What's the consensus on NATO straps?
Discussion
ZesPak said:
Hoofy said:
Since the average Nato is about £5, just get it bought.
The SKX bracelet is extremely "rattly". I've had it on nato's since I've bought it and love it like that.
In fact, can anyone recommend me a good quality small-ish NATO. Have the standard 12 hole ~270mm one on my CWC and tbh it is a wee bit too long for me, I've had to punch a 13th hole in it and really need to trim the end a little, this just ruins the finish of the strap imo.
caelite said:
Aye, I've dunted one of the end links, it sits very slightly proud of the lugs on one side. Makes the rattle several magnitudes worse.
In fact, can anyone recommend me a good quality small-ish NATO. Have the standard 12 hole ~270mm one on my CWC and tbh it is a wee bit too long for me, I've had to punch a 13th hole in it and really need to trim the end a little, this just ruins the finish of the strap imo.
If you get a nylon one, you can clip the end between two 10p pieces and burn a curved end with a soldering iron.In fact, can anyone recommend me a good quality small-ish NATO. Have the standard 12 hole ~270mm one on my CWC and tbh it is a wee bit too long for me, I've had to punch a 13th hole in it and really need to trim the end a little, this just ruins the finish of the strap imo.
Just ordered one there. Went for a Gnonom one after reading some positive reviews. There where some other commonly reviewed ones out their but all seemed more difficult to get in the UK. Went for black with a grey stripe:
Will arrive next week some time. Supposedly fits 6-9". I have a 6.5"ish wrist and like a tight strap so I should be good I hope.
Will arrive next week some time. Supposedly fits 6-9". I have a 6.5"ish wrist and like a tight strap so I should be good I hope.
ZesPak said:
The SKX bracelet is extremely "rattly". I've had it on nato's since I've bought it and love it like that.
Dolf Stoppard said:
Just picked up one of these on a Super Oyster. Can't fault it and would say it's as comfortable as the bracelets on much more expensive watches. A good upgrade - but probably not the best thing to mention on a thread about NATO straps!
I've been contemplating but these bracelets cost nearly as much as the watch so hard to justify them. And I do like swapping out NATOs.New Gnonom NATO came today. Fits the skx well in 20mm. Much softer material to my army issue cwc one, also a much better fit, the holes are placed further down the strap so it fits comfortably on hole 4 rather than needing an extra one punched.
Obligatory German whip rude boi pic for the gram.
Obligatory German whip rude boi pic for the gram.
HM-2 said:
Does anyone know of a NATO strap manufacturer who uses titanium for the buckles/loops?
No, but i think your best bet would be to contact some of the companies that sell a broad range of NATOs and see what they have to say about it, such as: https://www.watchgecko.com/HM-2 said:
ZesPak said:
Never seen such a thing.
Just out of interest, may I ask why?
Sounds like an 116i with ceramic brakes ...
I've got a Titanium Omega Seamaster and I'm hoping to match the buckle/furniture with the case as best as I can. Just out of interest, may I ask why?
Sounds like an 116i with ceramic brakes ...
With most straps it depends on the watch as to what strap it suits. I love a good mesh, oyster bracelet, leather, croc, etc. however, I detest Nato! They may be comfortable but I just don't like how a watch looks with them on. I appreciate that in the watch loving community they tend to be well liked. My Speedmaster will never see the Nato and I've just put a distressed leather strap on my dive watch where others would put it on Nato.
Personal preferences and all that. Go with what you like.
Personal preferences and all that. Go with what you like.
I appreciate that some may frown upon a strap that costs less than a percent of the value of the watch but you can get some decent ones for a tenner. I've probably got a dozen crap ones that would still be cheaper than an OEM one. Means I can colour co-ordinate.
If you eBay 'woven nylon' ones they're the decent seatbelt material. I looked for ones that were similar to what I'd bought made by 'Blueshark' before, but they're based in the States, and you can get similar quality from UK sellers.
If you eBay 'woven nylon' ones they're the decent seatbelt material. I looked for ones that were similar to what I'd bought made by 'Blueshark' before, but they're based in the States, and you can get similar quality from UK sellers.
Hoofy said:
ZesPak said:
I love them. I have about 20 of them in various colours.
I probably have about the same.Admittedly, I've only really swapped straps on cheap-ish watches. My TAG watches have stayed on their original bracelets but I find NATO straps comfortable, inexpensive and a nice alternative.
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