A Love Letter to the NATO Strap
It seems to me that there are more critics of NATO straps than there are enjoyers of them. I commonly hear critiques such as flimsiness, the added thickness underneath the case, and the awkward extra-length foldover. But I'm here to tell you that NATOs have been the new wave in watch styling and customization, and how a little nylon strap can go a long way
I'm sure for a lot of us our first exposure to the NATO strap was on James Bond's 6538 Submariner. It was commonly depicted as being too small for the watch but lent itself as a key accessory to his dive kit, by being able to wrap it outside of his wet suit that also contained his tuxedo. Those scenes showed that a utilitarian/casual strap can be paired with formal wear and still be complementary to one another.
But technically this was not considered a NATO strap, but rather an RAF-style strap that had a folded keeper to barely hold in the extra length. The modern NATO strap would not debut until the 1970s, and would be made of low-quality nylon that tended to fray.
The next big moment for the NATO strap was the Omega Spectre watch. Now for transparency, the Spectre was my first big luxury watch purchase and it has influenced the rest of my collection, so I admit my biases here.
After the Spectre was released, Omega unveiled their complete line of premium NATO straps that cost around $200, compared to the usual $20 found on Amazon. But it is super hard to convey, especially in writing, just how much better the Omega NATOs are compared to the rest of the industry.
Again, in the Spectre film, James Bond wears a white tuxedo with the black and grey NATO watch and it does not look out of place. After Omega's line of NATOs was released, it became more commonplace for other high-end watch brands to pair their sport or dressier watches with a quality nylon strap.
Omega then released an international flag series of NATO straps in honor of the 2018 Olympics. Some of the color designs are questionable, but a lot of them work and are also recognizable enough as their respective country's flags.
There are also numerous styles of nylon/NATO straps that could be suited to your personal preference of fitting such as the G10, the Zulu, the RAF-style, single-pass, and IVA. These splashes of colors and bold lines can break up the monotony of basic leather straps and boring metal bracelets.
Omega also recently released its Summer Blue collection of watches and straps, which includes a few NATOs that are quite stunning. This blue Bond style NATO would pair great with the Diver 300M Professional in the same color.
In all honestly, the "extra" length of a NATO isn't all that bad as some make it out to be. I have relatively thin wrists and usually the excess length that I need to tuck in usually never exceeds 2-3cm with a floating keeper that helps it stay firmly in place.
Hopefully, I have conveyed my ever-dying love for these long and versatile pieces of nylon that are as stylishly flexible as your dad's old belts. What do you guys think of NATOs?
Collecting and writing from a Gen Z perspective. Speedmaster nerd and all things Omega 🚀.
They are really good at insta-cheaping the look of any watch.
They’re functional and fun. It works for casual occasions don’t have the swag to wear it with a tuxedo or a suit.
I enjoy them on certain watches. Large watches with small lug widths doesn't work. Exhibition casebacks generally don't work. Works well on quartz watches due to them being thinner but again got to be the right balance between lug width and watch diameter.
The Casio from #watchjourney2023 on a Scottish nato. Lug adapters had to be used to increase from 18mm to 22mm. Looked wrong and felt wrong on the wrist on the 18 but works perfectly on the 22
I use them a lot to be honest. Very practical and, for me, one of the best options for summer. Thanks for the great post.
Very practical and affordable. In terms of looks i think it does fit with field watch type only
They are really good at insta-cheaping the look of any watch.
I firmly disagree with the examples I provided but everyone is entitled to their opinions
Nato straps are super popular. I'm not sure where this, "there are more critics of NATO straps than there are enjoyers of them..." thing came from. I've never sensed that (or even anything close to that), despite being in watches a long, long time. Be honest... did you just make that up to give your post structure?
Nato straps are super popular. I'm not sure where this, "there are more critics of NATO straps than there are enjoyers of them..." thing came from. I've never sensed that (or even anything close to that), despite being in watches a long, long time. Be honest... did you just make that up to give your post structure?
I have personally experienced a lot of elitism online when I post about my watches with nato straps. I admit that it is confirmation bias, but the argument being made is that one should invest in a high quality nato
I have personally experienced a lot of elitism online when I post about my watches with nato straps. I admit that it is confirmation bias, but the argument being made is that one should invest in a high quality nato
I think it's absolutely confirmation bias. To the point at hand, however, I would note that you don't even have to go that up market to have an astounding difference in nato quality. Anyone shopping at Cheapest Nato Straps out of Sweden will know what I mean when I talk about the difference between their bog standard straps and their Deluxe and Premium straps. It's night and day and, despite only paying $10-$12 for those, they are light years ahead of anything you'll get for cheap on eBay or indeed, from Cheapest Nato Straps own lower strap tiers. Well worth anyone exploring before spending ridiculous money.
Great write up.
I recently started experimenting with nato straps again having been put off it at first from buying poor quality natos.
So this time I spent more to get a premium feel on the natos, and that helped immensely. I find that chaniging straps on my watches in new materials snd colors help extend the enjoyment that I get out of these timekeeping machines :)
I enjoy them on certain watches. Large watches with small lug widths doesn't work. Exhibition casebacks generally don't work. Works well on quartz watches due to them being thinner but again got to be the right balance between lug width and watch diameter.
The Casio from #watchjourney2023 on a Scottish nato. Lug adapters had to be used to increase from 18mm to 22mm. Looked wrong and felt wrong on the wrist on the 18 but works perfectly on the 22
Yup. Agree with that. I like them as long as the watch is sub 40mm and not too tall. And because they're cheap and cheerful, they're a reminder not to take this silly, dumb-ass watch hobby too seriously.
Wow, that was quite the mini-article. I thoroughly enjoyed the read. I throw my watch on a NATO strap every once in a while, it’s quite a fun mix up to my usual daily mesh bracelet
An excellent example. Barton's are... what? About $20? The kind of price that the OP would presumably pooh-pooh, given they even cite '$20 Amazon straps', but Barton elite straps are really awesome.
I’ve had plenty of confortable natos, the best being from my Seiko SRPG, I used that strap on everything. I could never get used to the seat belt “luxury” nato straps, too think, too slidey and too shiny.
Now I typically use natos direct from CWC, not as comfortable but they last for years. The single pass nato is my preferred.
Nice piece of writing @pay2huynh . I always felt a bit ‘meh’ about NATOs but have come to appreciate them, probably out of respect for their historical use in the military more than anything else. Nor have I been a particularly big dive watch fan (which seems an odd thing to admit in this community I know… and I’m not a diver so never saw the point 😂) but again, as my watch journey continues, my appreciation is growing!
Thanks for the post. Really interesting.
And that Omega Spectre, on that black and grey nato… now that’s a handsome watch!
One other problem with NATOs is that the make the watch bulky and it doesn't look good on people with smaller wrists
I’m certainly a nato fan.
The 1918 also has fixed/wire lugs so it has to be worn on a nato, however I also have nato straps on most of my watches with spring bars.
I do a lot of active stuff, and I don’t really trust springbars as I’ve had a few fail.
Excuse the general murkiness, the photo was taken underwater.
I find them attractive and comfortable. I like that they pull the metal off my skin. It flattens and centers the watch. I don't understand the hate
Sold my tuxedo to buy more NATOs.
+1 for NATO's from me. Having served both in the military and police I can assert that NATOs are the ducks nutz they’re hardwearing, practical and safe. Now I caveat that with this - Quality NATOs not cheap fray monsters made from onion bag material. Omega NATOs are very nice but overpriced. As others have said premium NATOs from Barton, Sydney Strap Co, Zuludiver are good quality, tough and long lasting. NATOs are a fantastic way to change up your watch and give it a new aesthetic. I have dozens for that very purpose, to 'jaz up' a watch. Also whilst bracelets are nice they get banged up super quick with scratches and grazes. Something a NATO wont. I really love the Seiko Seichu NATOs that come with some of the divers, uber premo, I only wish they did a single pass version. NATOs are great - cool in the heat, neutral in the snow, offer great safety for your watch - love em!
I firmly disagree with the examples I provided but everyone is entitled to their opinions
Well, you did ask for what we though about them.
Some of these comments have me in tears lol. Variety is the spice of life friends. I enjoy NATOs on all my watches as well as bracelets, leather, canvas, etc… it’s the beauty of this hobby. Something for everyone.
I’m certainly a nato fan.
The 1918 also has fixed/wire lugs so it has to be worn on a nato, however I also have nato straps on most of my watches with spring bars.
I do a lot of active stuff, and I don’t really trust springbars as I’ve had a few fail.
Excuse the general murkiness, the photo was taken underwater.
How DARE you sir! What about the dynamic pressure? Your watch isn't even rated to 500m!
I think it's absolutely confirmation bias. To the point at hand, however, I would note that you don't even have to go that up market to have an astounding difference in nato quality. Anyone shopping at Cheapest Nato Straps out of Sweden will know what I mean when I talk about the difference between their bog standard straps and their Deluxe and Premium straps. It's night and day and, despite only paying $10-$12 for those, they are light years ahead of anything you'll get for cheap on eBay or indeed, from Cheapest Nato Straps own lower strap tiers. Well worth anyone exploring before spending ridiculous money.
Agreed.
The amazing "Tudor" style straps, Tudor sells for $200 plus (I think🤔) can be had for less that $50 from Crown and Buckle. Their Chevron adjustable is amazing.
And even though CNS, Clockwork Synergy, et al sell the Chinese variant, the C&B is actually better woven, and the QC, finish of the hardware, and small curve to the buckle justify paying more.
I do have several single pass style straps that are above $100US, from Zulu Alpha. For me, they are worth the price point.
Handmade, local sourced, some proceeds go to veterans causes, sewn in or screw-in hardware, infinitely adjustable or massive amounts of buckle holes, S/H, and they allow some pops of personalizing with the flags, etc.
Whenever I decide to pay the shipping, even the legit CWC and/or Phoenix ones direct from factory are going to cost markedly more per strap. Just due to shipping.
I’ve been pondering on trying out my first nato strap. Your well written and informative piece has pushed my decision along and give one a try.
Thank you🤝
When summer times arrives nato is the way on many of my watches. I personally would not spend alot for them. What I like is the amount of various combination I have depending on the watch the clothes I'll wear and the vibe I'm in. From dark classic tones black grey to bright flashy summery pool time they can serve for so many occasions. I like the cns ones and think that for my use they are perfect bang for buck!
When cold weather arrives I prefer metal or leather.
On some thinner smaller I like the extra thickness but I wear them one pass style for bigger ones.
I love NATOS!! Very practical and can really make a tool watch look badass
How DARE you sir! What about the dynamic pressure? Your watch isn't even rated to 500m!
The PloProf was in the repair shop 😅😅😅
Lovely post/essay. I can't explain why I like NATOs. Like a lot of things.
I love NATO straps! Super strong, easy to use and change and clean, durable, and I think they make ANY WATCH look good and unique! I love all the different colors to choose from, endless variety and fun!!