NATO straps now change from status junk to OEM. Discover some of the 2014 watches officially fitted with NATO straps and the interesting story behind

 

 

 

Luminox Authorized Essential Gear for Maritime Commandos
Luminox Authorized Essential Gear for Maritime Commandos
Omega „Speedmaster Moonwatch Apollo 11“
Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch Apollo 11
Omega „Speedmaster Moonwatch Apollo 11“
Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch Apollo 11
Omega „Speedmaster Moonwatch Apollo 11“
Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch Apollo 11

 

 

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14 replies on “NATO straps now change from status junk to OEM. Discover some of the 2014 watches officially fitted with NATO straps and the interesting story behind”
  1. says: Ricardo Maldonado

    Alex, I like what Tudor did in its cideo with regards to the buckle placement and how to adjust the strap. Are there any other Nato producers that do the same?

    I like it because it eliminates the overlap thag shows on the side of your wrist which is why I don’t wear Natos..

  2. says: Rob B.

    Bremont supplies NATO straps with many of there watches. I have a MBII that came with a very high quality NATO band.

  3. says: Jason Howes

    Hi there Alex and all,

    I would like to point out something I noticed about these NATO-style straps. I call your attention to the side view of the Omega Speedmaster with the NATO strap. That watch is not a thin watch! Granted, I do not know exactly how thick/high it is but I would estimate it is on the order of 12-17 mm. Now adding a couple of layers of strap underneath, that watch will be sitting pretty darn high off the wrist. Your are just asking to be bashing that watch on all sorts of stuff. I have a Breitling that stands 17 mm high. With that strap, it would probably be on the order of 20+ mm high.

    Where I work, all door frames and wall corners are steel and I have scratched both cases and crystals on more than one watch (I have a bad habit of cutting corners when I am in a hurry.) in my 26+ years here.

    Personally, I do not care for the NATO style bands. I purchase my watches with metal bracelets and sometimes will add a leather strap later. I can not stand rubber or silicon against my skin.

    Well just my two cents worth, sorry for the lengthy discussion. Great work Alex, keep-it-up, I for one really appreciate it.

    Regards,

    Jason

  4. says: Andreas

    So, NATO straps (and textile straps in general) are considered too cheap for a precious watch. I remember a similar attitude among watch aficionados when rubber straps became popular. Meanwhile rubber straps are widely accepted even on rather expensive watches.

    I am using velcro straps (which are no NATO straps but look similar) on dive watches when I am using these for diving. I don’t like the look a lot but for me this is the only pratically reasonable way to wear a dive watch that is more than just decoration.

    I like the fact that NATO straps can be produced in colourful patterns like the plastic or silicone straps of SWATCH. And this possibility is not yet exploited. I see many young people with wristbands from music festivals or just wristbands with tribal patterns. Since NATO straps are very easy to change this is an uncomplicated way to pimp your watch. It is still hard for me to imagine an elegant gold watch on a NATO strap but it should be only a matter of time until we get used to that.

    After all this is a really new trend that brings some new looks to our traditional passion. And if you are honest you will have to admit that a tool watch on a NATO strap makes a lot more sense than a tool watch on an alligator strap.

  5. says: jeff hutton

    Alex, as much as I respect your taste and enthusiasm, i would have to say that, for the good of mankind, all Nato straps should be collected, melted down and recycled into beach umbrellas!
    ciao

    1. says: alex ioancio

      I love you Jeff
      You’ve just took out the words from my mouth!
      Probably it is nice looking in the beginning but when you wear it a little bit it looks very cheap.
      It is the feeling like my gipsies in my country. They are buying exhausted second hand mercedes to show off their bad taste and when they break the windscreen they don’t have the money to replace it. These starps , sorry, look very cheap to me!
      Alex

  6. says: DMJ

    Jaeger-LeCoultre had 1 or 2 year ago one Master Compressor with a NATO strap, i can not tell wich one but i’m sure you will find out!

  7. says: Dean L Bump

    JLC did use them on the Compressor Diving watches and Navy Seals as the extra strap.

  8. says: Albert

    Hi Alex. I’m curious with Omega Nato strap. Do you have any further information about Omega Nato strap whether if they will be able to be purchased separately, where we can buy the strap, how much it cost and when it will be available. Thank you.

    1. Yes you can buy them separately, they should be available through the Omega wholesale and boutique network and they will cost from 150 to 250 Swiss Francs without taxes included.

  9. says: Mezdis

    Well, the NATO straps seem to be a matter of personal taste. I don’t like them because they look cheap and make every watch looking cheap (ergo: for cheap watches they are OK). I guess this could also be the reason why no SIHH brand currently has a watch with a NATO strap in its portfolio.

    Like you, Alex, I am curious how this “mini-trend” will continue. My personal feeling is that there will not be a big boost of watches with NATO straps…

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