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7 February 2013, 02:38 PM | #1 |
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Genuine Military NATO blue/grey strap
I just came accross this fantastic blog and was particularly interested by the original grey/blue nato straps that were issued on Mil Subs.
Does anyone have information on where one might be able to find these straps and or the most close approximation made? http://100percent-rolex.blogspot.co....ap-update.html I looked into this company "Pheonix" based on some other threads I found (http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=147940) and can't seem to find them any longer...
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7 February 2013, 04:04 PM | #2 |
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still going strong...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Phoenix-St...item1c2f2ac555 though if you buy them direct fro m rolex uk they are now 50gbp. |
7 February 2013, 04:12 PM | #3 |
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Is there an American seller for these same straps?
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7 February 2013, 11:18 PM | #4 |
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There will be very soon. I've been in contact with Everest and he is working on distributing them (but doesn't have them yet). I can attest these nato bands are the best of my collection. I found some swiss made bands which were thicker and stitched that were of equal quality as well. That said, I enjoy the phoenix straps the most.
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8 February 2013, 02:43 PM | #5 | |
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Quote:
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8 February 2013, 12:45 AM | #6 |
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I bought an admiralty gray from Corvus and its pretty thin and I think flimsy. It's very gray. I have a navy blue one from natostrap and its much thicker. Rich
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8 February 2013, 01:48 AM | #7 |
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I've got 2 admiralty grey Phoenix from Corvus. Mediocre quality, especially the buckles. Flaws in weave of nylon too.
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8 February 2013, 03:57 AM | #8 |
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Tough to beat the Maratac NATO straps IMHO.
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8 February 2013, 07:01 AM | #9 |
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I agree, but their grey is weird.
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10 February 2013, 01:43 AM | #10 |
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i have both a gray maratac and a gray/black stripe maratac and the two grays are nothing like each other. my plain gray one looks blue /green and i actually thought that they had sent the wrong colour by mistake.
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8 February 2013, 03:56 AM | #11 |
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Agreed.. Mickie sells Phoenix Admirality greys as supplied to the MoD.
Bought the Admirality Grey, Black and James Bond strap. I have seen "thicker" straps, PVD buckles, etc, but then again I wanted the darker admirality grey.. and as per MoD spec. It does initially feel flimsy especially after wearing an Oyster bracelet, but a Mil Spec Rolex does have fixed bars, and that NATO isn't going to tear. If anything I reckon the weak point in your sub (non-mil) would be the spring bars. |
8 February 2013, 04:45 AM | #12 |
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Ordered. Will send pics when it arrives!
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8 February 2013, 08:06 AM | #13 |
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Funny this should come up ... I just got got one of these from Mickie this week. As far as my "ordering NATOs off the Bay" experience has been, this is one of the better ones.
I know everyone associates this strap with the Sub, but I think it would look badass on an Exp1.
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8 February 2013, 08:09 AM | #14 | |
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Sorry, phoenix or Maratac?
Can anyone compare the standard Maratac vs the Mil nato? Are they just thinker? Quote:
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8 February 2013, 04:33 PM | #15 | |
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The Maratac gray is much lighter in color than the Admiralty, which almost has a dark greenish tint to it. |
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8 February 2013, 10:42 AM | #16 | |
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Always get mine really quick. Have mine in on a Red Sub, and another on an Explorer 1. Black NATOs are nice, but again the admirality grey is a star. Its a good deep dark grey, that is why I keep coming back to it. Have other NATOs in a silver grey and black (with black buckle). |
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8 February 2013, 08:08 AM | #17 |
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Gnomon for me :)
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9 February 2013, 06:29 AM | #18 |
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I'm expecting this strap "admiralty grey" to have a slight blueish hue to it... though from what i've been reading its a pretty dark grey... only time will tell though i think it would be nice if someone made a strap that color matched the old original natos of the Mil spec subs!!
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9 February 2013, 08:02 AM | #19 |
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Here's a pic of my sub on an admiralty grey: http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=181809
Hope this helps.. you will see its nearly a charcoal grey. |
9 February 2013, 01:27 PM | #20 | |
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Quote:
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10 February 2013, 01:36 AM | #21 |
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Gents: It looks like our own Everest (Michael DiMartini) does have these straps in stock (albeit limited). I've ordered several bands from him in the past and have had excellent service. Shipping time and communication were also great.
Overall if you are into nato, I'd recommend trying at least one of the phoenix straps. They ship from here in the states and he takes paypal. You can email him here with questions: mdimartini@everestbands.com https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=279720 |
9 February 2013, 09:39 AM | #22 |
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Hi guys what size fits best for 1680 sub 22mm?
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9 February 2013, 09:46 AM | #23 |
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10 February 2013, 11:48 AM | #24 |
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9 February 2013, 10:26 AM | #25 |
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When I first bought my 5512 & 1680 I went crazy buying NATO straps from many different suppliers.
In the end I wanted to get an Admiralty Grey, so I bought my from Phoenix straps and though a bit thinner then other makes. I have worn 24/7 for the past 6 months and it is still fairing very nicely thank you. My 1680 which it is sat on has been involved in all sorts of activities and I very happy. :)
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9 February 2013, 12:29 PM | #26 |
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I still think the black nato from timefactors is the best nato I have. Rich
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14 February 2013, 11:04 PM | #27 |
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16 February 2013, 02:52 AM | #28 |
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Evaluating the Phoenix Admiralty grey NATO strap
So here are some more shots in different light with different reference colors (black jacket, white shirt, and grey sweater)... hopefully using the reference colors you can get a better idea of what it looks like. Its definitely very hard to capture the true color as it seems to change with lighting.
After a couple of days of having this strap here is my review: I LOVE the color and feel. It is very crisp... like a starched shirt. Not as soft as the maratacs. But not rough to the touch either. I like the stainless steel hardware. BUT my only concern is (as you may be able to see in some of the photos) that there is some small discernable wear on the outside of the holes where the strap loops back through the buckles. I feel like it is WAY to early to be seeing this type of wear... I'm going to keep this on as my main strap for some more time and see how it does... More detail on wear process to come. (Note that I have trimmed and sealed the end myself... it arrived with a much cleaner end )
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16 February 2013, 05:10 PM | #29 | |
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Phoenix straps get nicely worn in quite quickly. The holes stretch and fray...but frankly that's part of the charm. Maratc hold up MUCH better over time.
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19 February 2013, 02:47 PM | #30 | |
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And I think I will try that lighter trick... Today I made my own hole with a heated up pin! Worked more easily than I thought. In spite of the wear characteristics, I definitely like this Pheonix more than the maratacs so far. Thanks again for that folding tip!
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g10 , military , nato , submariner |
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