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cpsomas · 31 January 2011, 12:10 PM

Hi Guys,
I recently purchased a couple NATO's for my Sub off eBay for a decent price and from a reputable seller but I wonder if I purchased the best quality strap that is available. I am leaning toward no.

The quality seems to be fine with stainless steel keepers and buckles and it's comfortable on the wrist. The one thing I have noticed with others straps is how the keepers and buckles are held in place. With mine, they seem to be held by heat welds but I have noticed that others are heat welded as well as stitched. After paying for a 5k watch, I definitely don’t want it to fall off by having a subpar strap fall apart.

I know many of you purchase from broadarrow and natostrap.blogspot but is this because of the value or quality for both? I also have seen several others purchase Corvus straps which seem to be more expensive but many have posted on TRF that they fray easily.

So here is my question. I know we have had several threads on NATO's and ZULU's but have we really narrowed down who makes the best quality strap? I am not concerned with value and as I am quality. I am interested in many of you members you have had years of experience with a particular strap manufacturer.

Thanks guys! Just as a reference, here are pics of the straps I got off eBay.

zeuloa · 31 January 2011, 12:21 PM

I bought mine from here and had them on my DATEJUST for almost 2 months while on vacation in Nicaragua. It looks good as new - great strap!

http://www.thestrapshop.co.uk/pages/lwb/NatoG10.htm

Jason71 · 31 January 2011, 12:55 PM

Chris, I have been through tons of Nato straps. All NATOs are NOT created equally. The best ones are Maratac. They don't come in as many fancy colors, but the quality is DEFINITELY better. Stay away from Corvus IMHO.

Buy the Maratac brand from Howard Marx. He is the most affordable, and is a real pleasure to do business with.

http://westcoastime.com/marnatimbanf.html

garGARgar · 31 January 2011, 01:03 PM

Hey Chris. I just ordered some from http://natostrap.blogspot.com/ after several recommendations here. I should be receiving them in a few days. They're the first I've purchased so I can't really compare them to others, but I'll let you know what I think.

Speed · 31 January 2011, 04:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jason71

Chris, I have been through tons of Nato straps. All NATOs are NOT created equally. The best ones are Maratac. They don't come in as many fancy colors, but the quality is DEFINITELY better. Stay away from Corvus IMHO.

Buy the Maratac brand from Howard Marx. He is the most affordable, and is a real pleasure to do business with.

http://westcoastime.com/marnatimbanf.html

Jason...how do you buy from this site?

I might be missing the link...

Dr. Robert · 31 January 2011, 04:37 PM

Maratac, hands down.
Best place to get them....online at Broadarrow.net

duckdown · 31 January 2011, 08:06 PM

Why do I think they look so tacky, NATOs and rubber bracelets

Saxon007 · 31 January 2011, 09:59 PM

I am not a fan of Maratac, one of mine got a small tear and began fraying the first day I used it. I prefer the straps at timefactors.com because they are a bit thicker and much more comfortable to me.

BTW, the British Ministry of Defense specifies a heat welded (not sewn) seam.

padi56 · 31 January 2011, 10:05 PM

What I have found over the many years some charge ridicules prices for watch straps.And in reality are no better in quality than ones from say Hirsch,same for NATO's the one from Eddie Platts at timfactores will take some beating for the money.

Oliver Mendl · 31 January 2011, 10:11 PM

tripleaughtdesign.com -> http://www.tripleaughtdesign.com/Equ...bat-Dive-Strap

greetings,
olli

esm · 31 January 2011, 10:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by padi56

What I have found over the many years some charge ridicules prices for watch straps.And in reality are no better in quality than ones from say Hirsch,same for NATO's the one from Eddie Platts at timfactores will take some beating for the money.

yep -agreed

www.timefactors.com

karmatp · 31 January 2011, 11:37 PM

Timefactors and Broadarrow both sell great straps for cheap. The reality is your paying like $15 for a strap, and it's nylon, how much better can one be than the other. I have had ones that I prefer more than the other, but they were thinner, and more flexible.

HL65 · 31 January 2011, 11:44 PM

Try Bill Mahoney too--Squinky.com

Hulatime · 1 February 2011, 03:31 AM

I've bought many NATO straps from Howard (westcoastime.com) - great selection. However, I just placed an order from another source which was listed on TRF and hope to receive those this week. Although I'm happy with the straps from Howard, I thought I'd try another vendor to see if there's any difference in quality & longevity. Will report back! In the meantime, here is a NATO on the Red Sub & a Maratac on the 14060M.

Jason71 · 1 February 2011, 03:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Speed

Jason...how do you buy from this site?

I might be missing the link...

Just email him with the given email address on the site. Tell him which strap, and the strap width. He will give you instructions. I have found him to be very responsive to my emails

ArcticMoose · 1 February 2011, 03:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by esm

yep -agreed

www.timefactors.com

Just ordered my second batch.

Speaking of NATOs, does anyone know where I could find one for the 29mm YM? I believe the lug size is 13mm.

jessiethe3rd · 1 February 2011, 06:41 AM

I just look for the cheapest ones... that's me...
(with good reference of course)

sveppiman · 1 June 2016, 07:34 PM

The best quality nato straps are from https://www.bestnato.com/
I've tried all the other major brands but now I just use this one.

josephvman · 2 June 2016, 11:05 AM

I've tried a number of them through the years and absolutely nothing compares to the Omega NATO's. Unfortunately they're ungodly pricey for a NATO (around $200) and one of the retainers is lightly engraved with "Omega". I think any decent watchmaker could polish off the retainer fairly easily, as it's high quality stainless, but you do need to wrap your head around the price. I've got a few and I think they're worth it. They also have a nice selection of colors.

Mike B · 2 June 2016, 11:09 AM

For me, the best NATO straps I have ever bought ( and I've bought many of them, from many different vendors such as Maratec, Gecko, etc. ) and the best ones are made by Crown+Buckle. They are super sturdy, firm, and last a lot longer than any of my other straps.

31 January 2011, 12:10 PM	#1
cpsomas "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Lower 48 Watch: SMP 2254.50 Posts: 337	Who makes the best NATO/ZULU? Hi Guys, I recently purchased a couple NATO's for my Sub off eBay for a decent price and from a reputable seller but I wonder if I purchased the best quality strap that is available. I am leaning toward no. The quality seems to be fine with stainless steel keepers and buckles and it's comfortable on the wrist. The one thing I have noticed with others straps is how the keepers and buckles are held in place. With mine, they seem to be held by heat welds but I have noticed that others are heat welded as well as stitched. After paying for a 5k watch, I definitely don’t want it to fall off by having a subpar strap fall apart. I know many of you purchase from broadarrow and natostrap.blogspot but is this because of the value or quality for both? I also have seen several others purchase Corvus straps which seem to be more expensive but many have posted on TRF that they fray easily. So here is my question. I know we have had several threads on NATO's and ZULU's but have we really narrowed down who makes the best quality strap? I am not concerned with value and as I am quality. I am interested in many of you members you have had years of experience with a particular strap manufacturer. Thanks guys! Just as a reference, here are pics of the straps I got off eBay.

31 January 2011, 12:55 PM	#3
Jason71 "TRF" Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Real Name: Jason Location: USA Watch: Rolex/Tudor Divers Posts: 7,973	Chris, I have been through tons of Nato straps. All NATOs are NOT created equally. The best ones are Maratac. They don't come in as many fancy colors, but the quality is DEFINITELY better. Stay away from Corvus IMHO. Buy the Maratac brand from Howard Marx. He is the most affordable, and is a real pleasure to do business with. http://westcoastime.com/marnatimbanf.html __________________ Best Regards, Jason Just Say "NO" to Polishing Card-Carrying Member of the Global Association of Retro-Grouch Curmudgeons LIfe is too short to wear inexpensive watches PLEXI IS SEXY

31 January 2011, 01:03 PM	#4
garGARgar "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Real Name: Gary Location: New York, NY Watch: 16610LV Posts: 711	Hey Chris. I just ordered some from http://natostrap.blogspot.com/ after several recommendations here. I should be receiving them in a few days. They're the first I've purchased so I can't really compare them to others, but I'll let you know what I think. __________________ 16610LV 126334 116710LN

31 January 2011, 04:37 PM	#6
Dr. Robert 2024 ROLEX DATEJUST41 Pledge Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Real Name: Bob Location: U.S.A. Watch: 1655 Posts: 61,292	Maratac, hands down. Best place to get them....online at Broadarrow.net __________________ Founder & Card Carrying Member of the Global Association of Retro-Grouch-Curmudgeons

31 January 2011, 08:06 PM	#7
duckdown "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Real Name: R Location: Toronto, Canada Watch: d a t e j u s t 2 Posts: 462	Why do I think they look so tacky, NATOs and rubber bracelets __________________ My current "Rolex Fund" savings status: ~$15,000 CAD What am I buying next? I want a solid 18k gold Rolex. Got a great deal I should know about within my budget? Tell me!!

31 January 2011, 12:21 PM	#2
zeuloa "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Real Name: Jose Location: Here Watch: SEA-DWELLER Posts: 2,232	I bought mine from here and had them on my DATEJUST for almost 2 months while on vacation in Nicaragua. It looks good as new - great strap! http://www.thestrapshop.co.uk/pages/lwb/NatoG10.htm

31 January 2011, 09:59 PM	#8
Saxon007 "TRF" Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Texas Posts: 2,002	I am not a fan of Maratac, one of mine got a small tear and began fraying the first day I used it. I prefer the straps at timefactors.com because they are a bit thicker and much more comfortable to me. BTW, the British Ministry of Defense specifies a heat welded (not sewn) seam. __________________ Licensed to kill time.

31 January 2011, 10:05 PM	#9
padi56 "TRF" Life Patron Join Date: Jun 2005 Real Name: Peter Location: Llanfairpwllgwyng Watch: ing you. Posts: 52,269	What I have found over the many years some charge ridicules prices for watch straps.And in reality are no better in quality than ones from say Hirsch,same for NATO's the one from Eddie Platts at timfactores will take some beating for the money. __________________ ICom Pro3 All posts are my own opinion and my opinion only. "The clock of life is wound but once, and no man has the power to tell just when the hands will stop. Now is the only time you actually own the time, Place no faith in time, for the clock may soon be still for ever." Good Judgement comes from experience,experience comes from Bad Judgement,.Buy quality, cry once; buy cheap, cry again and again. www.mc0yad.club Second in command CEO and left handed watch winder

31 January 2011, 10:11 PM	#10
Oliver Mendl "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Real Name: Oliver Mendl Location: Around the Globe Watch: Explorer II: 16570 Posts: 97	tripleaughtdesign.com -> http://www.tripleaughtdesign.com/Equ...bat-Dive-Strap greetings, olli

31 January 2011, 11:37 PM	#12
karmatp "TRF" Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Real Name: Trevor Location: Arizona Posts: 5,740	Timefactors and Broadarrow both sell great straps for cheap. The reality is your paying like $15 for a strap, and it's nylon, how much better can one be than the other. I have had ones that I prefer more than the other, but they were thinner, and more flexible. __________________ My grails:

31 January 2011, 11:44 PM	#13
HL65 TRF Moderator & 2024 DATE-JUST41 Patron Join Date: Dec 2007 Real Name: Ken Location: SW Florida Watch: One on my wrist. Posts: 63,401	Try Bill Mahoney too--Squinky.com __________________ *SPEM SUCCESSUS ALIT*

1 February 2011, 06:41 AM	#17
jessiethe3rd 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: May 2010 Real Name: hmm.... Location: Seattle, WA Watch: Chronometre Bleu Posts: 316	I just look for the cheapest ones... that's me... (with good reference of course) __________________ "To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment." - Emerson

1 June 2016, 07:34 PM	#18
sveppiman "TRF" Member Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Iceland Posts: 1	The best quality nato straps are from https://www.bestnato.com/ I've tried all the other major brands but now I just use this one.

2 June 2016, 11:05 AM	#19
josephvman Banned Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Houston, TX USA Posts: 808	I've tried a number of them through the years and absolutely nothing compares to the Omega NATO's. Unfortunately they're ungodly pricey for a NATO (around $200) and one of the retainers is lightly engraved with "Omega". I think any decent watchmaker could polish off the retainer fairly easily, as it's high quality stainless, but you do need to wrap your head around the price. I've got a few and I think they're worth it. They also have a nice selection of colors.

2 June 2016, 11:09 AM	#20
Mike B "TRF" Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Real Name: Mike Location: Gilbert, AZ Watch: DSSD, Omega SMP Posts: 3,055	For me, the best NATO straps I have ever bought ( and I've bought many of them, from many different vendors such as Maratec, Gecko, etc. ) and the best ones are made by Crown+Buckle. They are super sturdy, firm, and last a lot longer than any of my other straps.

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