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Hey Industrial Design Guy, do you know if a supplier (other than Omega) sells the striped NATO strap on the new Omega in the upcoming "No Time To Die" movie...? Cheers and thanks for all the incredible videos and cerebral insights on watch designs and their history. www.google.com/search?q=no+time+to+die+nato+strap&hl=en-US&client=ms-android-samsung-ss&tbm=isch&tbs=rimg:CUwauebDnOGRIkBLUrNWKCf_1DnF0X8Wh7_1QgzDGRnb2tdx8GHtIgWIhJLq2Gi9QU2PkXyD_1SZv_1s-O41X8BK3wu08bwuXfAQfuaLKhIJS1KzVign_1w4RcfSDZrmkSpQqEglxdF_1Foe_10IBFlAw0zk7PIfCoSCcwxkZ29rXcfEbTcAccmRs0TKhIJBh7SIFiISS4RkXVAyMJgrfgqEgmthovUFNj5FxF9NK_17eGCs6yoSCcg_10mb_17PjuEaP_1ZJXpzWNQKhIJNV_1ASt8LtPERGFBNW5vRWtgqEgm8Ll3wEH7mixEgd9WrjUOF-mG_1NoMBIKCfxg&tbo=u&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjU8u_Q_KznAhX5kHIEHQ3XCeQQuIIBegQIARAz&biw=360&bih=668&dpr=4#imgrc=mwngikL5_9LHqM
Before trying them, I too had doubts about the NATO. However, after getting one on a watch deal I can confirm the comfort and security it gives the watch wear experience. I've since added a bunch to my watch tool tin. My personal recommendation: put your Amphibia on a colour matched NATO. Their steel bracelet is painful so you lose nothing in trying.
With regard to omega natos it needs to be mentioned that they ask 155 bucks which is completely out of proportion for nylon, one of the cheapest materials in the industry. They call it Polyamid on their website to hide this but it is just nylon.
Here’s a pro tip... Wear your NATO strap backwards so the buckle is on the inside of your wrist. This way your wrist won’t rest on the buckle when sitting at a desk. The wrist naturally rests ever so slightly on the outside of your wrist. Theirs makes the NATO that more comfy.
Absolutely love NATO straps. I wore a standard grey one on a Seiko Gen 1 RAF chrono throughout the 90’s. So comfortable and also one less worry. I never worried about damaging my watches bracelet. If something happened to the NATO, I just threw it away and slipped a new one on the watch. They are so cheap in comparison to a damaged bracelet. The newer colourways that are appearing on NATO straps these days are (as you have pointed out) a great way to personalise the look of your watch. Yet another great video here my friend. ✊
Always a pleasure reading your comments brother! And I hope you enjoy Thursday's surprise. It's on the desktop and ready to be uploaded - I'm just working out a slick and catchy title, which usually takes two days of brainstorming ;)
I love nato strap so much. I went from a g-Shock to a seiko SRPD. I regretted at first because the bracelet was very uncomfortable, compared to the lighter g-shock rubber band i was used to. It was especially uncomfortable when typing on a desk. I changed to a nato and i absolutely love it, the watch feels 2 times lighter, and i don't even notice it on my hand. I especially love sleeping with it because i don't feel it anymore. Im never going back to bracelets.
Another fabulous video! Thank you, ID Guy. I couldn't appreciate G10 straps until I saw the Bond Omega iteration. Now, I can't get enough of them. Please keep up the glorious content. It is appreciated.
It's always a pleasure Marcelo. All of these videos are an equal part of work and play ;) I'm so glad you enjoyed it and thank you so much for your comment!
Tool watches naturally lend themselves to the NATO strap, and in some cases the straps actually enhance the look of the watch reinforcing the idea that these watches are built for rugged outdoor wearing!
love Nato straps, i find them so comfortable and have the greatest colour choices compared to other types, i have them on all my watches including Omegas and Brietlings.
As a hairy armed guy who could never find a right fitting titanium band that didn't pinch, NATO bands are a lifesaver for me, especially out in the wild when I'm hiking or backpacking and need my Protrek.
NATO Recommendations: x Olive Green (Seatbelt) x Khaki (Zulu) x Navy Blue (Seatbelt) x Original Bond RAF (Geckota) x Admiralty Grey (Phoenix) x MN Elastic Strap (Erica’s Originals) x Omega / Tudor Straps
IDGuy definitely agree omega straps are made and look great. Phoenix brand is definitely the only way to get traditional British military grey other brands grey color just always seem off. Also look into brands that offer different lengths not all brands fit myself well like Crown and buckle straps don’t have enough holes on the strap for my 6.5” wrist. So their straps are too large and Barton uses a fabric loop to hold the extra strap against your wrist. Looks nice but unfortunately doesn’t move so can not be adjusted sometimes leaving an awkward amount of strap sticking out.
@@Peter-tc3ep I made a video called the "Over-Under Technique" eons ago where I make the standard Nato wear like a single piece (keeping all of the excess material at the bottom where a clasp would be) I highly recommend you watch it (because my wrists fluctuate in size and it's helped me so much. Be warned, the video is long winded and ad libbed hahaha!
I wear my Seamaster 300 on the Omega black grey Spectre style nato strap.... Extremely great quality and very comfortable. Makes the watch look so much better too!
Used to dislike them (was a bracelet only wearer) but now love 'em.. Comfortable with a bit of style & endless variety. Currently wearing my sarb017 on a Connery Bond 😎 Cheers 👍🏻👍🏻
Because of recommendation from a buddy from work I went to NATO straps. Thanks for clarifying that the watch band doesn't have anything to do with actual Nato but classic styling. I wear all nato straps on my time pieces.
At first I was hesitant, but after getting my first vintage Rolex (delivered sans bracelet), I became a convert. NATO straps are both comfortable, secure, and stylish in their own right. The straps are also cheap and easy to swap out. Love them!
The comfortablity of nato is so underrated. It is just so much more comfortable with it, i don't even feel the watch on my hand anymore and now sleep with it every day.
I find NATO straps to be very practical and comfortable. With the buckle sitting on the side of your wrist is way more comfortable than having it on the bottom as with metal bracelets and the huge clasp digging into your wrist. If they get dirty, put them in the wash and they are good as new. Plus, they are lighter than a solid link bracelet and can be worn in any weather conditions from extreme heat to extreme cold. Why buy a strap from Omega and pay hundreds of dollars when you can get the same quality from Crown & Buckle for a fraction of the price. Check out their Supreme straps. Mulled buckle and keepers and seatbelt nylon.
Purchased a speedy pro around six months ago and have worn it on a number of NATO straps*, however a few weeks ago I decided to change things up and put it on the metal bracelet for the first time, it completely changes the look and fit of the watch and although I enjoyed wearing on the bracelet I find myself back to a NATO strap having watched this video earlier today. *I opted for the Omega NATO’s given the quality, finish and wearability of them, only downside is the price. Great video!
I like the material but not the extra thickness under the watch or the excess strap folded back at the top of the watch. After getting a 2-piece nylon strap with quick release spring bars I don't think I'll ever buy another NATO. It's khaki and looks great on my ageing dive watch, but because the fabric has a tight weave and a slight sheen, it also wears well with my white-dial dress watch, which surprised me to say the least! I'd never wear the same colour NATO on that watch, because it those give a watch a more rough-and-ready personality. The 2-piece is more versatile.
I worked out a method (and made a video about it - calling it something like the "Over-Under Technique" that turns the Nato into a single pass (and all the excess material rests at the base of the strap - where a clasp would be) but they are amazing things in any case. Nowadays I wear them to dress up my watches (which is quite strange) haha! Thanks for the comment brother!
Tony Hill's post is the historically correct account of the origin of the strap. But these straps had a purpose for which they were designed and only alluded to in the commentary. They were designed specifically to prevent the watch being lost or damaged if a spring bar broke, which was a common thing for a working military watch subjected to knocks and getting caught or tangled in bushes etc. I have three watches on Nato's and I wear mine with the twin loops on the 6 o/clock side, instead of the more common 12 o/clock side.
I think in the last few years I became a G10 purist. I was searching the net for different types of high-quality seat belt Natos from different suppliers in different colors. In the end, I found Cabot Watch Company that still sells the Phoenix G10 as well as their own CWC G10 strap. After trying them both I must say the CWC is by far the best and most comfortable G10 strap I have ever owned. While I guess the Phoenix stays pretty true to the originals issued in the 70s, it is very soft but also the holes start to fray very quickly (which CWC was pretty open about it) the CWC is a more modern interpretation that holds up way better while still being very comfy. Both the Phoenix in Admiralty Grey as well as the CWC in Nato Grey go well with everything. I don't think that I will need any other G10 strap than those. And if it worked for the SBS, it sure works for me ;-)
I suggest buying some of the very inexpensive 5 or 6 strap sets on Amazon. They're mediocre quality, but they cost about $3 US each when purchased this way, and they provide an opportunity to try various colors on your watches so you can decide what you like best. Once you've settled, then select higher quality straps in the same colors, and save the Amazon straps for your beater watches.
Every watch I own that I truly care about is on a nato. I highly recommend them! Another plus is they help keep the watchback off your skin if you happen to have nickel allergies such as I do. Even stainless steel contains traces of nickel!
I never used a NATO strap in the 80s when I was a soldier as the G1098 watches were old hat and we all had digital watches that beeped continually. The stripey NATO straps were originally copies of regimental stable belts which some of guys liked. But be careful folks, don't walk into a pub wearing a Guards Division watch strap, unless you are an ex Guardsman. I have a nice olive green NATO for the summer , if it gets sweaty, I put it in the washing machine.
I love wearing nato straps, it really changes the look of my watches. I personally find seatbelt natos the most comfortable. Natos from Cincy Strap Co are my favourite - they have outlasted all of my other nato straps. Thank you for another excellent video Guy :)
I've seen NATOs for several years now, but never, ever considered wearing one. I had no idea that I would like them until I bought my first (a Bond NATO) a few months. They are much cooler than I thought. They really do change up the look and in a good way. It's weird because whenever I saw them on another dude's wrist, I thought they were ugly and asymmetrical.
Your experience is the same as mine. I thought the same thing, that they looked ugly and asymmetrical on the wrists of others. Some of the asymmetry can be dealt with by using an alternative method of threading the strap. While I still don’t think a nato looks quite as good as a leather strap or a bracelet, a nato is more comfortable than either, and they still look pretty good. After purchasing my first natos a couple weeks ago I’m a convert. I love how inexpensive they are, how easy it is to swap them out, and all the different colors to choose from.
Excellent video as always! I am a huge fan of NATO staps! Comfortable, durable and stylish etc. - and I am wearing my Seiko 'King Samurai' Save The Ocean SRPE33K1 with a black/grey Bond OMEGA NATO strap.
Great video. I love NATO straps. I thought you were about to make a statement at the end of the video that you would be releasing a line of IDGuy NATO’s yourself 😁👍
Ah Mark, I've been trying to have them made but still cannot find a manufacturer to pull them off properly (it's a very technical weave) Maybe with enough funds and finding a good in-house weaver (in France) would make all the difference. Thank you for the comment as always brother!
@@ID-Guy :D Just got back from buying a Steinhart OVM 42mm. Dealer had no Bond-strap, so I took an olive green one which fits the watch very nicely. The only downside is taking off the bracelet with those simple springbar-tools. I guess with more practice it becomes easier, but, man.. Or perhaps it's just good form to be cursing like a sailor when you're working on a replica RN-watch... ;)
I’ve decided to try my Save the Ocean Turtle on a Bond Grey/Black stripe NATO after watching this. Blues and blacks together have been an aesthetic theme for me lately...
Arik Johnson The STO turtle has some gray on the dial so it should look good. I put a Navy blue rubber Seiko strap on my Turtle. For some reason I didn’t care much for the steel bracelet.
And Cheers to you ID Guy for showing the alternative over under technique for wearing the NATO a couple of years ago. It takes away the bulk of the usual method of wearing the NATO. Is the link in the description? It should be.
You've reminded me that I should maybe revisit the video and make it quicker and more streamlined... but that is literally how I wear all of my Nato's at this point in time haha! (and odds are the nato video will be recommended with this one... it almost has half a million bloody views... I just don't get it...) Thank you as always Matthew!
My entire watch box is on NATO straps. Even my Gshocks. I have a drawer full of them. I've tried bracelets, leather, rubber, silicone, but I always go back to the mighty NATO.
I use NATOs exclusively as I don’t like other types at all...nor do I want to lose my watch in a river, lake, ocean, or forest. Grey and khaki are by far my most used colours in the seatbelt material of 1.4mm thick. For a luxurious feel I use 1.2mm thick in the same material in various colours. Isn’t it odd, for “luxury” you always seem to get less for your money. ;)
Dare I say one of your best ever ? Right up there with a young Armand in his pomp , immersed in detail . It does help that it features MY Pusser's G10 strap . 18mm to fit the dreaded CWC . Can't wait for the MN Tudor vid ;) ... Reason behind the "Destro " ( LHD) ones ? Depth gauge and compass were worn on the left ....allegedly ...lastly Carl at semi retired Gas Gas Bones is worth a shout if you are a fan of nylon.
I have become a big fan of NATO’s over the years, not just in nylon, but in all types of materials including leather & even kangaroo 🦘 leather. I prefer my NATO to be thinner so the 1.2mm over the standard 1.4mm but on Occassion the more robust version is a better alternative. I also love a custom made NATO or an OEM NATO like from Omega for example. Great 👍 VLOG as always @IDGuy on a very popular subject.
Thank you as always Blueshirt! I made a video eons ago that makes the two piece nato become a single pass (called it something like the "Over Under Technique") Generally I always wear my strap that way (not the generic way)
The SOLE thing i dislike about NATOs is that unmodified ones aren't to kind on large watches on top of these two layers of material. Otherwise it's a nice, unique and historical concept.
I'm still on the fence on trying one..I just don't like the huge keepers on them and how it sticks out so much on the far side of the wrist when it's tucked in..it looks like you have a big bump on your wrist sticking out..
I freeze up when purchasing due to uncertainty of how the strap will actually look. One of these strap companies needs to invest in technology to upload photos or search for your watch and then show it with the strap of your liking. It would increase buyer confidence which increases sales and would have a positive impact on returns.
I’m not sure I’d refer to the “Vintage Bond” pattern worn by Sean Connery in “Goldfinger” as “RAF”. Bond was a Royal Navy Officer, possibly a former commando in the Special Boat Service, but not the Royal Air Force.
I've never tried a nato strap before, I've always just kept my watches on the supplied bracelets or leather straps they come with.... Maybe I should buy some nato straps next instead of another watch
I've always liked them, but they I have a few mil watches in my collection with fixed bars so goes without saying. Phoenix NATO have gone downhill in recent years but I'm told the CWC branded ones are equal to the Phoenix of old so I must get some. I mainly use Condor NATO straps which are great for the money. The Omega ones are very expensive but nothing competes with the quality.
One thing that no one is talking about is the size of the watch you want to put on nato. It works only for watches smaller than your typical max size! In diameter and height. If your max is 42mm then for nato it would be 40mm. If you prefer up to 14mm thickness, than with nato you should stick with 12mm or thinner...
do you get into a discussion on quality of these things anywhere else? The conundrum I seem to be hearing is 'Phoenix quality in bad, but its the only way to get the real Admiralty grey vintage look'. My watches are Rolex, so that rules out Omega straps...help?
I will only put nato on cheap watches. I had nato on my Daytona and Sea-Dweller. After a few months I switched to the bracelets, and had to polish the backs of the watches with some 3K grit wet/dry paper because the nato had left marks.
Phew, a Nato on a Daytona... that's bold, Ryver! But totally understandable. They are things to try and they suit the more hardy, tool watches in any case. Thank you for mentioning the caseback! I've heard that they can be extremely abrasive over time.
Leather NATO's I kind of, sort of class into a different category (this video was really to highlight the effectiveness of Nylon with straps) But leather straps need to be highlighted in another episode! Thank you for the suggestion Flippin ;)
Crown and Buckle has a Chevron strap line which mimics Tudor. They are fantastic. They have natos that are seatbelt style which were a disappointment. I prefer their premium natos.
NATO straps are great way to use on almost every watch excluding dress watch. However, the Hamilton khaki pilot pioneer mechanical/W10 makes it seems dressy in admiral gray nato straps.
I disagree. Most Orient Bambino watches come with horrible faux crock leather bands. I replaced mine with an burgundy NATO. Looks killer now. And that is not the only occasion where a NATO improved the look on one of my dress watches.
Omega straps are nice but the new Tudor straps are amazing to me. By far my favorite style of fabric strap as I much prefer a single pass to a double pass as the thickness it adds to a watch and how high off the wrist it sits really bugs me.
I tried on a NATO, the most uncomfortable thing I've ever had the misfortune of wearing. That loop on the side gets snagged on everything and forget about putting on a jacket. Cheers
I have to direct you to my "Over-Under Technique" video that I made eons ago that helps with the wearing of the straps. I agree they can get in the way (but my method helps to keep them neat and tidy) ;) Thanks as always for the comment Derek!
I wear my Seamaster 300 8800 on leather and Omega original NATO strap and barely on bracelet as i do not like the design of it, unlike on PO 8500 which has nice bracelet but that one I mostly wear on rubberish strap from Omega for it.
The strap Bond wears is NOT a NATO strap; it’s an RAF strap, which you incorrectly say is a sub-type of NATOs. RAFs are just a type of single-piece nylon strap. NATOs are a very specific kind of nylon strap, not a generic term for all nylon straps. Also, its underlying colour is not black, but dark navy.
I love NATOs , and I got an Omega NATO, based on it's unique color pattern, but once strapping it on, the sharp edges of the hard ware on the Omega makes it horribly uncomfortable, and it actually diggs into the wrist. Really unfortunate since it was such a nice pattern, and the price I paid :(
I don't like nato because of the loop on the side. it's a distract from the watch design and make it look big. however i do like perlon on field watches. I find them match the watches very well. otherwise i will keep it on a bracelet specially on a diver. but it would be fun to change the colors everyday if you have a strap monster of watch which i don't currently
The Tricolour NATO's deserve a shout-out in their own right. France? Italy? Germany? Russia? Netherlands? Austria? We got you covered! 2€ on AliExpress.
Personally I don’t see nato straps as all that sporty. I usually wear just an oyster bracelet, but o really wanted a more sporty watch I would just use rubber.
This is the only reference I have ever seen that a NATO strap can be used for formal dress. The NATO strap is a casual item, and as such is not appropriate for formal dress. Leather is appropriate for formal dress, as mentioned in any proper fashion etiquette guide.
Could you help me please (anybody)? What is the series number of that nice Pulsar at 0:41? Or where can I find it? (I've searched at some places but no success.)
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Hey IDGuy, I think you should check out Glashutte original watches. They are very german
Hey Industrial Design Guy, do you know if a supplier (other than Omega) sells the striped NATO strap on the new Omega in the upcoming "No Time To Die" movie...? Cheers and thanks for all the incredible videos and cerebral insights on watch designs and their history.
www.google.com/search?q=no+time+to+die+nato+strap&hl=en-US&client=ms-android-samsung-ss&tbm=isch&tbs=rimg:CUwauebDnOGRIkBLUrNWKCf_1DnF0X8Wh7_1QgzDGRnb2tdx8GHtIgWIhJLq2Gi9QU2PkXyD_1SZv_1s-O41X8BK3wu08bwuXfAQfuaLKhIJS1KzVign_1w4RcfSDZrmkSpQqEglxdF_1Foe_10IBFlAw0zk7PIfCoSCcwxkZ29rXcfEbTcAccmRs0TKhIJBh7SIFiISS4RkXVAyMJgrfgqEgmthovUFNj5FxF9NK_17eGCs6yoSCcg_10mb_17PjuEaP_1ZJXpzWNQKhIJNV_1ASt8LtPERGFBNW5vRWtgqEgm8Ll3wEH7mixEgd9WrjUOF-mG_1NoMBIKCfxg&tbo=u&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjU8u_Q_KznAhX5kHIEHQ3XCeQQuIIBegQIARAz&biw=360&bih=668&dpr=4#imgrc=mwngikL5_9LHqM
I joined your patreon.
Before trying them, I too had doubts about the NATO. However, after getting one on a watch deal I can confirm the comfort and security it gives the watch wear experience.
I've since added a bunch to my watch tool tin. My personal recommendation: put your Amphibia on a colour matched NATO. Their steel bracelet is painful so you lose nothing in trying.
Who knew you could romanticize the nato strap so much! Well done my man!
With regard to omega natos it needs to be mentioned that they ask 155 bucks which is completely out of proportion for nylon, one of the cheapest materials in the industry. They call it Polyamid on their website to hide this but it is just nylon.
Their straps are extremely overpriced... you can find some great bargains on Ebay sometimes, but buying them at retail is a bitter pill to swallow.
Yeah, $5 for the strap and $150 for the Omega brand. No thank you.
The Omega ones are very expensive, but they're a league above all other NATO straps.
Phenomenato is very near Omega quality at a fraction of the price.
Great watch strap, my nato is a Ritchie, priced at 4 for $12. Perfect for a $5k watch.
Here’s a pro tip...
Wear your NATO strap backwards so the buckle is on the inside of your wrist. This way your wrist won’t rest on the buckle when sitting at a desk. The wrist naturally rests ever so slightly on the outside of your wrist. Theirs makes the NATO that more comfy.
Absolutely love NATO straps. I wore a standard grey one on a Seiko Gen 1 RAF chrono throughout the 90’s. So comfortable and also one less worry. I never worried about damaging my watches bracelet. If something happened to the NATO, I just threw it away and slipped a new one on the watch. They are so cheap in comparison to a damaged bracelet.
The newer colourways that are appearing on NATO straps these days are (as you have pointed out) a great way to personalise the look of your watch.
Yet another great video here my friend. ✊
Always a pleasure reading your comments brother! And I hope you enjoy Thursday's surprise. It's on the desktop and ready to be uploaded - I'm just working out a slick and catchy title, which usually takes two days of brainstorming ;)
I love nato strap so much. I went from a g-Shock to a seiko SRPD. I regretted at first because the bracelet was very uncomfortable, compared to the lighter g-shock rubber band i was used to. It was especially uncomfortable when typing on a desk. I changed to a nato and i absolutely love it, the watch feels 2 times lighter, and i don't even notice it on my hand. I especially love sleeping with it because i don't feel it anymore. Im never going back to bracelets.
Well said! Such practical, versatile straps that add so much enjoyment to the hobby of watch collecting.
MORA Straps - and it makes it even better when the company (such as yours) produces quality straps!
@@SoCalWatchReviews Thanks Miguel!
Another fabulous video!
Thank you, ID Guy.
I couldn't appreciate G10 straps until I saw the Bond Omega iteration. Now, I can't get enough of them.
Please keep up the glorious content. It is appreciated.
It's always a pleasure Marcelo. All of these videos are an equal part of work and play ;) I'm so glad you enjoyed it and thank you so much for your comment!
Tool watches naturally lend themselves to the NATO strap, and in some cases the straps actually enhance the look of the watch reinforcing the idea that these watches are built for rugged outdoor wearing!
You've got it Vaughan. Infinitely more exciting to wear and works perfectly in all sorts of environments. Thank you as always for your comment, sir ;)
love Nato straps, i find them so comfortable and have the greatest colour choices compared to other types, i have them on all my watches including Omegas and Brietlings.
As a hairy armed guy who could never find a right fitting titanium band that didn't pinch, NATO bands are a lifesaver for me, especially out in the wild when I'm hiking or backpacking and need my Protrek.
NATO Recommendations:
x Olive Green (Seatbelt)
x Khaki (Zulu)
x Navy Blue (Seatbelt)
x Original Bond RAF (Geckota)
x Admiralty Grey (Phoenix)
x MN Elastic Strap (Erica’s Originals)
x Omega / Tudor Straps
IDGuy definitely agree omega straps are made and look great. Phoenix brand is definitely the only way to get traditional British military grey other brands grey color just always seem off. Also look into brands that offer different lengths not all brands fit myself well like Crown and buckle straps don’t have enough holes on the strap for my 6.5” wrist. So their straps are too large and Barton uses a fabric loop to hold the extra strap against your wrist. Looks nice but unfortunately doesn’t move so can not be adjusted sometimes leaving an awkward amount of strap sticking out.
Peter Choma I picked up a few of the BluShark brand from Amazon. They seem well made.
@@Peter-tc3ep I made a video called the "Over-Under Technique" eons ago where I make the standard Nato wear like a single piece (keeping all of the excess material at the bottom where a clasp would be) I highly recommend you watch it (because my wrists fluctuate in size and it's helped me so much. Be warned, the video is long winded and ad libbed hahaha!
What on earth are the downvotes for? Surely they are trying to say they don’t like the straps, because these are the best presented videos on YT.
Pics of the Apollo crews with the 'Speedies' on nylon, got me into that look.
I wear my Seamaster 300 on the Omega black grey Spectre style nato strap.... Extremely great quality and very comfortable. Makes the watch look so much better too!
Used to dislike them (was a bracelet only wearer) but now love 'em.. Comfortable with a bit of style & endless variety. Currently wearing my sarb017 on a Connery Bond 😎 Cheers 👍🏻👍🏻
Having discovered this, I have a new appreciation for my diver dressed with a 5 buckle zulu. 😊
The best way to strap any watch in adventure situations / expeditions and an alternative and stylish option for urban/city use.
Great work @IDGuy
They are so boss... Thank you for the comment Angelo!
Because of recommendation from a buddy from work I went to NATO straps. Thanks for clarifying that the watch band doesn't have anything to do with actual Nato but classic styling. I wear all nato straps on my time pieces.
At first I was hesitant, but after getting my first vintage Rolex (delivered sans bracelet), I became a convert. NATO straps are both comfortable, secure, and stylish in their own right. The straps are also cheap and easy to swap out. Love them!
The comfortablity of nato is so underrated. It is just so much more comfortable with it, i don't even feel the watch on my hand anymore and now sleep with it every day.
I find NATO straps to be very practical and comfortable. With the buckle sitting on the side of your wrist is way more comfortable than having it on the bottom as with metal bracelets and the huge clasp digging into your wrist. If they get dirty, put them in the wash and they are good as new. Plus, they are lighter than a solid link bracelet and can be worn in any weather conditions from extreme heat to extreme cold.
Why buy a strap from Omega and pay hundreds of dollars when you can get the same quality from Crown & Buckle for a fraction of the price. Check out their Supreme straps. Mulled buckle and keepers and seatbelt nylon.
Purchased a speedy pro around six months ago and have worn it on a number of NATO straps*, however a few weeks ago I decided to change things up and put it on the metal bracelet for the first time, it completely changes the look and fit of the watch and although I enjoyed wearing on the bracelet I find myself back to a NATO strap having watched this video earlier today.
*I opted for the Omega NATO’s given the quality, finish and wearability of them, only downside is the price.
Great video!
I like the material but not the extra thickness under the watch or the excess strap folded back at the top of the watch. After getting a 2-piece nylon strap with quick release spring bars I don't think I'll ever buy another NATO. It's khaki and looks great on my ageing dive watch, but because the fabric has a tight weave and a slight sheen, it also wears well with my white-dial dress watch, which surprised me to say the least! I'd never wear the same colour NATO on that watch, because it those give a watch a more rough-and-ready personality. The 2-piece is more versatile.
I worked out a method (and made a video about it - calling it something like the "Over-Under Technique" that turns the Nato into a single pass (and all the excess material rests at the base of the strap - where a clasp would be) but they are amazing things in any case. Nowadays I wear them to dress up my watches (which is quite strange) haha! Thanks for the comment brother!
I cut my NATO straps . They are so much better .
You can get Zulu Straps that don’t have the extra material. I would also check out the straps from Crown & Buckle.
Tony Hill's post is the historically correct account of the origin of the strap.
But these straps had a purpose for which they were designed and only alluded to in the commentary.
They were designed specifically to prevent the watch being lost or damaged if a spring bar broke, which was a common thing for a working military watch subjected to knocks and getting caught or tangled in bushes etc.
I have three watches on Nato's and I wear mine with the twin loops on the 6 o/clock side, instead of the more common 12 o/clock side.
I think in the last few years I became a G10 purist. I was searching the net for different types of high-quality seat belt Natos from different suppliers in different colors.
In the end, I found Cabot Watch Company that still sells the Phoenix G10 as well as their own CWC G10 strap. After trying them both I must say the CWC is by far the best and most comfortable G10 strap I have ever owned. While I guess the Phoenix stays pretty true to the originals issued in the 70s, it is very soft but also the holes start to fray very quickly (which CWC was pretty open about it) the CWC is a more modern interpretation that holds up way better while still being very comfy.
Both the Phoenix in Admiralty Grey as well as the CWC in Nato Grey go well with everything. I don't think that I will need any other G10 strap than those.
And if it worked for the SBS, it sure works for me ;-)
@@ericb8888 always something new to learn out there. thanks mate. appreciate it!
I love my red Vostok Komenderski on a red NATO strap I bought it on Aliexpress for $3.00. Perfect for a watch I wear only a couple of times a month.
I should have added that Nato's are also the cheapest accessories to put on watches hahaha! Thank you as always for the comment Karl!
I suggest buying some of the very inexpensive 5 or 6 strap sets on Amazon. They're mediocre quality, but they cost about $3 US each when purchased this way, and they provide an opportunity to try various colors on your watches so you can decide what you like best. Once you've settled, then select higher quality straps in the same colors, and save the Amazon straps for your beater watches.
Every watch I own that I truly care about is on a nato. I highly recommend them! Another plus is they help keep the watchback off your skin if you happen to have nickel allergies such as I do. Even stainless steel contains traces of nickel!
The nicest Nato in my collection is the one paired with the Omega NTTD Seamaster.
I never used a NATO strap in the 80s when I was a soldier as the G1098 watches were old hat and we all had digital watches that beeped continually. The stripey NATO straps were originally copies of regimental stable belts which some of guys liked. But be careful folks, don't walk into a pub wearing a Guards Division watch strap, unless you are an ex Guardsman. I have a nice olive green NATO for the summer , if it gets sweaty, I put it in the washing machine.
Great explanation and strap show.
another fabulous video! thanks mate. (using a Goldfinger Bond NATO on a Steiny OB1, right now)
Gotta love a good ol' RAF Bond ;) Thank you for the comment Carlos (The RAF strap is by far my favourite)
I have a khaki-colored nato I wore in the military. It’s beat to hell, but looks incredible on a rugged field watch or a utilitarian diver.
I love wearing nato straps, it really changes the look of my watches. I personally find seatbelt natos the most comfortable. Natos from Cincy Strap Co are my favourite - they have outlasted all of my other nato straps. Thank you for another excellent video Guy :)
You can quickly change the look of your watch from casual to formal with a quick strap change.
Agreed! Nice video mate
Thank you brother! It was a nice change of pace
Absolutely love NATO's. So many choices!
I've seen NATOs for several years now, but never, ever considered wearing one. I had no idea that I would like them until I bought my first (a Bond NATO) a few months. They are much cooler than I thought. They really do change up the look and in a good way. It's weird because whenever I saw them on another dude's wrist, I thought they were ugly and asymmetrical.
Your experience is the same as mine. I thought the same thing, that they looked ugly and asymmetrical on the wrists of others. Some of the asymmetry can be dealt with by using an alternative method of threading the strap.
While I still don’t think a nato looks quite as good as a leather strap or a bracelet, a nato is more comfortable than either, and they still look pretty good.
After purchasing my first natos a couple weeks ago I’m a convert. I love how inexpensive they are, how easy it is to swap them out, and all the different colors to choose from.
Excellent video as always!
I am a huge fan of NATO staps! Comfortable, durable and stylish etc. - and I am wearing my Seiko 'King Samurai' Save The Ocean SRPE33K1 with a black/grey Bond OMEGA NATO strap.
Great video. I love NATO straps. I thought you were about to make a statement at the end of the video that you would be releasing a line of IDGuy NATO’s yourself 😁👍
Ah Mark, I've been trying to have them made but still cannot find a manufacturer to pull them off properly (it's a very technical weave) Maybe with enough funds and finding a good in-house weaver (in France) would make all the difference. Thank you for the comment as always brother!
IDGuy You should seriously talk to Founder Timeless Capital. I am sure he would help. If I can help in anyway let me know. Nice new logo by the way 😁👍
If it was good enough for 1960's Bond (as played by Sean Connery), it's certainly good enough for me. :)
"I think he got the point" - Thunderball (1965) ;) Thanks for the comment 1SaG!
@@ID-Guy :D Just got back from buying a Steinhart OVM 42mm. Dealer had no Bond-strap, so I took an olive green one which fits the watch very nicely. The only downside is taking off the bracelet with those simple springbar-tools. I guess with more practice it becomes easier, but, man.. Or perhaps it's just good form to be cursing like a sailor when you're working on a replica RN-watch... ;)
Love NATOs. I recently got a gray for my Seiko Turtle Ocean and a Bond for my 2005 Seamaster 300 Titanium. Should look nice. Good video, thanks.👍🏼
I cannot wait to talk more about Seiko's in future videos! NATO's and Seiko Divers just go hand-in-hand. Thanks so much for the comment, Mr Perpetual!
I’ve decided to try my Save the Ocean Turtle on a Bond Grey/Black stripe NATO after watching this. Blues and blacks together have been an aesthetic theme for me lately...
Arik Johnson The STO turtle has some gray on the dial so it should look good. I put a Navy blue rubber Seiko strap on my Turtle. For some reason I didn’t care much for the steel bracelet.
I do like the South African Accent
It's all fake news, I'm totally putting on the accent ;) Thank you Pao
IDGuy Agree. You have a great voice for media. Clear, authoritative, very pleasant accent too.
Excellent, clear, and helpful video! I’m about to purchase a Bond. Thx!👍
And Cheers to you ID Guy for showing the alternative over under technique for wearing the NATO a couple of years ago. It takes away the bulk of the usual method of wearing the NATO. Is the link in the description? It should be.
You've reminded me that I should maybe revisit the video and make it quicker and more streamlined... but that is literally how I wear all of my Nato's at this point in time haha! (and odds are the nato video will be recommended with this one... it almost has half a million bloody views... I just don't get it...) Thank you as always Matthew!
I have a black Komandirskie with a black leather NATO strap and it looks so bad ass!!
My entire watch box is on NATO straps. Even my Gshocks. I have a drawer full of them. I've tried bracelets, leather, rubber, silicone, but I always go back to the mighty NATO.
It's amazing how different our preferences are. So many people can't stand them and others can't wear anything else ;) Thank you for the comment Glen!
Agree Natos allow for great versatility and utility. Well done. Cheers.
I use NATOs exclusively as I don’t like other types at all...nor do I want to lose my watch in a river, lake, ocean, or forest.
Grey and khaki are by far my most used colours in the seatbelt material of 1.4mm thick. For a luxurious feel I use 1.2mm thick in the same material in various colours.
Isn’t it odd, for “luxury” you always seem to get less for your money. ;)
I have my Hamilton khaki field automatic on a Bond NATO strap . I love it .
RAF is actually a type of nylon strap more than a color. It is a nylon strap with a nylon keeper as opposed to metal hardware.
Dare I say one of your best ever ? Right up there with a young Armand in his pomp , immersed in detail . It does help that it features MY Pusser's G10 strap . 18mm to fit the dreaded CWC . Can't wait for the MN Tudor vid ;) ... Reason behind the "Destro " ( LHD) ones ? Depth gauge and compass were worn on the left ....allegedly ...lastly Carl at semi retired Gas Gas Bones is worth a shout if you are a fan of nylon.
Another great video, thanks mate. Big fan of natos, almost a requirement in the US Southwest desert summers. Cheers 👍⌚
I have become a big fan of NATO’s over the years, not just in nylon, but in all types of materials including leather & even kangaroo 🦘 leather. I prefer my NATO to be thinner so the 1.2mm over the standard 1.4mm but on Occassion the more robust version is a better alternative. I also love a custom made NATO or an OEM NATO like from Omega for example. Great 👍 VLOG as always @IDGuy on a very popular subject.
Great video IDGuy. I prefer single pass NATO's.
Thank you as always Blueshirt! I made a video eons ago that makes the two piece nato become a single pass (called it something like the "Over Under Technique") Generally I always wear my strap that way (not the generic way)
The SOLE thing i dislike about NATOs is that unmodified ones aren't to kind on large watches on top of these two layers of material. Otherwise it's a nice, unique and historical concept.
I'm still on the fence on trying one..I just don't like the huge keepers on them and how it sticks out so much on the far side of the wrist when it's tucked in..it looks like you have a big bump on your wrist sticking out..
Another brilliant vid. Love natos.
Maratac and Phenomenato straps are wonderful!
And Erika’s Originals
This is magical.
I freeze up when purchasing due to uncertainty of how the strap will actually look. One of these strap companies needs to invest in technology to upload photos or search for your watch and then show it with the strap of your liking. It would increase buyer confidence which increases sales and would have a positive impact on returns.
I’m not sure I’d refer to the “Vintage Bond” pattern worn by Sean Connery in “Goldfinger” as “RAF”. Bond was a Royal Navy Officer, possibly a former commando in the Special Boat Service, but not the Royal Air Force.
I agree, I love NATO straps
I've never tried a nato strap before, I've always just kept my watches on the supplied bracelets or leather straps they come with.... Maybe I should buy some nato straps next instead of another watch
Haveston Straps are great!!!!!
I'm dying to get my hands on their original Green variant (modelled after the Dakota) Thanks for the comment RC Robson!
Pretty Cool. IDGuy!!👍👍👍🇺🇸🎩🇺🇸
I've always liked them, but they I have a few mil watches in my collection with fixed bars so goes without saying. Phoenix NATO have gone downhill in recent years but I'm told the CWC branded ones are equal to the Phoenix of old so I must get some. I mainly use Condor NATO straps which are great for the money. The Omega ones are very expensive but nothing competes with the quality.
One thing that no one is talking about is the size of the watch you want to put on nato. It works only for watches smaller than your typical max size! In diameter and height. If your max is 42mm then for nato it would be 40mm. If you prefer up to 14mm thickness, than with nato you should stick with 12mm or thinner...
do you get into a discussion on quality of these things anywhere else? The conundrum I seem to be hearing is 'Phoenix quality in bad, but its the only way to get the real Admiralty grey vintage look'. My watches are Rolex, so that rules out Omega straps...help?
Nit to be confused with G10, the handgun grip material.
Hahaha! You learn something everyday! (I had no idea that was a thing) Thanks for the comment Creep!
@@ID-Guy Yeah it is fiberglass reinforced epoxy resin, very functional, much like the NATO strap.
You should checkout the NATO single pass straps put out by Springmade. They are excellent and are micro adjustable for that just right fit.
I will only put nato on cheap watches. I had nato on my Daytona and Sea-Dweller. After a few months I switched to the bracelets, and had to polish the backs of the watches with some 3K grit wet/dry paper because the nato had left marks.
Phew, a Nato on a Daytona... that's bold, Ryver! But totally understandable. They are things to try and they suit the more hardy, tool watches in any case. Thank you for mentioning the caseback! I've heard that they can be extremely abrasive over time.
Not a fan of the bulk they add or the keepers on the side. I enjoyed your thoughts on them though.
Depends of how you adjust the strap, there's alternative ways
How about leather natos?
Leather NATO's I kind of, sort of class into a different category (this video was really to highlight the effectiveness of Nylon with straps) But leather straps need to be highlighted in another episode! Thank you for the suggestion Flippin ;)
I actually like that it cheapens the look of a watch, I like a nice watch but don't want it to suggest that i'm wealthy, which i'm not
Crown and Buckle has a Chevron strap line which mimics Tudor. They are fantastic. They have natos that are seatbelt style which were a disappointment. I prefer their premium natos.
Ça me donne des idées, merci!
NATO straps are great way to use on almost every watch excluding dress watch.
However, the Hamilton khaki pilot pioneer mechanical/W10 makes it seems dressy in admiral gray nato straps.
Field watches can pull off NATO's so well! Thank you for the comment as alway Tippy!
I disagree. Most Orient Bambino watches come with horrible faux crock leather bands. I replaced mine with an burgundy NATO. Looks killer now.
And that is not the only occasion where a NATO improved the look on one of my dress watches.
I use my dress watch with a nato strap if im dressing it down. Somehow i love dress watches with nato straps.
Omega straps are nice but the new Tudor straps are amazing to me. By far my favorite style of fabric strap as I much prefer a single pass to a double pass as the thickness it adds to a watch and how high off the wrist it sits really bugs me.
Great video as always IDG 👍
What's car-key colour though😋
I tried on a NATO, the most uncomfortable thing I've ever had the misfortune of wearing. That loop on the side gets snagged on everything and forget about putting on a jacket. Cheers
I have to direct you to my "Over-Under Technique" video that I made eons ago that helps with the wearing of the straps. I agree they can get in the way (but my method helps to keep them neat and tidy) ;) Thanks as always for the comment Derek!
@@ID-Guy. A bracelet is the easiest. I have one watch on a leather strap and its also more dificult to slip on a jacket with. Cheers
@@derekshearer9049 The jacket seems your problem.
@@m2pozad. It's winter. Kinda cold in a t-shirt...
@@m2pozad He should change straps per season.
I wear my Seamaster 300 8800 on leather and Omega original NATO strap and barely on bracelet as i do not like the design of it, unlike on PO 8500 which has nice bracelet but that one I mostly wear on rubberish strap from Omega for it.
The strap Bond wears is NOT a NATO strap; it’s an RAF strap, which you incorrectly say is a sub-type of NATOs. RAFs are just a type of single-piece nylon strap. NATOs are a very specific kind of nylon strap, not a generic term for all nylon straps.
Also, its underlying colour is not black, but dark navy.
Khaki sand > All
Khaki was one of the first colour I ever bought. Absolutely love them! Thanks for the comment MR!
I love NATOs , and I got an Omega NATO, based on it's unique color pattern, but once strapping it on, the sharp edges of the hard ware on the Omega makes it horribly uncomfortable, and it actually diggs into the wrist. Really unfortunate since it was such a nice pattern, and the price I paid :(
Does anyone else not like wearing a NATO in the summer? I despise sweating thru a fabric and having to wear it.
I have nato strap about 5 year ago. at the first 6 month it good it not wet but after that it turn to a bit fluff then it seem never dry.
I don't like nato because of the loop on the side. it's a distract from the watch design and make it look big. however i do like perlon on field watches. I find them match the watches very well. otherwise i will keep it on a bracelet specially on a diver.
but it would be fun to change the colors everyday if you have a strap monster of watch which i don't currently
I don't know if you'll see this two years after the fact, but what colour nato would you recommend for the cream dial Citizen 'Brycen' chrono?
It’s a British Army invention.
RAF actually.
The Tricolour NATO's deserve a shout-out in their own right. France? Italy? Germany? Russia? Netherlands? Austria? We got you covered! 2€ on AliExpress.
Omega is pronounced like Megaphone and Megabyte. It means Big O in Greek. “Omeega” or “Amiga” is wrong.
Personally I don’t see nato straps as all that sporty. I usually wear just an oyster bracelet, but o really wanted a more sporty watch I would just use rubber.
Trying NATO's just made me love metal bracelet even more lol.
Oh yes,the below mentioned supplier is additionally the only one who supplies straps of the correct length..........................
This is the only reference I have ever seen that a NATO strap can be used for formal dress. The NATO strap is a casual item, and as such is not appropriate for formal dress. Leather is appropriate for formal dress, as mentioned in any proper fashion etiquette guide.
What color nato strap would you suggest on a 19 green sumo?
Could you help me please (anybody)? What is the series number of that nice Pulsar at 0:41? Or where can I find it? (I've searched at some places but no success.)