NATO straps!

There is no ultimate strap. Different watches pair better with different straps. Eg. Field watches look good on NATO's. Divers look best on rubber/silicone or bracelet, I find if the head is too heavy on the diver the weight makes the NATO uncomfortable. All down to taste and preference of course.

Partially true!

Depends on the end user though, I'm a big fan because they're light, breath easy, peace of mind of not damaging a clasp and you can change them out quick. I miss a bracelet sometimes as well, so I go back and forth between NATO and a bracelet.

Not on my 6.5” wrist. 😂

Yes absolutely, but ....

As I've ranted before, most cloth straps sold as NATO's aren't true NATO's!!😱

The reason is they fail to meet with the most critical specification, NO POINT of failure - ie a sewn in buckle!! Most of these "fashion straps" completely negate the whole point of the design.

Even my very overpriced Omega Bond NATO...🤯

So I recommend Zuludiver from Watchgecko/Geckota or Phoenix (the OG) or at least check the pics properly before purchasing.

Yeah, I know this may be a bit anal, but the security of my beloved timepieces,as well as comfort and style is paramount to me .

Rant over 😂

For "best-est" (🤔) security I'll go Zulu Alpha all day, err day. Followed by single pass Watch Steward/ Erika's OG. Then my absolute beast of a strap collection. (Seriously three Haveston strap rolls full, plus outliers.) Fastest way to match your wardrobe, make a style statement is with a strap. Most are also cheap enough that I don't feel guilty asking for some when fam wants ideas for Bday, Christmas, etc.

Said this before, but if it wasn't gonna cost an arm and a leg to get in the US, I'd love to try the CWC Falkland strap.

And NATO/Elastic/Single pass stuff is mostly what I wear. I do have some Barton Tropic 2.0's for a Sea Quartz and two Seiko's. But the rest are strap watches.

I know the real deal issued have sewn-in buckles, but I haven't experienced a buckle failure yet....knock on wood.

I have had multiple bracelet/spring bar failures, so for anything that isn't screwed lugs (EB, Protrek) I've gone mostly straps.

Have you looked at Springmade? I don't own any yet, but they looked to be sewn-in, single pass, and infinitely adjustable.

Also Zulu Alpha. Pricey, but worth it.

Ooo no I haven't, thank you, I'll have a look 😁. Cheers 🍻

I am not a fan. I find them bulky and uncomfortable and I don't think they look good as to my eye they disrupt the watch case's natural lines, upset the balance between watch and strap, and raise the watch high off the wrist.

When I'm after something comfy and less delicate than leather I go for a two piece nylon strap as it doesn't have those issues for me. Or rubber or FKM.

All totally subjective - others love them and that's fine!

Never understood the hype around NATO straps. True, I never owned one, but in my mind a metal or leather strap is more sturdy and durable. Silicone/rubber bands on sport watches are fine too.

Wear what you like and what you enjoy but I do love NATO straps for both comfort and durability

Metal/Leather can be more sturdy. However when dealing with mud, muck, water (salt and fresh), you really want something quick drying. And then add in a possible spring bar failure, a single pass/NATO/Zulu/RAF strap is a better option IMO. They do make silicone and rubber variants.

Even in the days of fixed lugs watches, it was still the safer option, since most militaries didn't issue watches milled out of a single block due to cost, AFIAK. Could be wrong, not for sure.

So if a lug broke, while especially diving where your life depended on your watch, the watch head was still attached to your wrist. (Quite frankly a VERY terrifying thought TBH, your life saving timer is now swinging around and only attached by one bar....🤐😐)

So from a sheer function over form standard, durability, and ease of maintenance NATO straps were issued.

The reason why the came with that extra piece, was to help keep the watch head from sliding around and keep it centered. Today we are spoiled by having NATO style straps that are the same lug size as our watches. Back in the day you might have an 18/19/20/21 mm lug width and only a 16mm/18mm strap.

Which is why typically I cut that porion off. Less bulky, sits lower, ounces are pounds and all that.

Love a good Nato, but imo nothing can beat a Marine National strap like the ones from Erikas Originals and the likes 👍🏻

A NATO strap is also the fastest way to change the look of your watch. You can travel with one watch, bring several colors, materials, and textures of straps and go from outdoors, party central, high class in like 1.21 seconds.

For me, it comes down to the quality of the strap. I have seen a lot of cheap Nato straps online search. Spend the money on quality. That I can roll with.

It depends on the watch - and its intended use. I have one on a working ranch watch, but, other than that, I find them a little bulky and unattractive.

On a side note, what years were you at Sappy Valley!?

I was not a fan of Nato straps but never purchased/wore one until I decided to put my Omega Seamaster on a red/black Omega strap. Completely changes the look and feel of the watch! I will have to check out some of the recommendations in the comments(thanks). Feels great, looks great!

Thanks for the detailed explanation. I'll be honest, some of the things you mention never occurred to me. No shame in that, I've learned something new.

However, if such a scenario is not part of someone's daily life (not in the military,not a diver, not having to deal with mud, etc.) I do not see the point of someone wanting a NATO rather than metal/leather. Even so, I'd think that silicone/rubber is easier to clean. But then again, my lifestyle might not be that active. I don't dive, max I go jogging, riding a bike or camping. Nothing my rubber band Casio cannot handle. ☺

No worries at all. That's what so great about our common addiction, I mean hobby we share 😂!

There is additional bulk, regardless of how you trim down a NATO. If I am wearing suits, I too will go down to something on a bracelet or leather strap. It's just easier to slide under a cuff, period.

Just my .02¢, but even if you collect only G Shocks, one should still have something dressier. Same as IMO most dudes should have at least one suit, preferably two. (Start with a navy blue, then add charcoal/grey, since black suits during the day is weird unless it's a funeral, again YMMV 🤙🏻)

I don't know about ultimate but I really like NATO and Zulu straps on my divers and digitals. I even put one on my Casio field watch after the resin strap dry rotted.