options.
Great idea! I will take this into consideration. But just so I understand, you mean that a choice of elastic color will default to a matching stitching color, unless otherwise requested?
I absolutely love my Nick Mankey strap. easily the most comfortable strap I’ve ever used! I got one a few months ago and I have another one on order. I LOVE that it doesn’t add a layer under the watch, although I understand the hesitation that some may have that it doesn’t have the security of a NATO Strap during a spring bar failure. For me, the day to day comfort, the fit, and the infinite adjustability of this strap outweigh those concerns.
the best thing is that no part of the metal touches your wrist and there is no metal on the outside capable of scratching furniture or your desk.
Killer combo! And thanks for sharing your thoughts! I maintain that elastic is far less likely to induce a spring bar failure due to not being as rigid as an ordinary NATO. 😉
I just wanted to revive this thread again as I got my @nickmankeydesigns Hook strap in the mail that I ordered a couple months ago. I love these straps and am glad to have another color to use with my DS30. I’ll probably order another one in a couple days - future me will be very pleased when it arrives later this summer!
Great call on the Burgundy! Thanks for sharing 👍
Great call on the Burgundy! Thanks for sharing 👍
Thanks, Nick! It’s a cool color, so thanks for adding it to your list of options. Will be a great color for summer!
Great idea! I will take this into consideration. But just so I understand, you mean that a choice of elastic color will default to a matching stitching color, unless otherwise requested?
Yes, that's what I'm talking about. Love the straps!
I think it’s time again to keep this thread fresh. I now have a Nick Mankey on my Citizen Classic. This watch is a quartz EcoDrive, but quite thick and heavy nonetheless. The origional bracelet just didn’t work for me. Now it’s on a 22mm NM “New Bond”. Totally different watch now. There is a learning curve in how to wear and adjust the strap, but once you have the hang of it, there’s lot’s of advantages. Overall much better than a traditional NATO: there‘s no strap under the watch, so no increase in thickness and you can still see the display back if your watch has one; all of the metal connectors are well protected and don’t catch on anything; and the strap material is very high quality. Overall NM straps are on my short list of replacement straps that have the look and feel of quality, while also being useful and comfortable. I have 2 now, likely more to come for me.
Old post, but I am new to this strap. The way it is rigged, if you break a spring bar your watch is gone?