NATO on a new Sub?

[oktapod]

Following on from yesterday's post asking about durable watches, I've decided to get a non-date Submariner.

I am thinking that I might put it on a NATO strap. Anyone do this? Any reasons not to (I will keep the original bracelet safe of course)?

Also, I know that it's meant to be really easy to remove the original bracelet, but is it just as easy to put it back on (should I, say, want to go back to 'stock' for whatever reason)?

Lastly, pics of Subs on NATO straps very welcome to inspire and whet the appetite...

ta.

[stevethegreek]

google is your friend...

[phil1979]

I'm not trolling here, but what is the appeal of the Nato strap? It seems to be the watch equivalent of UGG boots; seemingly cool, but look awful. What am I missing? Is it some sort of Bond connection that evades my desire?

[Hoofy]

phil1979 said:

I'm not trolling here, but what is the appeal of the Nato strap? It seems to be the watch equivalent of UGG boots; seemingly cool, but look awful. What am I missing? Is it some sort of Bond connection that evades my desire?

I never see soldiers wearing Ugg boots... I like the practical aspect of Nato straps - security, ease of changing, ease of washing. Ugg boots are warm but useless for everything else that practical boots are decent for.

Analogies are dangerous things.

As for Subs being durable things... bet they aren't.

[dustybottoms]

phil1979 said:

I'm not trolling here, but what is the appeal of the Nato strap? It seems to be the watch equivalent of UGG boots; seemingly cool, but look awful. What am I missing? Is it some sort of Bond connection that evades my desire?

I guess there are a lot of reasons:

Comfort is a big appeal especially in a hot climate

Subs have an historical Nato strap connection (both in fact and fiction) so it works on that level

Sub’s look pants on a leather strap IMHO so apart from the bracelet; what other option do Sub owners have?

I am always switching straps / bracelets on all my watches regularly, so a Sub on a Nato is a natural option to me.

Vintage Subs are tool watches, the perfect tool strap is a NATO.

They’re cheap and come in a variety of colours / designs allowing a mix and match approach which other watches have in leather strap options.

I think you either get it or you don’t (there is no right and wrong here); Vintage Subs look great on a Nato and I love wearing my 5513 on one.

[phil1979]

dustybottoms said:

I guess there are a lot of reasons:

Comfort is a big appeal especially in a hot climate

Subs have an historical Nato strap connection (both in fact and fiction) so it works on that level

Sub’s look pants on a leather strap IMHO so apart from the bracelet; what other option do Sub owners have?

I am always switching straps / bracelets on all my watches regularly, so a Sub on a Nato is a natural option to me.

Vintage Subs are tool watches, the perfect tool strap is a NATO.

They’re cheap and come in a variety of colours / designs allowing a mix and match approach which other watches have in leather strap options.

I think you either get it or you don’t (there is no right and wrong here); Vintage Subs look great on a Nato and I love wearing my 5513 on one.

Thanks for the replies above - and completely take the point about UGG boots. Perhaps a better analogy would be to buy an Aston Martin DB9, and then sling a set of Slot Mags on it. Durable, easy to clean etc.

Each to their own and all that, which is a wonderful thing. I was just curious, as the NATO seems to get mentioned a lot on PH.

[rhinochopig]

Hoofy said:

I never see soldiers wearing Ugg boots... I like the practical aspect of Nato straps - security, ease of changing, ease of washing. Ugg boots are warm but useless for everything else that practical boots are decent for.

Analogies are dangerous things.

As for Subs being durable things... bet they aren't.

You have a worryingly intimate knowledge of Ugg Boot design Hoofy.

[oktapod]

On that subject, is it easy to fit (and, crucially, is it easy to fit the official Rolex bracelet).

Just got it this afternoon. Very nice. It's far more watch than I deserve.

[Hoofy]

rhinochopig said:

You have a worryingly intimate knowledge of Ugg Boot design Hoofy.

Or I'm clever enough to take an educated guess?

[Hoofy]

phil1979 said:

Thanks for the replies above - and completely take the point about UGG boots. Perhaps a better analogy would be to buy an Aston Martin DB9, and then sling a set of Slot Mags on it. Durable, easy to clean etc.

Each to their own and all that, which is a wonderful thing. I was just curious, as the NATO seems to get mentioned a lot on PH.

Yeah, I like the Slot Mags analogy. [hoofy seal of approval]

A £5 cloth strap does make a £3k watch look cheaper... but I quite like it for that. Leather straps will get dirty and can't easily be refurbished. Bracelets stick to my skin in summer (or when I train) - I hate that feeling.

If anything, I put cheap watches on bracelets and expensive watches on Natos, just for personal amusement. But also because I don't mind losing a cheap watch if the springbar goes twang.

[andy_s]

I too wear my watches mostly on a NATO, for the same reasons as Hoofy.

[hilly10]

I too just do not get the Nato thing, but each to their own

[whoami]

phil1979 said:

I'm not trolling here, but what is the appeal of the Nato strap? It seems to be the watch equivalent of UGG boots; seemingly cool, but look awful. What am I missing? Is it some sort of Bond connection that evades my desire?

They are awful. Particularly on Rolex.

[thesyn]

Natos are really trying too hard IMO.

[oktapod]

Trying too hard to do what?

[thesyn]

Trying to somehow imply a "right on /alternative take" on a diving watch.

Don't see a lot of pro divers using NATOs

[Hoofy]

hilly10 said:

I too just do not get the Nato thing, but each to their own

Nothing to "get". I just put forward a logical argument of why I use it. Of course, if I'd written it in Swahili then I'd definitely be surprised if you got it.







You don't speak Swahili, right?

[Hoofy]

thesyn said:

Trying to somehow imply a "right on /alternative take" on a diving watch.

They are? I wear them on military-style watches eg my Breitling Colt, my Sinn 556...

[dustybottoms]

thesyn said:

Trying to somehow imply a "right on /alternative take" on a diving watch.

Don't see a lot of pro divers using NATOs

Interesting perspective, don't know why but I have never viewed the NATO specifically as a divers strap, although it is fair to say it has been used in the past by the Royal Navy and French Navy but that is due to military Subs having fixed bars.

I don't suppose pro divers use Subs full stop really nowadays, not as a specific diving tool anyhow.

I'm going to stick with a NATO being right for a Sub based on it being the only other official Rolex option to the bracelet.

Edited to add, just seen the post by Hoofy, I think Hoofy and I are with the same viewpoint on this subject.

Edited by dustybottoms on Thursday 19th April 21:47

Edited by dustybottoms on Thursday 19th April 21:51

[Hoofy]

You mention fixed bars. That's precisely why they are needed on some watches, especially military watches like my issued CWC G10 and issued CWC diver. You can't fit a bracelet nor a leather strap.

Check and indeed mate.