Nato strap disadvantage?

[El Cascarrabias]

Will the Nato strap cause more stress on the Rolex spring bars than the Rolex bracelet?

[Tools]

"stress" can be measured in a variety of ways.
The NATO will put pressure during a pull or lateral stress force at the edges because of it's torsional flex. This may pull out a spring-bar by collapsing it. Also, lateral motion (back and forth) from a NATO will also collapse the spring-bar. These forces are not there with a solid bracelet.

Original NATO equipped watches were built with solid welded-in-place bars and so these forces were not a concern.

Get yourself a NATO because you like the looks and history, not because you believe that it is somehow "safer" than the bracelet.

[El Cascarrabias]

Thanks!

Did not know that about the original NATO.

I bought a 3 ring Maratac for my Casio while I'm making a decision regarding the purchase of an Exp II. I've found it to be very comfortable and would seriously consider putting the Rolex bracelet back in the box in favor of a strap.

[Time Exposure]

Don't forget the wear to the back lid. Found these searching "NATO strap damage."

[El Cascarrabias]

Interesting pix.

Thanks!

[RollieVerde]

Originally Posted by Tools

"stress" can be measured in a variety of ways.
The NATO will put pressure during a pull or lateral stress force at the edges because of it's torsional flex. This may pull out a spring-bar by collapsing it. Also, lateral motion (back and forth) from a NATO will also collapse the spring-bar. These forces are not there with a solid bracelet.

Original NATO equipped watches were built with solid welded-in-place bars and so these forces were not a concern.

Get yourself a NATO because you like the looks and history, not because you believe that it is somehow "safer" than the bracelet.

Larry, that's very interesting indeed. You have any links to something that might illustrate this? I had no idea the stress on straps vs bracelets were so different. I did always think that as good as a NATO is, if one spring bar breaks, I wondered if there was enough stress on the band it would break the other as well, if whatever broke the first one was now putting twice the load on the remaining bar.
If that makes sense.

[ndsleep612]

Recently I purchased a NATO strap from "*bay" and found that the tongue on the buckle is thinner than the previous NATO straps I purchased in the past. The narrowness of the tongue buckle allows LOTS of play with wiggling the tongue and a possible breakage if a lot of force/stress was put on pulling of the watch head.

Buyers beware with all those NATO straps for sale nowadays.

[Tools]

Originally Posted by RollieVerde

Larry, that's very interesting indeed. You have any links to something that might illustrate this? I had no idea the stress on straps vs bracelets were so different. I did always think that as good as a NATO is, if one spring bar breaks, I wondered if there was enough stress on the band it would break the other as well, if whatever broke the first one was now putting twice the load on the remaining bar.
If that makes sense.

It's not a case of the spring-bar breaking. It is physics that you can demonstrate yourself. Hold the case firmly, pull down on the strap and wiggle it back and forth vigorously. The spring-bar will collapse as it is designed and pop out of the hole. (this is more difficult on the older cases with holes and non-shouldered spring bars)

It's the same technique that old watchmakers have done for decades for taking off old straps - no tools needed.

[Eric88]

I've never felt comfortable wearing a NATO strap on a non lug hole case.

[Cesium133]

I'm sure a NATO can fail under the right circumstances, but I wear them on a regular basis and have never had an issue.

[ltmgeller]

You learneded me something

[Tools]

Originally Posted by Cesium133

I'm sure a NATO can fail under the right circumstances, but I wear them on a regular basis and have never had an issue.

I certainly don't think that they are prone to failure any more than any other strap that can move back and forth.

However, we have had dozens of "stories" of how their watch was "saved" when they noticed that it was hanging by only one side of the NATO strap. My belief is that if it was on a bracelet that spring bar would not have come out, it did because of the flex and friction of the NATO.

Still, there are probably thousands in use without issue..

[cangelosijeff]

Another option should you be concerned regarding loss would be shoulderless springbars, as seen on my Exp II. Keep in mind with no lug holes these have to be cut to be removed.

[Majin Buu]

Great information here!

Thanks

MB

[evilfij]

I can't see both failing at the same time. My aged jubilee I never wear my watch out the window of my car, but on a NATO I have zero concerns.

[Rashid.bk]

Natos are cool and maybe comfy but I prefer the security of a bracelet.
If I ever did use a nato on a Rolex it would be on fixed spring bars or a lug hole model with stronger springbars.

[RollieVerde]

Originally Posted by Tools

It's not a case of the spring-bar breaking. It is physics that you can demonstrate yourself. Hold the case firmly, pull down on the strap and wiggle it back and forth vigorously. The spring-bar will collapse as it is designed and pop out of the hole. (this is more difficult on the older cases with holes and non-shouldered spring bars)

It's the same technique that old watchmakers have done for decades for taking off old straps - no tools needed.

That makes sense. It just goes to show you there are pluses and minuses whenever you change things. Thanks for the info.