NATO Strap, what is so special about it?

[thomas311]

Originally Posted by turbodiver

Great perspectives on the NATO's guys.
I have never seen a NATO in the wild.

x2, but makes me want to look for one and try it out

which website should i be looking at to purchase? any suggestions?

[JimSnyder]

Fun, cheap and works perfect.

[esm]

Got a couple of NATO straps first and sort of like it, then got a few ZULU straps later, much thicker and felt more hefty.
Then won a leather NATO from another forum - liked it alot.

I think I prefer the NATOs over the ZULUs.

[Saxon007]

Originally Posted by thomas311

which website should i be looking at to purchase? any suggestions?

Not a lot of color choices but the most comfortable I think: http://www.timefactors.com/nato.htm

Good service here, I got my Bonds from http://natostrap.blogspot.com/

[hng]

Tried once and my GMTIIC bracelet is off to the safe!

[thomas311]

Originally Posted by Saxon007

Not a lot of color choices but the most comfortable I think: http://www.timefactors.com/nato.htm

Good service here, I got my Bonds from http://natostrap.blogspot.com/

thank you!

[ErikXIV]

Comfy and looks very nice!

[rmfnla]

Originally Posted by Dan Pierce

I was answering his inquiry about swimming wearing a nato. It's waterproof, why not?
dP

Got it!

[Subfiend]

Originally Posted by SaddleSC

I wear my Sea Dweller 16600 on NATO quite frequently for the the following reasons:
1) For underwater activities, it is more secure because it can survive one springbar failure and will not result in loss of the watch head.
2) It is more comfortable to use at the office because I am not constantly banging the bracelet into the wrist rest on my laptop or the desk.
3) I find it to be more comfortable and quickly adjustable on the wrist.
4) I like being able to change the look of the watch quickly/cheaply and I have enough straps that I can match them to what I am wearing.
5) I think NATO straps look pretty darn cool.
6) I think it is great way to personalize the watch and add your own unique touch. (I have gotten comments on my SD on numerous occasions from other WIS when the watch is on NATO simply because it is different than what most people are accustomed to seeing).
7) Did I mention that it looks cool?

All of these reasons, but mainly because NATO bands are more practical, more comfortable and safer than vintage Rolex bracelets. IMHO, until this new design came out, the clasp on the Rolex divers was awful. I own several and I have almost lost my watches on several occasions when the clasp popped open upon entering the water. I also get bored with seeing the same steel bracelet on all of my divers, so having several NATOs allows me to mix and match.

[SaddleSC]

Originally Posted by Subfiend

All of these reasons, but mainly because NATO bands are more practical, more comfortable and safer than vintage Rolex bracelets. IMHO, until this new design came out, the clasp on the Rolex divers was awful. I own several and I have almost lost my watches on several occasions when the clasp popped open upon entering the water. I also get bored with seeing the same steel bracelet on all of my divers, so having several NATOs allows me to mix and match.

Sweet picture. I love the collection. Thanks for sharing.

[Subfiend]

Originally Posted by SaddleSC

Sweet picture. I love the collection. Thanks for sharing.

Anytime.

[Rambam]

I`m just not a bracelet kinda guy. I`ve tried, but they always end up on Nato or Perlon. Just makes the watch feel better on my wrist, and like it`s been said there are a ton of different styles to choose from.
I modify my Nato`s by taking away the underlying extra strap so that I can center the buckle. To me that makes it feel and look better (at least on my wrist).

[Jurgen920]

I was skeptical of removing the bracelet but as soon as I put on my Sub with natostraps, there was no turning back! In fact, nowadays,I change the straps according to my mood and absolutely love every moment of my sub with natostraps!

[wokafu]

looks n another option saids it all...bout 2 get 1 soon..:D

[George Ab]

I never "got" the Nato strap thing. Reading this thread......... well.... I may have turned the corner.

[Lamone]

Great feel and safer.

[dsio]

They look cool, particularly mad colours, and if you buy a black and brown leather NATO, you can hot swap them to match your belt and shoes. Ladies notice such things (I've been told at least).

[Trailblazer]

I absolutely adore natos..

[Johny]

which company makes the best quality strap. thank you. the best.

[dsio]

Originally Posted by Johny

which company makes the best quality strap. thank you.

Not the $5 ebay sweatshop ones, although they're more than adequate, they don't feel as nice.

I still bought a bulk pack for all the colour variants though ;)

[looking to buy]

I always thought they looked silly. Now I am starting to change my mind. I have two or three that were given to me and I have never used. Now maybe I will put one on.

[Johny]

Originally Posted by Johny

which company makes the best quality strap. thank you. the best.

i think that i will get one or two to try.

[rdGOnoles]

Best move ever. Swtiched my Sub non-date to a NATO and have loved it, for all the reason above but mostly safer in case of a spring bar failure. I like the Martatac and did not like the Courvus.

[Tachymeter]

My goodness, I can't believe that after 50 odd posts no one will openly admit they like the nato band because James Bond wore one. No need to be embarrassed guys. :)

The way some people post it nappears they have a spring-bar failure on a weekly basis.

[dsio]

Its bound to happen some day ;)

I can't believe some of mine work at all anymore, one of the ones I took off the Pie-Pan looks like it and the endlink are full of black tar. How does a wrist produce tar?

Still worked though.

[thesmallwave]

Originally Posted by Jurgen920

I was skeptical of removing the bracelet but as soon as I put on my Sub with natostraps, there was no turning back! In fact, nowadays,I change the straps according to my mood and absolutely love every moment of my sub with natostraps!

Can you share with us the pic you have on avatar here?Also i would like to see the back of the watch with that Nato strap, i will have a clue about it.Many thanks,Levi

[austinnh]

What's so special about it?

Basically, it works better in every way for every activity.

Except for aesthetics/dress. Then it's more subjective.

[Tachymeter]

Originally Posted by austinnh

What's so special about it?

Basically, it works better in every way for every activity.

I would disagree. The NATO strap in considerably weaker compared to a metal band. I would put my faith in rolex steel then a $20 canvas strap.

[Saxon007]

Originally Posted by Tachymeter

I would disagree. The NATO strap in considerably weaker compared to a metal band. I would put my faith in rolex steel then a $20 canvas strap.

The NATO is not really weaker at all, I'd say stronger. The nylon strap is very strong, think of how tough a nylon rope is and you kinda get the idea. The bracelet has lots of places it could fail, the main one being a springbar. On a NATO, BOTH springbars must fail for you to lose the watch.

[Jason71]

Originally Posted by Tachymeter

My goodness, I can't believe that after 50 odd posts no one will openly admit they like the nato band because James Bond wore one. No need to be embarrassed guys. :)

The way some people post it nappears they have a spring-bar failure on a weekly basis.

I don't typically wear a NATO on land, but in the Ocean??? ALWAYS. True, a spring-bar failure is rare, especially since I replace the bars yearly on my "diving" Rolex..........But it would only take once, diving over the Abyss with the watch on the bracelet for me to be very SAD

BTW, I was recently diving in Grand Cayman on the wall and it was 8000ft to the bottom. No going down to retrieve a lost watch.