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Jack's Uncle · 23 April 2011, 12:18 AM

Greetings everyone.

I apologize in advance for the noobie question, but looking to all of you for some words of wisdom.

I was never a watch guy, but received my first Rolex ever about 9 months ago and now there's no going back. My second watch was a G-Shock and after following TRF for quite some time now, I pulled the trigger on an Orange Monster and should be getting it in a few days.

I've seen a lot of great pictures on here of the OM and pretty sure I want to put my new baby on a strap, but have no idea what the big differences are between NATO and ZULU straps. Truth is, I never even heard of a ZULU strap until I started doing research on the NATO, and the only thing I saw was that one was thicker than the other.

Any information you esteemed members of the nylon nation can share would be very much appreciated.

(And don't be shy about posting pics of your OM. I need something to occupy my mind while waiting for my delivery)

usbzoso · 23 April 2011, 12:36 AM

Zulu is made out of thicker nylon and has bigger metal rings, NATO is thinner nylon and smaller metal rings ... thats as much as i know

Dr. Robert · 23 April 2011, 01:49 AM

NATO has the extra layer of woven nylon fabric & more/different hardware.

The classic 2 ring ZULU is 1 strip of fabric, hardware is "chunkier" & the
fabric is sometimes thicker than the NATO's fabric.

*there is also a ZULU strap that has the "NATO" extra layer & extra hardware.

Check out Broadarrow.net for the Maratac brand & you'll see great photos of all the straps.

Jack's Uncle · 23 April 2011, 03:04 AM

Thanks guys.

Would you happen to know what size I need for the OM? I think I saw somewhere that it was 20mm.

usbzoso · 23 April 2011, 03:10 AM

I am pretty sure Seiko Orange Monster is 20mm lug width.

Dan Pierce · 23 April 2011, 04:03 AM

All good info above. Here's a OM on zulu.

A 6139 chrono on nato.

dP

UJU · 23 April 2011, 04:14 AM

I find the Nato a lot more comfortable than Zulu. Also, some of the zulu's are too thick to pass through between the case and the spring bar on some watches.

Some Seiko's on nylon.'

Jack's Uncle · 23 April 2011, 05:31 AM

Wow! Great pics!

Really appreciate the info.

Thanks again.

Runnin' Rebel · 23 April 2011, 10:31 AM

No kidding, great pics, all of 'em

bscepter · 23 April 2011, 12:06 PM

i have both.

• NATOs are longer and typically require the extra material to be tucked into the metal keeper. they also have an extra piece of nylon that goes under the watch to keep it from sliding.
• ZULU straps are shorter and are more like normal watch straps. however, the maratac ZULU i just got is, as has been stated, thicker than a similar NATO and needs to be put on one spring bar at a time rather than being passed underneath, which is a bit of a pain.

either way, they're both fun and inexpensive. plus both will save your valuable watch in the event of a single spring bar failure, unlike a bracelet, which won't.

Mockingbird · 23 April 2011, 12:14 PM

The Natos have an extra layer for more security.

23 April 2011, 12:18 AM	#1
Jack's Uncle "TRF" Member Join Date: May 2010 Real Name: Joseph Location: nyc Watch: SubC Posts: 187	Question for the nylon nation Greetings everyone. I apologize in advance for the noobie question, but looking to all of you for some words of wisdom. I was never a watch guy, but received my first Rolex ever about 9 months ago and now there's no going back. My second watch was a G-Shock and after following TRF for quite some time now, I pulled the trigger on an Orange Monster and should be getting it in a few days. I've seen a lot of great pictures on here of the OM and pretty sure I want to put my new baby on a strap, but have no idea what the big differences are between NATO and ZULU straps. Truth is, I never even heard of a ZULU strap until I started doing research on the NATO, and the only thing I saw was that one was thicker than the other. Any information you esteemed members of the nylon nation can share would be very much appreciated. (And don't be shy about posting pics of your OM. I need something to occupy my mind while waiting for my delivery)

23 April 2011, 01:49 AM	#3
Dr. Robert 2024 ROLEX DATEJUST41 Pledge Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Real Name: Bob Location: U.S.A. Watch: 1655 Posts: 61,789	NATO has the extra layer of woven nylon fabric & more/different hardware. The classic 2 ring ZULU is 1 strip of fabric, hardware is "chunkier" & the fabric is sometimes thicker than the NATO's fabric. *there is also a ZULU strap that has the "NATO" extra layer & extra hardware. Check out Broadarrow.net for the Maratac brand & you'll see great photos of all the straps. __________________ Founder & Card Carrying Member of the Global Association of Retro-Grouch-Curmudgeons

23 April 2011, 04:03 AM	#6
Dan Pierce 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Real Name: D'OH! Location: Kentucky Watch: Rolex-1 Tudor-3 Posts: 35,835	All good info above. Here's a OM on zulu. A 6139 chrono on nato. dP __________________ TRF Member# 1668 Bass Player in TRF "AFTER DARK" Bar & NightClub Band Commander-in-Chief of The Nylon Nation The Crown & Shield Club Honorary Member of P-Club

23 April 2011, 10:31 AM	#9
Runnin' Rebel "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Real Name: Mark Location: 🤔 Posts: 8,424	No kidding, great pics, all of 'em __________________ ♛

23 April 2011, 12:06 PM	#10
bscepter "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Real Name: Patrick Location: Omaha Watch: 16610 Submariner Posts: 948	i have both. • NATOs are longer and typically require the extra material to be tucked into the metal keeper. they also have an extra piece of nylon that goes under the watch to keep it from sliding. • ZULU straps are shorter and are more like normal watch straps. however, the maratac ZULU i just got is, as has been stated, thicker than a similar NATO and needs to be put on one spring bar at a time rather than being passed underneath, which is a bit of a pain. either way, they're both fun and inexpensive. plus both will save your valuable watch in the event of a single spring bar failure, unlike a bracelet, which won't. __________________ 2009 16610 Submariner Date 1971 1601 Datejust 1966 Omega Seamaster 1965 Vulcain Voyager Chronograph

23 April 2011, 12:36 AM	#2
usbzoso Banned Join Date: Apr 2011 Real Name: Stan Location: Dallas Watch: 16610/16600/16800 Posts: 1,231	Zulu is made out of thicker nylon and has bigger metal rings, NATO is thinner nylon and smaller metal rings ... thats as much as i know

23 April 2011, 03:04 AM	#4
Jack's Uncle "TRF" Member Join Date: May 2010 Real Name: Joseph Location: nyc Watch: SubC Posts: 187	Thanks guys. Would you happen to know what size I need for the OM? I think I saw somewhere that it was 20mm.

23 April 2011, 03:10 AM	#5
usbzoso Banned Join Date: Apr 2011 Real Name: Stan Location: Dallas Watch: 16610/16600/16800 Posts: 1,231	I am pretty sure Seiko Orange Monster is 20mm lug width.

23 April 2011, 04:14 AM	#7
UJU "TRF" Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Norway Watch: 14060M Posts: 274	I find the Nato a lot more comfortable than Zulu. Also, some of the zulu's are too thick to pass through between the case and the spring bar on some watches. Some Seiko's on nylon.'

23 April 2011, 05:31 AM	#8
Jack's Uncle "TRF" Member Join Date: May 2010 Real Name: Joseph Location: nyc Watch: SubC Posts: 187	Wow! Great pics! Really appreciate the info. Thanks again.

23 April 2011, 12:14 PM	#11
Mockingbird "TRF" Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: -- Posts: 2,097	The Natos have an extra layer for more security.

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