5513 on "Real Bond" nato strap made in UK.

[Dr.Brian]

The owners brother, who worked full time for the company after leaving his job as a prosecutor for the state of Maine, was found guilty of posession of child pornography two weeks ago. No rumor, fact.
http://www.sunjournal.com/state/story/898240
Of course he's not with the company anymore, so I feel comfortable buying from them now. I didn't want any of my money going to his defense. This was posted a year or so ago on another popular watch forum. It looks like his brother was the brains behind the operation anyway, so no great loss. I don't see the need to keep this on the DL any longer. I'm happy with the result, and that the company has this "cloud" finally lifted. I was troubled by the balance between the gravity of the charges/crimes vs the concept of innocent until proven guilty.

[Nicko]

Well, I ordered the 18mm version (which they had in stock) of the James Bond Nato.....I think the undersized band will give my 5513 that authentic "Bond" look...

[argabright]

I do not want to do business with them, but it's a fine-looking strap.

[notaclctr]

Actually Bond used a 16mm strap. My old 5513 w/ 20mm lugs (same lug width as the 6538) is fitted with an 18mm strap

[mountainjogger]

Can't wait it!

[mountainjogger]

On a ceramic I would definitely get a 20 mm. Just my opinion. I would also consider black, which I have and looks classy.

[Nicko]

Originally Posted by notaclctr

Actually Bond used a 16mm strap. My old 5513 w/ 20mm lugs (same lug width as the 6538) is fitted with an 18mm strap

Thanks for the info!!!

[Lion]

All I got to say is it's your choice how you decide to wear your watch whether on a strap or bracelet...it's all good!!!

[Rogue884]

My understanding of the infamous "Bond" strap was that it was actually a strip of regimental nylon used by the prop-master. It wasn't even a NATO G-10 strap. The closest would be the RAF style like below, but its not the exact regimental colors from the movie.

[therolexguy]

[rdGOnoles]

i got a Corvus strap, can somebody pm me the details, nervous now.

[therolexguy]

Originally Posted by rdGOnoles

i got a Corvus strap, can somebody pm me the details, nervous now.

I didn't read about it but check out post #31.....may give you the info you need.

[SubKing]

i concur with jocke. but i will not state why. as he said im sure all the info is in his pm.

[SubKing]

but just to add, the corvous straps fray out of control and fall apart after short time of wear. at least mine did and few others around here. just a heads up. the owner will tell you to use a lighter to fix the frays but it doesnt help much,.

[argabright]

I think I may have found a "real bond" strap from a company other than Corvus. I'll update you all when I find out more information.

[jake]

This is about as close as it gets. You can read more here:

http://rolexblog.blogspot.com/2009/0...-comes-to.html

[Nicko]

I haven't heard this, just the opposite, they are very well made I'm told. I will give a review once I receive it.

Originally Posted by SubKing

but just to add, the corvous straps fray out of control and fall apart after short time of wear. at least mine did and few others around here. just a heads up. the owner will tell you to use a lighter to fix the frays but it doesnt help much,.

[slevin kelevra]

Originally Posted by SubKing

but just to add, the corvous straps fray out of control and fall apart after short time of wear. at least mine did and few others around here. just a heads up. the owner will tell you to use a lighter to fix the frays but it doesnt help much,.

Didnt you have a link with a huge discsussion on these straps? Put me off buying one. Also the price is WAY out of control if you ask me!

[slevin kelevra]

http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=129410

says it all really

[Nicko]

There are always 2 sides to every story. 40 bucks is not a lot in the end. I will try the band, if it's crap then so be it, I really am not too worried, I normally wear the ss bracelet anyway. Review to follow shortly...

Originally Posted by slevin kelevra

Didnt you have a link with a huge discsussion on these straps? Put me off buying one. Also the price is WAY out of control if you ask me!

[alexxelor]

nice shot

[jake]

Hi Everybody,

There is another side to this story.

I am pals with James (Cam), who developed and sells the Corvus Real Bond NATO straps.

I watched him take every step through the development process of the Real Bond NATO, so I can speak intelligently on this issue.

Developing the Real Bond NATO was not easy or inexpensive for James. It is a fact the straps are made by Phoenix in the U.K. Matching the original colors and stripes Sean Connery wore in Goldfinger was not easy, and the minimum production quantities were very high.

James was striving to make a strap that looked slightly vintage which explained the original fraying issue. In other words, they were over-weathered. James assured me the new straps are much better.

If you purchased an early production Real Bond NATO and you are not satisfied with it, contact James and let him know. James is a gentleman and stands behind his product.

For the record, no James Bond actor ever wore a NATO or an RAF. The original Sean Connery wore was a slip-through, so the RAF Corvus is about as close as you can get. James and I had many discussions about width issue, and I argue that you should wear a 20mm on a watch that has 20mm lug opening.

$40 is a relative price. I think it is pretty inexpensive for a product that comes very close to the original. Especially if you are putting it on an original Big Crown Submariner which start around $25,000. Certainly the highly accurate colors that match Sean Connery's regimental colors are far more accurate than the fako grey and black NATOs that are put for as the Bond NATO for colorblind dudes???

I hope this helps.

Jake

Originally Posted by Nicko

There are always 2 sides to every story. 40 bucks is not a lot in the end. I will try the band, if it's crap then so be it, I really am not too worried, I normally wear the ss bracelet anyway. Review to follow shortly...

[jake]

Connery's may have even been 15mm or 14mm? Either way it is misfit if you ask me...

Originally Posted by notaclctr

Actually Bond used a 16mm strap. My old 5513 w/ 20mm lugs (same lug width as the 6538) is fitted with an 18mm strap

[gr8sw]

here's my 5513 on a different Bond strap bought from "aliasrichmond" in the UK... http://forums.watchuseek.com/f319/go...nd-420242.html


Peter

[rdGOnoles]

here is another problem with the Corvus natos, this is a pic i just took, hope you can see the fraying of the hole. thats only 2 weeks of wear.

[slevin kelevra]

Nicko, i'll look forward to pics and a review.

I only commented as Subkings review seem pretty good and its not as if he didnt have pics to back up what he was saying.

If the straps have been upgraded since then thats a good starting point.

They do look good I must admit that.

Let us all know how you get on.

[Nicko]

Originally Posted by slevin kelevra

Nicko, i'll look forward to pics and a review.

I only commented as Subkings review seem pretty good and its not as if he didnt have pics to back up what he was saying.

If the straps have been upgraded since then thats a good starting point.

They do look good I must admit that.

Let us all know how you get on.

Fair enough, will do!

[mountainjogger]

Originally Posted by rdGOnoles

here is another problem with the Corvus natos, this is a pic i just took, hope you can see the fraying of the hole. thats only 2 weeks of wear.

I purchased a black Nato from Corvis and had this same problem with fraying. However, I have not had the problem with the Real Bond I got from Corvus. May be different material.

[Nicko]

Originally Posted by mountainjogger

I purchased a black Nato from Corvis and had this same problem with fraying. However, I have not had the problem with the Real Bond I got from Corvus. May be different material.

Yes, exactly! If you read the Blog on their site, they state the following:

As you all know, the Corvus Real Bond straps are made from an unusually soft and silky material. This provides for exceptional comfort, but there is a trade-off. Fraying can occur, especially around the buckle hole. This happens with all NATO-style straps, but can happen a little quicker with our very soft material.
(NOTE: We are resupplying from a new mill run of webbing. It should be ready in 2-3 weeks. The new stuff will be thicker and more durable, but a little stiffer. I have mixed feelings about this, but I think most people will like the new beefier webbing very much. Still, I will miss the silky soft stuff.)

[slevin kelevra]

NATOs from TSS (http://www.watchworx.co.uk/pages/lwb/NatoG10.htm) dont fray as they have sealed holes.

IMO the material they are made from is spot in, just wish they did a few more colours!