Whats your take on Nato Straps for Rolex Watches

[SS Oyster]

No


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[phrede]

I had my 116600 on a Nato once.
Now I am more on a tropic or Erika’s:

[phrede]

And yes, it is not the same watch, I sold and bought the 116600 many times…. :-s

[bt1]

I would have never considered a NATO strap on a Rolex, but it looks sharp!

[SOG DIVER]

A bit surprised at the cosmetic responses, since there are no Royal Navy or SBS-Royal Marines history replies. The purpose of the NATO band is to secure the watch infinitely better than the OE bracelet or virtually any other design. The Royal Navy divers were first to use them as a military unit.

The new Submariner book by Foulkes actually shows a NATO band attached to a 5517
Submariner, which had permanent/soldered spring bars. The idea is to protect the watch from loss, no matter the depth or circumstance.
Ask the real SCUBA or hard hat salvage divers which band style they prefer. With ANY design, including the OE Rolex bracelet that attaches directly to the spring bar,
any violent accidental loss of the spring bar
may result in a lost watch -particularly at night or in deep water.

Then there are leather bands that reek-and can hardly be washed with success.

[effovex]

For some activities and situations, natos are very practical.

From a military/tool watch perspective, natos and nylon straps have always been used and get the job done quite well.

As others have said, 4 and 5 digits look the best on natos, esp if they have drilled lugs so you don’t have to worry about the spring bar flange catching on an errant fiber of nylon and disengaging. Even if that does happen, it’s a nato, so you’ll still have the watch on!

[geoach]

get a single pass and cut to not have the over fold much better to me

[Old Expat Beast]

Soldered springbars or not, I’d be more worried about that little pin buckle breaking under stress.

[SOG DIVER]

A good point as to the cheaper band pin buckles. However, the military issue and top quality NATO versions are robust across the spectrum. Whether the OE bracelet, a rubber or nylon band...all have their weak points. The NATO quality band, however, at least eliminates watch loss due to a failed or lost springbar. Even a quality single pass nylon band may give the watch and wearer a safe port in a storm.

It becomes a personal decision ultimately, but when SCUBA diving or over water-
I prefer to err on the side of caution.

[subtona]

Originally Posted by SOG DIVER

A good point as to the cheaper band pin buckles. However, the military issue and top quality NATO versions are robust across the spectrum. Whether the OE bracelet, a rubber or nylon band...all have their weak points. The NATO quality band, however, at least eliminates watch loss due to a failed or lost springbar. Even a quality single pass nylon band may give the watch and wearer a safe port in a storm.

It becomes a personal decision ultimately, but when SCUBA diving or over water-
I prefer to err on the side of caution.

Appreciate a nato straps unique ability to carry on with one springbar.
Never personally experienced OEM spring bar failure.
How common is it?

I have experienced many screws backing out.

[Giovannibravo]

Tudor is for NATO strap. Oh do I love their fabric straps.

[worldofoyster]

it looks great and works well on the sub and explorer, both references not so much

[Giankey]

looks nice, might try it also!

[S’portEye]

Problem with NATO is if you use the same shouldered springbars that rolex and tudor come with. I had a double springbar failure with my pelagos 39 on nato last spring on a hunting trip. It happens, I was lucky to notice it right away. User error, for maximum safety use non shouldered springbars. You will have to cut them off if there are no lug holes.

[SOG DIVER]

It has happened, including a heavy-reeled boat fisherman in halibut water near
the Canadian-Alaska border. Owner put a reward out and got his watch back through
a dredging operation crew.
My judgment from years spent on and under the water is the more active usage like diving, sailing, or any military applications need a quality band, preferably at least a NATO or single pass quality nylon band.
A glance at an OE bracelet, typical rubber strap, or leather band fastened directly to the
spring bar indicates the potential loss.
Rolex provides quality SS springbars and SS internal springs, BUT any springbar may fail under serious pressure stress-its the weak link.

All of my Submariners are either vintage or discontinued models, with drilled lugs-
so I do replace springbars at service intervals, as they are used as originally intended and salt water is unforgiving of time, depth and error.

[Dom9]

Typing with a Sub on a NATO... I love them but 'for a change', bracelet most of the time.

[Afratello03]

Not really a fan of Nato strap, but it looks good on older Rolex watches IMO.

[yowlie]

I'm a huge NATO fan for swimming, diving, and daily life. I can't sleep with a Rolex Bracelet. A NATO takes off an ounce and the sharp edges. My dad has been wearing a 5513 on a NATO 24 hours a day for 17 years. But yes we have to bust out the dish soap when he visits. But they don't dry fast, and I do not recommend one with a springbar in the buckle or that seatbelt strap nylon. Those are both recipes for a missing watch.

[chazadams]

Not a fan but tried it one or two times. The glide lock bracelet is just too good and part of the wearing experience IMO.


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[Flintstone]

I recently saw a front end bra on a Maserati—so yeah, I guess a NATO on a Rolex is doable.