I made a "NATO" out of silk from a silk tie I thrifted. The silk has that nylon weave and substantially structured so the strap doesn't need canvas lining. The strap is thinner than nylon straps and very comfortably sitting on my wrist. It is made out of silk so it is definitely very durable (but delicate when washing). It is like "historically accurate" NATO bedore nylon was invented.

Really like the single pass on the Nighthawk, the tropic and the two tone on the Laco. Really appreciate your reviews and channel. Thank you!

These are very nice looking straps. The angled hardware is a unique tool-like look. I'm a fan of Vario's strap variety. I've been wearing a Square G-shock with their spring bar adapters and a PVD Zulu and have no issues with the glued holes, even 2 years into daily wear.

Single pass all the way, I convert nearly all natos to single pass. Watch on the top, buckle underneath, simple.

@giwangkarap.9913

3 жыл бұрын

Same here!

@michaeleastham3868

3 ай бұрын

Why didn't you just buy a single pass strap then? Plenty out there, they call them Zulus....

@piquetuk

3 ай бұрын

​@@michaeleastham3868Zulu's & NATO's are not the same, I'm not a fan of the Zulu hardware.

@Sokol10

2 ай бұрын

@@michaeleastham3868 ZULU use more ticker cloth and more "heavy" hardware - buckle, keepers; and ZULU too have models with two straps and 4 keepers. ZULU brand and models slight different from NATO was created because a American company register the name NATO in the US market.

Amazing to see some of these watches with a different strap. The Laco looked nice and the Bulova Lunar pilot looked the business. I've not got a big enough collection to worry about Straps, but one NATO might not hurt. These did look good but the Fraying would be an issue. I might try a cheaper NATO first. I also like Sail Cloth, Tropic and Waffle straps. I can see myself buying straps, even though I had no plans to this morning lol.

Luff are awesome, these are a great additions to their range! 💪

Great combinations - nicely chosen. Getting a good match makes all the difference to me.

I like the traditional Nato strap during the heat of the summer because it holds the watch case a bit off my skin, and helps prevent sweat from building up. The adjustable straps you reviewed have piqued my interest. It would be nice to be able to move the bulk of the strap to where it was less visible. When it’s not too warm out, I prefer single pass Zulu style straps, and especially elastic ones as they stretch and shrink with the swelling of my wrist during the day. The Rubber strap you showed on the Orient looks great. I may have to give one a try. Thanks.

I remember when you first started... good for you much success to you.. love those straps , of course the one I really am fond of is the one with the fraying holes... black with beige stripes- so that does have me a bit concerned -I was going to pair that up with the Seiko SRPE 61, I hope it was just a QC issue. Thanks for the review.

12:40 I own a Tissot Supersport Chrono. It came with a stainless bracelet. I received a Tissot branded nylon two piece strap in black that looks amazing paired with the large watch. It has the NATO look without the bulk. Lightweight and extremely comfortable. I do like the look of a classic NATO and, after seeing this, will try. Good informative offering. Thank you!

Hey Dave, I like the look of the Thacker Merali..... when can we expect the review? Checked out their Facebook page love the white dial watch. Oh and the straps review video is awesome! #keepitup lol

Never heard of this brand, thanks for bringing them to my attention, hope all is well Dave 👍

@JusttheWatch

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks! Doing pretty good! How about you?

@thebaldwatchcollector

3 жыл бұрын

@@JusttheWatch not to bad buddy, just consuming plenty of content due to another UK lockdown. Adding plenty of watches to the wish list 😁

the green one and Bond look very nice

Your Bulova Lunar looks fabulous on that leather band. I have a Nighthawk with a black leather with red stitching along each side. It is very stiff. The watch is uncomfortable as the crown bites your wrist. My favorite is a 40mm Bertucci A-2R on black Nato with dual olive stripes outlined with thin red stripes. Extremely comfortable and durable...and cheap. Bashed every day w/o distress, 2yrs.

The design of some elastic straps are even more clean and convenient.

I've always thought that NATO straps are perfectly fine and suit my wrist very well. But one day I took scissors and cut off the bottom part of my cheap NATO strap. And, wow, this really does make sense and adds a lot of comforts. Single-layer straps are definetly worth considering

@andrei-cosmin.popa85

3 жыл бұрын

Totally agree, mate. There's a few brands that make thin, high quality single pass natos.

@JeeGee114

3 жыл бұрын

There are other options than cutting the strap to make them more comfortabel

@edrader

Жыл бұрын

plus you can center the buckle on your wrist

That Bulova is stunning.

I liked the green one on the Nighthawk.

Love a nato, tho use canvas 2 pieces more.. I tend to cut off the extra flap off a nato coz I really dislike the folded bit up the side rather than the bottom.... So these work splendidly for that, however these are a fail as a nato (like nearly all "nato style") coz the point of the nato is to eliminate all points of failure, ie springbars, but the buckle is held on by a springbar rather than being a one piece buckle that's sewn in. The second one, with the adjustable one piece buckle that's single pass, looks spot on tho & I'll look into that one 👌🏻 Cheers 👍🏻👍🏻

These look really good. I've not heard of this brand before.

Hey, still enjoying your content. Keep up the mission

BluShark ‘Pyjama’ stretchy strap. Green, with a red stripe to match my green dial/ bezel Bronze Aquatico Seastar. Lovely.

The Orient on that tropic rubber strap is a great look

That hemel is beautiful!

elastic nato style straps are the way to go! Comfy, No adjusting, thin! ..Not the purdiest, but I have a nylon nato strap for weekends

Having the keeper that's farther away from the buckle be the moving one, should be the new standard for all NATO straps!

I'm not a fan of nato straps, but I'm a huge fan of single pass woven straps of every description - nylon, canvas, perlon... Even single pass leather straps. I'm sick of the metal keepers on single pass straps though. Prefer a fabric keeper. Cheapest Nato Straps are doing some great styles - they have a great eye - but the quality just isn't there...

May be controversial, but for me NATOs are best for quartz and hand-winders, most automatic dive-watches are almost unwearable with them, way too bulky and top-heavy. But I like the look and the general properties, so I got myself a few 2-piece-nylon straps.

@thehorologychannel

3 жыл бұрын

Do agree. It might become a little less noticeable on 22-24mm lug with watches

@andrei-cosmin.popa85

3 жыл бұрын

Try crown & buckle single pass. They have a range of really thin, comfortable straps.

Laco looks sharp af with that strap. Now I'm considering buying a Casablanca..

Definatly get single pass when getting Natos. I've never had an issue with the watch moving up and down the strap unless you wear it really lose. That being said I now prefer the paratrooper strap from cheapest Nato over the regular nato by far. Its similar to the (Marine Nationale strap but way easier to take on and off the watch (no tools required), The stretchy elastic material and infinte adjustment make it the most comfortable strap to wear ever made IMO. I love leather but if I'm doing something where i'm worried about damaging the strap OR the watch won't take or look goofy on leather Paratrooper all day everyday. Most of my Gshocks and Protreks are on Paratroopers. I just put my Rangeman on a deep green with red piping Paratrooper and it looks fantastic.

@michaeleastham3868

3 ай бұрын

It isn't a nato if it's single pass, it's a zulu.

Great video Dave. Like you I hate the side bulk of natos. These are great options.

Belated "Merry Christmas," our Brother!

That blue watch is very cool. And that Laco always makes me want one.

@JusttheWatch

3 жыл бұрын

It's a 43mm, would wear good on a large wrist. Also it's from a new Canadian micro-brand launching on Kickstarter next month!

@halfpastblog

3 жыл бұрын

@@JusttheWatch Oh really? I may have to hit them up. 👍 👍

There is a way to move the bulk of a standard nato to under the wrist instead of the side.

Yeap, for the same reason I dont like Natos; but your input resolves the issue about the look on the side , that smooths it... good option.. tuck it in under the wrist... 👍

Thicker Zulus all the way. Most of us do not have 12" wrists and hate having that 4 inches of useless strap to tuck away (I cut it off most of the time). Zulus for the win.

Marine nationale still the best go to for lightweight straps.

I like a simple nylon strap. Never had one come off.

That's why I buy a 2 piece nato strap. The single pass looks good though. I like the taupe strap on the Bulova...

I’m a huge fan of perlon. All the perks of a nato but much slimmer and easier to wear

I love strap shows!

These look good, what puts me off most NATO's is the buckle sitting at the side of your wrist rather than in the middle, any other suggestions?

I can't stand nato straps, I bought a few nato's a couple years ago and ended up cutting off the second strap . I never wear them.

@anthonysmith2982

3 жыл бұрын

Cutting off the second pass is the best way to wear a nato IMO, but it's hard to better a well designed single pass strap of any fabric or weave. Even leather and 'tropic' rubber single pass straps are great if you are wanting that no BS field watch vibe. But I'm with you - Natos are an over used, over hyped and under performing trend IMO.

@RichardsModellingAdventures

3 жыл бұрын

I like them but always cut off the second strap part

@impact0r

3 жыл бұрын

​@@anthonysmith2982 Two piece NATO is not a NATO. Neither is one layer.

@anthonysmith2982

3 жыл бұрын

@@impact0r Aɴᴅ that relates to ᴍʏ comment how?

@vanguardcoffeehouse

3 жыл бұрын

@@impact0r You are not intelligent.

The extra "bulk" is What makes it. The nato look

The Nautical seems right up my alley, as I love single pass straps, but according to their website, USA delivery is 30-60 days. That's a hard pass. Dave (or anybody else), do you have any further info on shipping time to the US? The straps look great, but there's so many other options out there that I can have delivered within a week etc.

Really like the black rally strap

I love that look of the bulova ... how big is your wrist???

Nice strap, but you can get a similar result with a regular strap just folding the second layer of the strap to the side of the buckle

Hey man could you possibly do a review of the watchgecko sail cloth strap? I’ve seen you’ve done one for artem but the price is a bit too much for me!

Love my nato straps. These look decent, might give one a punt.

My preference would be a Nautical Adjust strap.

An advantage of NATO straps is security from spring bar failure. If one fails you don’t lose your watch as the strap is not broken. Unless there is a spring bar in the buckle which, when it fails means you can lose the watch. I notice most these have spring bars in their buckles.

@wayneholmes637

5 ай бұрын

The original NATO straps don't have any springbars and they are also welded instead of being stitched.

I went to the site and looked for the shelby strap dimensions...but they don’t have it there....do you know the length and thickness

I uses to have a watch on nato strap and gave it to my dad. Im thinking of buying again...

Works like my Haveston strap.

If you're looking for these style straps, nothing beats crown and buckles adjustable Chevron nylon straps.

@iHaejeog

3 жыл бұрын

I have one Crown and Buckle Chevron and the quality is top notch. I wonder what the difference in quality is across different brands with the same style straps though.

@andrei-cosmin.popa85

3 жыл бұрын

+1 C&B fanboi here. I like the chevron strap because it's adjustable, but my favorite is the single pass Nato. Great colors, outstanding build quality, love it!

@watchesandcaps2566

3 жыл бұрын

@@iHaejeog I believe it's the quality of the nylon fibers, the way they're stitched and the hardware is top notch. I've tried a few other brands take on the chevron and none of them have really been able to compare. I just ordered my 4th chevron strap yesterday and I'm usually a bracelet guy.

Acrylic Glass & Nylon Strap Watch It luks Trendy & Casual

Unless you want the extra length to wear your watch over a jacket sleeve, just cut off the excess and lightly burn the end to seal it.

I can’t see the point of a nato strap with a spring bar mounted buckle. The main reason I wear them is because I do a physical job and I like the security of knowing if a spring bar breaks my watch won’t fall to the concrete, get smashed, lost, or stolen. So if your nato has a spring bar buckle that breaks, you’re watch will disappear! I only use natos with solid welded buckles instead. I realise some people who work around dangerous machinery may like that the strap will break-away if your arm gets stuck. That’s just not my situation.

I quite like Luff's elastic straps, although they're looking overpriced as more competitors appear. But these don't do much for me - the tapering taupe is tipped to be my least favourite 8^o

Have you tried the Prometheus Design Werx Nato Straps?

They kind of remind me of the Crown & Buckle Chevron straps.

What about Vario elastic straps. I might order some of them.

I like the green single pass/ person hybrid and wanted an 18mm one for my green snk809, but sadly nothing below 20mm... c’est la vie #keepitup

thanks

The last black strap was the best for me , no i am not a fan of natos, straps they make the watch higher than i really like.

Hey Dave, check out Etsy for leather straps. I got three a couple or months ago. I paid 60-120 bucks and compared them to similarly priced straps from big conpanies and there’s no comparison.

@CaptainBash737

3 жыл бұрын

The Etsy, handmade, small business supplied straps can be really exceptional. 👍🏻

they need to add black keeper options

There's a technique of installing a NATO on a watch that effectively moves the tuck away to the bottom of the wrist. It's still there, but out of sight. That said, I don't like NATOs either, but for different reasons - mainly because it accumulates dirt and sweat easily, smells, and isn't nowhere near as rugged as a steel bracelet. NATOs are very comfortable, though.

@wayneholmes637

5 ай бұрын

I'd say a genuine NATO (no springbars) is far more rugged than a bracelet with its dozens of potential points of failure. The only weak point on the real NATOs is the pin for the buckle.

For my 20mm nato straps, I take a U.S. Nickel and cut away the excess material. The Nickel gives a perfect arch to give a nice symmetrical cut. Then a few seconds over a candle to melt any potential frey. Just make sure that you put the watch on and mark the penetration needed before cutting.... too short and you messed up.

The perfect strap for me is a 1 piece nylon with a nylon keeper like the old military watch style. The nato's hardware makes them too bulky for my taste.

I like that.

I only like Natos on certain watches and only in the summer

I Laos hate NATOs for the same reasons….2 piece NATOs are the only option I would consider.

I don’t like nato straps because of the way they scuff up the back of the watch. Now, maybe if I was still in the military I’d use such a strap for the security aspect.

The olive green strap at 6:03 isn’t new, you can clearly see where a watch has spent a considerable amount of time attached to it.

@JusttheWatch

3 жыл бұрын

I had been testing it for a couple of weeks, before the review. I try to give everything a review some actual wrist time before reviewing it so I get a good feel for it.

How would I wash a used fabric type strap? I don’t want scabies 😂 those rubber straps are great compared to resin type the resin types always tear and break

Whys the xmas tree still up?

Yeh chop the watch slip stop off 👍👍👍

Real NATO straps shouldn't have springbar in buckle. It kinda defeats their purpose...

@stevefox8605

3 жыл бұрын

Absolutely, my pet peeve on "nato style" straps. Good comment 👍🏻👍🏻

@andrei-cosmin.popa85

3 жыл бұрын

Because you're all spec ops and your missions in the jungle and desert will stop you from changing that buckle if you decide to put that Nato on a different watch, perhaps different brush style or even color? Ok

@zbilya2289

3 жыл бұрын

@@andrei-cosmin.popa85 exactly!

Learn the four different ways of using a NATO strap and you'll find there are many options so that they aren't bulky or poking out

After testing a few brands, I'm stuck on crown&buckle. Nevertheless, I appreciate the honest review, so thank you!

What make and model was the blue watch?

@JusttheWatch

3 жыл бұрын

It's a new watch that's about to launch on KickStarter, I think towards the end of next month. Not sure what they're naming it, but the brand is Thacker Merali.

@sblaney66

3 жыл бұрын

@@JusttheWatch Thx. It's a great looking watch!

Great Video. I've hated NATO's for such a long time because of all the extra bulk on the outside of the wrists. I just can't stand that look. Single pass NATO's are the only style I like. On all of my personal NATO's, I've cut the small part (that sits under watch case) completely off, pretty much turning them into single pass. This helps in keeping all the excess strap underneath the wrist.

@michaeleastham3868

3 ай бұрын

If it's a single pass it isn't a nato it's a zulu...

I sort of like perlon straps, but completely stay away from nato's. TGV convinced me to try some a couple of years ago, I wasn't impressed. These days I'm not impressed with him either...

I'm a full on natophile. I only have one watch not on a nato. And, its only a matter of time before that changes. 😂

How to buy that???

@Wessel1109

3 жыл бұрын

Money

Really dislike NATO’s .. you mention the bulk I think the look is cumbersome and ungainly.The metal keepers can be really uncomfortable. Often the nylon isn’t strong enough to hold the head of the watch and causes roll . Will never be for me but some do like them so fair play ...

Yeah, I think full NATO is jusr an annoyance. Single pass gets the same looks with all the fuss. Single pass canvas straps and Marine nationale are generally all I use. So much more practical than a bracelet and two spring bars must fail.

I also do not like the way Nato straps looks on my wrist. But I like two piece a'la nato straps

@vascosaldanha602

3 жыл бұрын

Your wrist is beautiful. Don't understimate yourself ❤️

@darekciech92

3 жыл бұрын

@@vascosaldanha602

@vascosaldanha602

3 жыл бұрын

@@darekciech92 lol

Is this guy the real life Alfred E Newman?

The first few seconds says it all about NATO straps in general. Added bulk and the damned excess strap roll and tuck! Hate it!

I like the single pass and the leather strap. Still don't like the NATOs.

so they make shorter natos...

Nope, you have not changed my mind on natos. Still don't like them, they add unnecessary height. Cool colours though.

@seranadesongs

3 жыл бұрын

Have you checked out a 2 piece nato strap? That's what I use. Then you don't have the extra bulk. It's like a regular watch strap.

@seranadesongs

3 жыл бұрын

Go to clockwork synergy, they have a huge selection of 2 piece nato straps, alot of different color combinations.

@tejab4803

5 ай бұрын

You can modify the nato strap by cutting the extra piece but need to be very careful otherwise you'll end up cutting the main part

Aaaaagh!! 1/3 of the video is out of focus! You're killing me, Dave, killing me.

Blah, blah, blah...why doesn't somebody just make NATO straps shorter? I won't wear NATOs because the "dingleberry" hanging off of the end looks ridiculous.

Hurt your eyes by watching the this video go in and out of focus.

Plz when u make vedios don't put anything on background. That's focus problem out there again n again. That's irritated mostly. Next time i will unsubscribe ur channel. Thanks buddy.

Hmmm. I have bought leather holsters from High Noon. Wonder if it's the same company. They are located in Florida, USA.