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vman · 1 January 2008, 03:55 PM

Happy New Year everybody,

I have seen several watches with NATO straps and this idea really appeals to me... I will be able to have a good sleeper watch and preserver the original bracelet. The idea is to have more than one watch later on with a workhorse on a strap while the ones for special occasions have bracelets. The question is where to get the strap. Will any strap fit?

I found a site that sells them. Does this look like something that can be worn with an SD or GMT II?

Here is the site.

mike · 1 January 2008, 04:24 PM

I've had great luck with the G-10s from Timefactors,

http://www.timefactors.com/nato.htm

JBat · 29 January 2008, 05:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mike

I've had great luck with the G-10s from Timefactors,

I love the look of this strap on the GMT/Submariner.

vman · 1 January 2008, 07:06 PM

This looks awesome. How wide is the strap? The new ones come in 18, 20 and 22mm.

SPACE-DWELLER · 1 January 2008, 07:11 PM

A NATO strap for an SD should be 20 MM in width.

f16570 · 1 January 2008, 11:04 PM

I think the NATO strap looks great, also considered one for my Exp II as the strap has picked up loads of scuffs and marks.

f

Jetrider · 29 January 2008, 04:48 AM

I've found ZULU straps to be the best quality but near impossible to fit on a GMT II or Dweller/Sub (just way too tight) I'm using the new Maratac NATO on my GMT and it fits perfect.

Tools · 29 January 2008, 04:54 AM

Nato straps are one of those things that I guess you have to try out to see if it is something you like......

YuppieKid · 29 January 2008, 02:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tools

Nato straps are one of those things that I guess you have to try out to see if it is something you like......

/

TARDIS · 29 January 2008, 02:33 PM

I think Carbon looks and fits better:

available from
http://www.thewatchprince.com/watch-...ell-watch-band

Cheers
Steve

JBat · 29 January 2008, 03:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TARDIS

I think Carbon looks and fits better:

available from
http://www.thewatchprince.com/watch-...ell-watch-band

Cheers
Steve

That's a great shot of the Coke GMT. I dig the way that watch looks. The strap looks very sharp too.

slojoh · 29 January 2008, 05:00 AM

i have a zulu strap on a sub and it is fine. love the security of the strap.

Ed Rooney · 29 January 2008, 05:04 AM

I had a black NATO on my Sub this weekend and it looked great.

20mm.

ttannert · 29 January 2008, 05:26 AM

I love that pic of the black GMT!

redsrover · 29 January 2008, 12:51 PM

Have tried both the NATO and Zulu straps and I have to say I didn't care for either. The NATO is a classic, but puts the case too high on my wrist, and in the way when active (hung up on backpack straps for one thing). And the Zulu has too much hardware on it with the two rounded steel keepers and the thick rounded steel buckle.

Whatever happened to a meadium weight strap with a flat stainless buckle with nylon strap keeper???

ttannert · 29 January 2008, 05:26 AM

Does anyone have a photo of a Pepsi on a Nato strap??? I would love to see that.

CPCC · 29 January 2008, 01:27 PM

Interesting concept, never seen these before.

TheDude · 29 January 2008, 02:18 PM

The picture in the OP is a zulu strap... I personally like zulus better than NATOs. Maratac is a good brand. I have a grey 24mm on my 'zilla. Custom machined bead-blasted SS "lugs" (the big metal loops). Almost matches the titanium.

applebook · 29 January 2008, 03:22 PM

I agree with Tardis. The Nato is nice, but it adds an extra 2mm or so thickness, which I don't want. I like to feel the steel case against my wrist.

sheldonsmith · 29 January 2008, 03:28 PM

I use the two piece martac straps from http://www.westcoastime.com/

(Yes, the thermometer on the bottom pict says 114 degrees)

-Sheldon

TARDIS · 29 January 2008, 04:03 PM

Yes here's a better shot of the Di Modell carbon strap which is very comfortable:

CPTL · 29 January 2008, 04:33 PM

Those G-10 NATO straps look great. Do the buckle holes hold up? Seems like the tang hole would stretch out or tear rather quickly. Also, do the straps stretch when they get wet?

applebook · 29 January 2008, 04:48 PM

The buckles are industrial strength and are actually tougher than on most other regular straps.

CPTL · 29 January 2008, 05:34 PM

Yes, from the description those buckles do appear tough. I'd expect they are tougher than most things--including the HOLES in the NYLON STRAP.

Do the HOLES hold up through repeated poking and pulling?

1 January 2008, 03:55 PM	#1
vman 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Real Name: Capt Swerve Location: North Carolina Watch: less TV Posts: 2,230	NATO straps Happy New Year everybody, I have seen several watches with NATO straps and this idea really appeals to me... I will be able to have a good sleeper watch and preserver the original bracelet. The idea is to have more than one watch later on with a workhorse on a strap while the ones for special occasions have bracelets. The question is where to get the strap. Will any strap fit? I found a site that sells them. Does this look like something that can be worn with an SD or GMT II? Here is the site.

1 January 2008, 07:11 PM	#5
SPACE-DWELLER "TRF" Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Real Name: Bo Location: Denmark Watch: Rolex, of course! Posts: 22,436	A NATO strap for an SD should be 20 MM in width. __________________ With kind regards, Bo LocTite 221: The Taming Of The Screw...

29 January 2008, 04:54 AM	#8
Tools TRF Moderator & 2024 SubLV41 Patron Join Date: May 2007 Real Name: Larry Location: Mojave Desert Watch: GMT's Posts: 43,496	Nato straps are one of those things that I guess you have to try out to see if it is something you like...... __________________ (Chill ... It's just a watch Forum.....) NAWCC Member

29 January 2008, 05:26 AM	#14
ttannert "TRF" Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Real Name: Tim Location: Ohio Watch: SS Black Daytona Posts: 872	I love that pic of the black GMT! __________________ The greatest luxury in life is time; treasure every second. __________________ My Collection: SS Rolex M Black Daytona SS Rolex V Black Milgauss GV SS Rolex M Black Milgauss TT Rolex Z White MOP Datejust SS Rolex M Coke GMT II SS Tag Heuer Black Kirium Chronometer

29 January 2008, 12:51 PM	#15
redsrover "TRF" Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Georgia Watch: Rolex GMTMaster II Posts: 432	Have tried both the NATO and Zulu straps and I have to say I didn't care for either. The NATO is a classic, but puts the case too high on my wrist, and in the way when active (hung up on backpack straps for one thing). And the Zulu has too much hardware on it with the two rounded steel keepers and the thick rounded steel buckle. Whatever happened to a meadium weight strap with a flat stainless buckle with nylon strap keeper??? __________________ Rolex Explorer 14270, OMEGA Seamaster, OMEGA Speedmaster Professional, OMEGA Speedmaster Professional X-33, Sinn EZM3, IWC Mark XII, Tudor Heritage BB36

1 January 2008, 04:24 PM	#2
mike "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 22,683	I've had great luck with the G-10s from Timefactors, http://www.timefactors.com/nato.htm

1 January 2008, 07:06 PM	#4
vman 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Real Name: Capt Swerve Location: North Carolina Watch: less TV Posts: 2,230	This looks awesome. How wide is the strap? The new ones come in 18, 20 and 22mm.

1 January 2008, 11:04 PM	#6
f16570 "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Real Name: F Location: Scotland Watch: Exp II White Face Posts: 4,272	I think the NATO strap looks great, also considered one for my Exp II as the strap has picked up loads of scuffs and marks. f

29 January 2008, 04:48 AM	#7
Jetrider 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Real Name: JLo Location: NY Watch: Rolex DeepSea Posts: 190	I've found ZULU straps to be the best quality but near impossible to fit on a GMT II or Dweller/Sub (just way too tight) I'm using the new Maratac NATO on my GMT and it fits perfect.

29 January 2008, 02:33 PM	#10
TARDIS "TRF" Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Real Name: Steve Location: Queensland, AUST Posts: 2,003	I think Carbon looks and fits better: available from http://www.thewatchprince.com/watch-...ell-watch-band Cheers Steve

29 January 2008, 05:00 AM	#12
slojoh Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: az Posts: 283	i have a zulu strap on a sub and it is fine. love the security of the strap.

29 January 2008, 05:04 AM	#13
Ed Rooney "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Annapolis, MD Watch: Sea-Dweller 16600 Posts: 5,081	I had a black NATO on my Sub this weekend and it looked great. 20mm.

29 January 2008, 01:27 PM	#17
CPCC "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Real Name: Bill Location: USA Posts: 1,857	Interesting concept, never seen these before. __________________

29 January 2008, 02:18 PM	#18
TheDude "TRF" Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: DC Area, USA Watch: IIc,1680 Red,16660 Posts: 4,492	The picture in the OP is a zulu strap... I personally like zulus better than NATOs. Maratac is a good brand. I have a grey 24mm on my 'zilla. Custom machined bead-blasted SS "lugs" (the big metal loops). Almost matches the titanium.

29 January 2008, 03:22 PM	#19
applebook "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: vancouver Posts: 1,918	I agree with Tardis. The Nato is nice, but it adds an extra 2mm or so thickness, which I don't want. I like to feel the steel case against my wrist.

29 January 2008, 03:28 PM	#20
sheldonsmith 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Member 202♛ Posts: 1,815	I use the two piece martac straps from http://www.westcoastime.com/ (Yes, the thermometer on the bottom pict says 114 degrees) -Sheldon __________________

29 January 2008, 04:03 PM	#21
TARDIS "TRF" Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Real Name: Steve Location: Queensland, AUST Posts: 2,003	Yes here's a better shot of the Di Modell carbon strap which is very comfortable:

29 January 2008, 04:33 PM	#22
CPTL "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Real Name: Kevin Location: Texas on my mind Watch: Sub Date; SS/WG DJ Posts: 2,445	Those G-10 NATO straps look great. Do the buckle holes hold up? Seems like the tang hole would stretch out or tear rather quickly. Also, do the straps stretch when they get wet?

29 January 2008, 04:48 PM	#23
applebook "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: vancouver Posts: 1,918	The buckles are industrial strength and are actually tougher than on most other regular straps.

29 January 2008, 05:34 PM	#24
CPTL "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Real Name: Kevin Location: Texas on my mind Watch: Sub Date; SS/WG DJ Posts: 2,445	Yes, from the description those buckles do appear tough. I'd expect they are tougher than most things--including the HOLES in the NYLON STRAP. Do the HOLES hold up through repeated poking and pulling?

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