NATOs - how do you wear yours?

[CardShark]

After buying a couple of new straps for my Stowa Flieger I've experimented with a few alternative ways of wearing it, for now I've settled threading it so as to have the buckle and excess strap under the flat side of my wrist. There's no loss in security - as in if a springbar breaks free the watch head is still held by the strap - and I quite enjoy the aesthetic of the straping under, rather than to the side, of my wrist. There's also just the single pass under the watch rather than double, this allows the watch to sit flatter making it easier under cuffs.

Anyone else?

Edited by CardShark on Wednesday 21st September 17:22

[andy tims]

The same as you except I usually trim the excess length.

[Barchettaman]

I normally trim off the daft double strap part and make it into a single pass (Zulu?) strap.

[benny.c]

andy tims said:

The same as you except I usually trim the excess length.

Same here. I like NATOs but not the folding back on itself.

[chuck_ster]

Same with regards to folding end back on itself, however I keep the double pass under the watch...which now I think I may stop doing as it adds height to watches which are generally too thick already these days.

[halfpenny43]

To those that cut the NATO straps - how do you seal it to stop it fraying ?

[Mezzanine]

Just run a lighter/flame gently over the end.

[Hoofy]

You can also bulldog clip two 10p pieces to the loose end and use a soldering iron to burn off the end to a nice curve.

That said, these days, I just let it flap about loosely like my belt and penis.

[MadCaptainJack]

Where do people buy their NATO straps from? I’d rather pay decent money for a well-made strap versus a cheapo, poor quality one.

[Hoofy]

MadCaptainJack said:

Where do people buy their NATO straps from? I’d rather pay decent money for a well-made strap versus a cheapo, poor quality one.

https://www.timefactors.com/collections/nato-straps
are apparently good. Soft, thick and strong. Insert your own joke here.

I've got "cheap" ones as well that feel quite plasticky but they're still strong but thin. I mean, if I catch it on something, it's not going to come away from my arm.

[shirt]

related, but should the buckles on a nato be free to move along it's length? bought one the other day for my pacman timex [yo!] and they're stitched into place and one is right next to the spring bar. wonder if i've fitted it incorrectly.

[Hoofy]

shirt said:

related, but should the buckles on a nato be free to move along it's length? bought one the other day for my pacman timex [yo!] and they're stitched into place and one is right next to the spring bar. wonder if i've fitted it incorrectly.

Is it touching the lugs/watch? If so that sounds like a mistake.

[CardShark]

MadCaptainJack said:

Where do people buy their NATO straps from? I’d rather pay decent money for a well-made strap versus a cheapo, poor quality one.

The mustard coloured strap in the first post and the oxblood one below are both from The Strap Tailor, not cheap (for a NATO) though the quality is evident in the stitching, fabric, metalwork and the cleanliness of the hole punching and end sealing.

Below is the oxblood with an unbranded strap I've had for years, I've no idea where it originally came from. The differences between the two are obvious.

Edited by CardShark on Thursday 22 September 14:12

[shirt]

Hoofy said:

Is it touching the lugs/watch? If so that sounds like a mistake.

its very close, and so sticks out at an odd angle. will take a pic later. the strap looks to have a means of adjustment that doesn't actually do anything, so i'm unsure if its me at fault or the strap is cheap and shonky.

[CardShark]

shirt said:

its very close, and so sticks out at an odd angle. will take a pic later. the strap looks to have a means of adjustment that doesn't actually do anything, so i'm unsure if its me at fault or the strap is cheap and shonky.

This quick video shows the traditional method of threading a strap past the springbars plus a couple of alternatives. The two keepers by the buckle should be fixed in place and not slide freely.

https://youtu.be/g9d5tRc3GKE

[andy tims]

Hoofy said:

MadCaptainJack said:

Where do people buy their NATO straps from? I’d rather pay decent money for a well-made strap versus a cheapo, poor quality one.

https://www.timefactors.com/collections/nato-straps
are apparently good. Soft, thick and strong. Insert your own joke here.

I've got "cheap" ones as well that feel quite plasticky but they're still strong but thin. I mean, if I catch it on something, it's not going to come away from my arm.

WatchObsession do good ones too.

[shirt]

CardShark said:

This quick video shows the traditional method of threading a strap past the springbars plus a couple of alternatives. The two keepers by the buckle should be fixed in place and not slide freely.

https://youtu.be/g9d5tRc3GKE

I see what I was doing wrong now, thanks.

Deliberately pisstake pic, but I reckon it’s suits it.

[Deefor62]

I experimented with several Nato straps, but in the end settled on the Erikas Originals. Even with a Nato, I was alternating between holes when my wrist expanded, which meant I had 2 different "fold" points in the tale.

The elasticated nature of the MN straps removed this little frustration altogether, and is far more comfortable.

Expensive mind you compared to Natos.

[Hoofy]

shirt said:

CardShark said:

This quick video shows the traditional method of threading a strap past the springbars plus a couple of alternatives. The two keepers by the buckle should be fixed in place and not slide freely.

https://youtu.be/g9d5tRc3GKE

I see what I was doing wrong now, thanks.

Deliberately pisstake pic, but I reckon it’s suits it.

[Barchettaman]

Deefor62 said:

I experimented with several Nato straps, but in the end settled on the Erikas Originals. Even with a Nato, I was alternating between holes when my wrist expanded, which meant I had 2 different "fold" points in the tale.

The elasticated nature of the MN straps removed this little frustration altogether, and is far more comfortable.

Expensive mind you compared to Natos.

I’m not keen on my (albeit knock-off) EO strap. Its elasticity means that the watch head bobbles and bounces around if you’re doing anything remotely physical, which I find annoying.