Rolex GMT master ..with leather strap?

[wong]

I have a 1990's Rolex GMT master (1) - all black bezel and dial ( not half red, half blue/black)- with the Oyster bracelet.
I need the Date and like having 24 Hr / dual time function, however I am wanting to try a leather strap.
Will this look OK with a nice ( Rolex? ) shiny black leather strap ?

Did some of the earlier Submariners come with a fabric strap?

[Ultra Violent]

Slap on a nato strap.

[gilford]

I agree, get a nice NATO off Eddie over @ timezone, I've got one for my sub and it's very comfortable.

[The GMan]

Not the same watch at all. But I have an old Tag 2000 that I got bought for my 21st and the gold was wearing down on the strap, so I got a black leather strap put on to it and it makes the watch look younger and I have found myself wearing it a lot more than I did.

[Dominic H]

Hi Wong,
Go for it. There's a whole world of different straps you can go for. As the boys have mentioned, the NATO look good, functional, tough etc... Or, an Alligator strap will really dress it up. Buy a few and swap them about. You can always change back to the Rolex bracelet...

[wong]

Thanks for the replies!

Any pictures of a NATO strap ?
I assume its a military style nylon type. Colours available and rough guide to prices ?

Being a complete novice, is it difficult to exchange straps ?

[CommanderJameson]

Here's a pepsi on a NATO, lookin' good:

[Cliocrazy]

CommanderJameson said:

Here's a pepsi on a NATO, lookin' good:

wrong, that's a COKE, not a PEPSI

[CommanderJameson]

So it is. Shouldn't post without putting my glasses on. Anyway, it's a GMT Master on a NATO strap - that being the point of the thread.

Edited by CommanderJameson on Sunday 12th October 16:16

[wong]

Those NATO straps look cool .

Had a look on www.timezone.com but could not find a NATO strap on their onlineshop ?
Where else can I buy a black NATO strap ?

Size ? Do I just measure inbetween the lugs in mm ?

Had a browse through their leather straps and they recommend changing straps every 6 - 12 months or so . Does anyone seriously throw away a good (expensive ?) leather strap after one year ?

[andy-r]

Try http://www.timefactors.com/nato.htm

[wong]

andy-r said:

Try http://www.timefactors.com/nato.htm

Thanks.
Ive had a good browse and didnt realise that decent straps were that cheap.
I'll get a couple and chop and change.

Do you need a special tool to replace straps or do you just use a paper clip tO push the spring bars out and your fingernails to compress them on refitting ?

[Dominic H]

wong said:

andy-r said:

Try http://www.timefactors.com/nato.htm

Do you need a special tool to replace straps or do you just use a paper clip tO push the spring bars out and your fingernails to compress them on refitting ?

In a nutshell, that's about it. Make sure you do it on a hard floor, otherwise you'll be on your hands and knees for 30 mins looking for the spring bar in the shagpile.

Edited by Dominic H on Tuesday 14th October 19:37

[Dominic H]

wong said:

I have a 1990's Rolex GMT master (1) - all black bezel and dial ( not half red, half blue/black)- with the Oyster bracelet.
I need the Date and like having 24 Hr / dual time function, however I am wanting to try a leather strap.
Will this look OK with a nice ( Rolex? ) shiny black leather strap ?

Did some of the earlier Submariners come with a fabric strap?

Eureka!

If you're after a NATO or similair look no further than this seller, I've included a link from 'newturfers' Terence Y.

http://www.newturfers.com/bin/mwf/topic_show.pl?ti...

I've bought from him before, he's spot on and the product is 10/10. I bought a couple of the orange and black 20mm 2 ring items. I can't remember if he's based in HK or Singapore. Drop him a line or give him a call. I'd thoroughly reccommend him.

The orange looks ace on a vintage Sub...

[Don1]

Dominic H said:

Eureka!

[Italian Accent]

You don't smell so good yourself!

[/Italian Accent]


Sorry...

[Dominic H]

Don1 said:

Dominic H said:

Eureka!

[Italian Accent]

You don't smell so good yourself!

[/Italian Accent]


Sorry...

Very droll Donald, very droll......

Sorry I missed your call, catch up tomorrow....D

[wong]

I didn't realise the different coloured Bezels of the GMT had nicknames.
So, if the blue and red is a 'Pepsi'
And a black and red is a 'Coke'
Does the all black bezel have a name ?