Best place to buy NATO straps?

[edweather]

Do the straps come with the pins? Anybody tried one on a 116610? Ed

[MickCollins1916]

I am a huge fan of BluShark NATOs. I’ve bought a number of them in the last year and I’m really pleased with the quality of the hardware and strap.

Spring bars do not come with those NATOs.

[DLRIDES]

Erika’s Original Straps

You’ll throw away all others after Erika !

[BLACKHORSE 6]

I’ve wondered the same.

Who makes the straps that Tudor is using?

[FrankBullitt]

I have to second BluShark (particularly the premium AlphaShark line) as a quality NATO maker, and maybe the best overall when you factor in all their color options. They have a killer British Khaki color that is unique and perfect for a Sub, very military/tool feel. They also have a Royal Blue shade that looks amazing on any white dial or blue dial watch for summer wear. And they now have AlphaShark "slim" profile NATOs that fit tight springbar clearances on some Rolex models.

The ToxicNATOs Shiznit is even (slightly) higher quality, but has fewer color options.

The absolute best I've ever worn is PhenomeNATO out of Budapest, Hungary. Finest weave and stitching, best feel, best hardware and sliding keeper placement, surpasses the Omega NATO in my opinion. I generally stick with Black, Admiralty Grey, or Bond as they have limited color options (but more coming on line in recent months). They also have two lengths (standard and long), allowing you to buy a long and custom cut it to fit exactly how you want to wear it.

[watchmavan]

Unfortunately it's bit that simple. I don't believe there is the one stand out. I own Toxic, Cincy, Phenome, Omega, Watchgecko, Strapworks, Erika's (not nato), Strapcode, Timefactors and a few other lesser known. Personally if I could combine the things I liked about each I could make the perfect Nato. But that would be MY favoured piece.

I would suggest looking at each of the makers above tho.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[FrankBullitt]

Originally Posted by watchmavan

... Personally if I could combine the things I liked about each I could make the perfect Nato. But that would be MY favoured piece.

I would suggest looking at each of the makers above tho.

So true. I have cigar boxes of straps, segregated by material (leather vs NATO) and lug width, which I dip into constantly to change up a look, or fit a mood or season. Much cheaper than buying watches, and as much fun. There is no single ultimate strap, and a lot of good boutique ones these days. Then I get wistful and put them back on their original oyster or jubilee bracelets - for a while.

I think of it as being analogous to having a hot wife or girlfriend, who you enjoy buying high-end lingerie for.

[AzHadEnuf]

Originally Posted by BLACKHORSE 6

I’ve wondered the same.

Who makes the straps that Tudor is using?

These guys in France.

https://www.hodinkee.com/articles/vi...y-julien-faure

[christopheran]

Phenomenato are incredibly nice.

[ras47]

I Like WatchGecko for straps. Good quality (not excellent, but good) at low prices. Big selection and quick shipping.

For pure quality (at exorbitant prices) it’s tough to beat Omega.

[exador]

Crown & Buckle

[Clowkoy]

Natostrapco, free shipping
I like their ultrasonically-welded straps.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Urosfan]

I bought a NATO from blushark it was pretty good quality I must say

[Baco Noir]

My favorite place is ToxicNATOS. His N8O and Shiznit models are the ones I buy most frequently. Terry is one man shop (US Veteran as well), offers fee shipping above $25, and provides great customer evice.

[toxicavenger]

Originally Posted by edweather

Do the straps come with the pins? Anybody tried one on a 116610? Ed

You don't ever want a strap to come with pins. They have no idea what watch they are for, so they are gonna throw in the cheapest, generic size available.

[watchmavan]

Originally Posted by AzHadEnuf

These guys in France.



https://www.hodinkee.com/articles/vi...y-julien-faure

Agreed that they are good but they're neither Nato not available to buy independent of Tudor resellers I believe.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[watchmavan]

Originally Posted by FrankBullitt

So true. I have cigar boxes of straps, segregated by material (leather vs NATO) and lug width, which I dip into constantly to change up a look, or fit a mood or season. Much cheaper than buying watches, and as much fun. There is no single ultimate strap, and a lot of good boutique ones these days. Then I get wistful and put them back on their original oyster or jubilee bracelets - for a while.



I think of it as being analogous to having a hot wife or girlfriend, who you enjoy buying high-end lingerie for.

However, two stand out as needing only minor adjustments to perfection IMO.

ToxicNATO.
Their premium seatbelt material is too thick especially as you have double under watch. Fix this and they are killers.

Phenome Nato
Being almost exact copies of Omega, they have the same issue. The keeper piece of strap is too long putting too wide a gap from the watch head.

Fix either of these and they would be all I'd ever buy.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[Barrier25]

Originally Posted by DLRIDES

Erika’s Original Straps



You’ll throw away all others after Erika !

Just bought a few from Erika’s. Excited to try them out. Will post some pics once I receive. I’ve been happy with nato’s/Zulu’s from Watch Gecko, County Comm, Daluca...

Was looking to try some from GasGasBones but they appear to be sold out... need to contact them directly perhaps.

[edweather]

Thanks for all the great replies. So can I use the spring bar from the bracelet? I've never removed a bracelet, so don't/didn't know if that spring bar could be used. Ed

[AzHadEnuf]

Originally Posted by watchmavan

Agreed that they are good but they're neither Nato not available to buy independent of Tudor resellers I believe.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

You’re correct on all points. I was just trying to answer the question, where do they come from.

[RolexEDC]

Blushark make nice NATO but I didn't like the buckle, it has spring bars that can fail. I have Erikas's original strap and the only thing that can fail is your factory oem spring bars, if that fail ur watch head still be secure by at least one spring bar.

[waterman1]

I just put shoulderless spring bars from Toxic Nato my sd43 and have to say this was the best thing I’ve done in all the years of wearing NATOs. It’s a very solid and confident feel. As for the strap- I have used all mentioned. Lately I’m liking the Toxic in black w PVD hardware. Also have liked Maratac over the years. Maratac is a very solid strap and holds even with hard use. I like things that last.

[asiparks]

My vote goes to Timefactors “deluxe” NATO or their “2014” NATO, great hardware and very well put together. Costs about what a woven strip of fabric should cost...

[toxicavenger]

Originally Posted by edweather

Thanks for all the great replies. So can I use the spring bar from the bracelet? I've never removed a bracelet, so don't/didn't know if that spring bar could be used. Ed

Yes you can use your stock spring bars.

[toxicavenger]

Originally Posted by watchmavan

Their premium seatbelt material is too thick especially as you have double under watch. Fix this and they are killers.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

I trim the extra layer of nylon off all my personal natos so they don't sit as high.

Originally Posted by waterman1

I just put shoulderless spring bars from Toxic Nato my sd43 and have to say this was the best thing I’ve done in all the years of wearing NATOs. It’s a very solid and confident feel. As for the strap- I have used all mentioned. Lately I’m liking the Toxic in black w PVD hardware. Also have liked Maratac over the years. Maratac is a very solid strap and holds even with hard use. I like things that last.

So the shoulderless spring bar worked? Great!!! Mystery solved.

[watchmavan]

Originally Posted by toxicavenger

I trim the extra layer of nylon off all my personal natos so they don't sit as high.





So the shoulderless spring bar worked? Great!!! Mystery solved.

Yes I could do this but I like the Nato design. Will only use Toxic on thin watches because it sits too high.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[eman1200]

Shark....NATO...... that’s funny!

[DLRIDES]

Originally Posted by Barrier25

Just bought a few from Erika’s. Excited to try them out. Will post some pics once I receive.

I think you’ll find Erikas to be the most comfortable strap ever worn.



Single layer, no buckles, frayed holes, excessive rings, and infinitely adjustable, etc .....

[watchmavan]

Originally Posted by toxicavenger

I trim the extra layer of nylon off all my personal natos so they don't sit as high.





So the shoulderless spring bar worked? Great!!! Mystery solved.

Just realised you're da man! If you could source a thinner seatbelt strap aka Phenome, Cincy, you would have best product. IMO


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[toxicavenger]

Originally Posted by DLRIDES

I think you’ll find Erikas to be the most comfortable strap ever worn.



Single layer, no buckles, frayed holes, excessive rings, and infinitely adjustable, etc .....

I owned some of the original versions and Erika's. Cool straps for sure. They still have a buckle/clasp and it still doesn't seem as secure to me. But I love the straps.