What's the consensus on NATO straps?

[SlimJim16v]

They look OK, until you put the watch on your wrist, then they look st.
The only thing worse is a leather NATO.

Edited by SlimJim16v on Wednesday 11th July 17:06

[SimNugget]

Cool as Fek, but I am biased - here’s my daily beater.



S

[ou sont les biscuits]

Nobody has mentioned that NATOs pong a bit if you have sweaty wrists and wear them a lot.

Might just be me though.

[SimNugget]

Yeah, and my sons meals end up all over them too.

Never seen a leather NATO - that must be hideous!

[Greendubber]

A quick wash under the tap keeps mine smelling OK, certainly never noticed any whiffs anyway.

I'm away at the moment and although I have a new watch on a bracelet with me my old 'beater' on its NATO is far more pleasant to wear during the day sat around/in the pool.

[Hoofy]

ou sont les biscuits said:

Nobody has mentioned that NATOs pong a bit if you have sweaty wrists and wear them a lot.

Might just be me though.

Even worse for leather straps. At least with a Nato, you can stick it in the washing machine (in a tied up sock to avoid having to buy a new washing machine). The Nato will come out clean and fresh.

[130R]

Hoofy said:

ou sont les biscuits said:

Nobody has mentioned that NATOs pong a bit if you have sweaty wrists and wear them a lot.

Might just be me though.

Even worse for leather straps. At least with a Nato, you can stick it in the washing machine (in a tied up sock to avoid having to buy a new washing machine). The Nato will come out clean and fresh.

Try a rubber strap. I have a couple of Marathon rubber straps and they smell really nice.

[andy tims]

They have their place and can look great on some watches, especially military or military inspired.

I don’t wear mine conventionally, but have the folded back section of the NATO where the buckle would be on a traditional strap which to my mind looks a lot neater.

I also generally trim the extra layer of material off to avoid the watch sitting higher than absolutely necessary on the wrist.

Not wanting watches to sit high on my wrist is my reason for avoiding leather NATO’s Even the thinnest add to much bulk. Do you want a NATO, or a leather strap?

[Doofus]

andy tims said:

I also generally trim the extra layer of material off to avoid the watch sitting higher than absolutely necessary on the wrist.

Isn't that extra layer what makes it a NATO? Have you invented a Zulu? Or is a Zulu something else?

I can't keep up with the blistering pace of strap evolution...

[lostkiwi]

Doofus said:

andy tims said:

I also generally trim the extra layer of material off to avoid the watch sitting higher than absolutely necessary on the wrist.

Isn't that extra layer what makes it a NATO? Have you invented a Zulu? Or is a Zulu something else?

I can't keep up with the blistering pace of strap evolution...

A 5 ring NATO usually has the extra layer. A 3 ring NATO doesn't. The you have NASA straps which are a velcro version of the NATO.

[LarsG]

I use NATO's on ever watch I use, all 15, they last forever, are comfortable, if the get wet they dry quickly and unlike rubber straps you don't sweat as much. I do have a metal strap too though.

While my newest acquisition a Fenix 5X has a heart rate monitor I had to use a standard nylon strap and not a full Nato.



.

[andy tims]

Doofus said:

Isn't that extra layer what makes it a NATO? Have you invented a Zulu? Or is a Zulu something else?

I can't keep up with the blistering pace of strap evolution...

Zulus have thicker material generally and different hardware.

[Doofus]

andy tims said:

Zulus have thicker material generally and different hardware.

So they're rubbish too then?

[Hoofy]

130R said:

Hoofy said:

ou sont les biscuits said:

Nobody has mentioned that NATOs pong a bit if you have sweaty wrists and wear them a lot.

Might just be me though.

Even worse for leather straps. At least with a Nato, you can stick it in the washing machine (in a tied up sock to avoid having to buy a new washing machine). The Nato will come out clean and fresh.

Try a rubber strap. I have a couple of Marathon rubber straps and they smell really nice.

I have them as well...

[caelite]

I'm a pretty big fan tbh, Got a CWC G10 I have had on a NATO since I got it. Just today decided to pop the bracelet off my SKX as one of the end links was rattling every time I moved my arm and it was driving me loopy. Have put the, slightly undersized, G10 NATO onto it as a temporary solution well I fix the end link (just needs bent back in ever so slightly). I am actually considering buying a correctly sized NATO for it and wearing it like this permanently.





vs the OEM steel bracelet



and the CWC



EDIT: Just noticed my bezel ring was off centre with the NATO shots... Oops. Also both watches are very grubby and worn

That being said, I like NATOs, there is something about rubber bands which I personally find a massive turn off. It's all subjective I suppose.

Edited by caelite on Friday 13th July 23:34

[Hoofy]

Caelite, sort that gap out!!

[Doofus]

Hoofy said:

Caelite, sort that gap out!!

Bondjamesbond innit

[Hoofy]

Doofus said:

Hoofy said:

Caelite, sort that gap out!!

Bondjamesbond innit

A made up character. And only done because the director who lent him the watch had the wrong bloody strap on it.

[caelite]

Hoofy said:

Caelite, sort that gap out!!

Haha, aye as I said it's temporary. The G10 I whipped the strap of has an 18mm lug width, the SKX is 20mm. Deciding whether or not to try and sort the rattly jubilee bracelet or buy it it's own NATO, it's the watch I wear every day.

[Hoofy]

caelite said:

Hoofy said:

Caelite, sort that gap out!!

Haha, aye as I said it's temporary. The G10 I whipped the strap of has an 18mm lug width, the SKX is 20mm. Deciding whether or not to try and sort the rattly jubilee bracelet or buy it it's own NATO, it's the watch I wear every day.

Since the average Nato is about £5, just get it bought.