How could a NATO style strap possibly be worth $63? - Artem Nylon and Blue Sail Cloth Review
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- Опубликовано: 1 окт 2024
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If you think of $10,000 Omegas and Rolexes as "affordable" watches, like Kevin Leary, then a $63 NATO seems like a bargain.
Kevin Leary is a jerk.
Hell nah I ain’t paying no $63 for a NATO. I’d pay it for a Genuine Croc or an Alligator but not no NATO 😂
When you consider that Crown & Buckle sell their truly excellent “Matte Supreme” NATO’s for $28, seems hard to justify $63. I can’t imagine the quality being that much better.
I have a Matte Supreme and agree, very nice
Have you seen the price of Omega Natos?
That's still overpriced
What Artem seems to get right is the measurements of the nato. Artem makes their 12 o’clock strap longer - just like Omega does.
In doing so, the buckle sits right where it should, like on traditional straps.
Artem is the only alternative to Omega that does this. I’ve tried them all.
@@gyang333I know I bought one.😂
Moment of madness.
The Omega Seamaster NTTD NATO is over $400
BTW... this has to be the best review video ever. Balancing all the variables against the cost shows a level of understanding in watch collecting.
Ya he's a true watch enthusiast and this great channel 👍
Expensive NATO straps are up there with expensive tacos; it kinda misses the point. But you did a great job pointing out that these are a bargain compared to $300 NATOs... :)
Yeah, I don't get it. It's like someone saying they want a "fancy" hammer when all they're going to do with it is go out and build a shed.
Best comment here. It's almost an oxymoron to have expensive NATOs. The whole point of NATO straps are rugged, military, casual, even almost disposable dare I say.
@@Strideo1 best comment ever
I bought an Artem loopless sailcloth strap with omega style clasp on the back of lots of glowing reviews on RUclips... however I wasn't impressed. The material wasn't as supple as some RUclips reviews implied and the clasp was poor quality. The clasp wasn't very secure and would easily rip open if snagged on a jacket pocket for example. Maybe I got a lemon...but I'm unlikely to buy from Artem again...not worth it based on my experience.
glowing reviews lol
I think I'd get one of these if the hardware was sterling silver or something to justify the price. Otherwise, not gonna happen for me. I do have Nato's for a couple of my more expensive watches but I got them elsewhere.
Yup, these are just crazy expensive. I'm betting their margins are huge on these.
That's a waste of silver
Too expensive for my tastes. There are some killer NATO offerings at half the price.
No sorry don’t get this at all, if you can afford the luxury watch, you can probably afford the strap. I am sure they are excellent, albeit not scratch proof, but they aren’t three times better than a good 20 dollar strap.
Phenomenato makes the best natos ive ever handled, and they make them for like 40bucks...
You can get get any lug width you want...as long as it's 20mm.
😂😂😂 for my ladies watch
My company produce fabrics, and I'm a hobbyist strapmaker, so I know thing or two about the topic.
Even the most luxurious fabric for nato strap will not cost more than $1. Regular ones cost less than 10 cents per strap... Those types of fabrics are produced and sold in running yards with price for yard around 0.2 - 1 dollar.
Keepers and buckle will cost you about 3-5 dollars on aliexpress. Companies will buy wholesale, so we can assume price goes lower, but it doesn't matter. Let say it's 6 dollars pers strap for fabric and metal stuff.
How long it takes to sew it? I've made some nato straps, and they are so quick to finish. Sewing takes me only few minutes.
I bet that artem straps are made in China, and they dont sew them inhouse, but even if they did, one employee would easily do 10 straps per hour. How much you pay employees in australia? Let's assume it is $30 dollars per hour.
So even if the strap was handmade in Australia the total cost would be around $10. I'm pretty sure it is more like 3-4$, but let's take $10 as a total cost.
So they charge 6 time more production cost. WOW. A true luxury brand they've become :)
These straps can be had on AliExpress for $5-$10 each. They are identical and I'm almost certain they're made in the same factory. It's a shame that these companies get these, slap their name on the buckle and charge a $50+ markup for them. BTW, this channel has deleted my comment twice.
I really enjoy my Artem sail-cloth strap. I may have to check out their NATO straps. Previously, I've sourced my NATOs from BluShark. They have a great selection.
I agree on BluShark mate
BluShark is my preference too.
I have several BluShark's and they are very good. My only complaint is their lack of odd sizes. I can't get 21mm straps and I can get them from Crown and Buckle and Artem.
this comment thread is a paid promotion lol 😆
What Omega is charging for a NATO strap is just criminal. I've got the same "No Time To Die" NATO (02:17) by BkluShark. 36USD. The BluSharks are great seat belt straps for a very affordable price.
Even BluShark is asking 5x prices. AliExpress straps I got recently cost me 5$ and were as good or better than 36$ BluSharks. And I had to ask for replacemets from BluShark a few times, because the holes got frayed after few days of wearing.
It's a bit of fabric and a few tiny metal hardware, it would cost on mass about £5 to manufacture maximum, the price is just hype and marketing. You can get very high quality same fabric and findings for about £16
I don't actually own a NATO (or any additional straps for that matter) but conceptually I felt like Natos are a very casual style watch strap that can be used for more dangerous activities than regular watch straps (they were initially designed for military use) so they are affordable but typically hold up fairly well. At $63 I'd rather just add another $20 and get the sailcloth.
If you ever get one, make sure it has a solid buckle. "NATO" straps with spring bar buckles are not NATOs.
Not a fan of nato straps anyway but that’s way too much money for cloth.. then the shorter strap length make it even less enticing.
I’d rather buy leather, lizard or stingray for that money.
Phenomenato makes exceptional nato straps for 40 bucks. I can't decide if I want a sail cloth strap enough to spend the 80 bucks. I agree the cheaper ones don't seem worth it.
Glad you brought up Omega's NATO pricing. Even though I own an Omega I would not pay their prices. They are obscene!
I don't think they're bad. But IMHO there are better options especially if you want something with real heritage. And if you ask me, paying 160.- for an Omega branded strap is a joke!
The MOD-issued Omega Seamasters were issued and worn on Phoenix G10 Nato Straps.
The Rolex 5517 Milsubs were issued and worn on Phoenix G10 Nato Straps.
The Phoenix G10 Nato Strap is still available and sold by CWC (Cabot Watch Company) Yes it's kind of flimsy but also very soft and comfortable.
And yes they will fray ... but they always did ... so that's a feature, not a bug. The Phoenix is pretty much the OG of Nato straps.
CWC also produces their own Nato strap which is currently issued by the MOD to the UK armed forces (eg. with the SBS Divers Watch)
IMHO the CWC is the most comfortable, best looking Nato strap money can buy. If you want to get some vintage vibe, get a Phoenix.
Grey, Admiralty Grey of course. Oh, and you can get the straps well below 20.-
Omega wants $250 for a rubber strap without a buckle, you want the buckle it's another $250 so $500 bucks for a functional strap.
Insanity
These exact same straps are on ebay for as little as £8.50 - I have just purchased the blue red grey nato seatbelt nylon version. The only difference is that a branded buckle is added. Complete rip-off in my opinion to be paying these high prices.
I bought one from eBay for my Omega Seamaster, no logo though. These certainly look very similar.
Exactly I have several from AliExpress for less than $10. They are identical and I assume made in the same factory. This channel deleted my comment about it twice already lol.
I love Nato straps, but I would never spend $63 on one. Because if I did, I wouldn't have the courage to cut them with scissors to wear them with a single pass, as I usually do.
Just pointing to a supplier like Omega and saying they are even more expensive (an even bigger rip-off) does not justify prices that are so far above the rest of the market. A NATO strap is after-all a NATO strap and really quite a few very good ones at around 30 bucks..
I can't justify ANY nato strap that uses a spring bar in the buckle.
I'll stick to crown and buckle and Barton NATO straps. $20 and function better.
It doesn’t really make sense to me, why would I care what Omega and others price their Nato’s ? Those will always have something other’s won’t: Omega branding. Quality can be a good reason for the price, however at least from this video I can’t see how is that quality shown ? Even Dave saying they are higher quality, but not being really able to show how. I put $10 nato straps on luxury watches and they feel exactly how Dave describes, they don’t feel or look cheap at all.
I would consider $500 -1500 in the affordable price range. I don't think $63 would be to much to spend on a $1000 watch.
if I could afford a premium luxury watch then I would not care about a cheaper alternative to the strap, but thats just my opinion
Seems like a lot for a Nato.......even if it is top quality...i feel Nato straps are for casual wear,so its hard to justify the price,and you can get a very good quality leather strap for that money..
Me watching this with 6 OEM Omega NATO’s in my watch box: 😅
A Vario single pass seatbelt nylon beats yours for sixteen bucks!!!!!!
well you if you tuck the strap the right way- you have no problem. :-D
Can't speak for the Artem NATO's, but the sailcloth is top notch.
Exactly, just like a $99 apple ultra band 😂😂😂😂
I just recently started wearing NATO straps and I love them. I put a Hemsut blue/grey strap on my Grand Seiko Katsu-Iro Indigo Spring Drive. I like it more than the bracelet. I paid around $20 and would not pay $63 !
Nato straps on luxury watches don't mix.
I rather buy cheaper thinner NATO straps as I find them more comfortable. I tend to make them single pass too.
The cheapest ribbed nato straps are the most durable as well.
I got a few pricey NATO's, poshest being my Omega Bond that I paid £140ish for. It's nice, but tbh the best I've found are Geckota that are around £30....they're proper, with sewn in captive buckles - unlike the Omega (& the vast majority of NATO style) strap, which misses the point entirely by having a buckle held in by springbar 🤦🏻♂️... Not tried Artem NATO's,but I do really like their sailcloth. Cheers 👍🏻👍🏻
Thanks for the tip.
I'm next going to try the natos from CWC watches as they supply the MOD with them ( & they're reasonably priced).
@@jaysterling26 found them bit scratchy tbh, most comfortable natoesque strap I've found are the MN elasticated tbh....but I do rate Artem Sailcloth highly. Cheers mate 👍🏻
They are not safe: the buckle has a spring bar.
It better be able to make me deflect bullets like wonder woman's bracelets
The one and only reason a nato should cost more than 12$, is to have the holes and rounded end being actually weaved so it doesn't ever stretch out, breaks or gets frayed. If it's just cut and burned, it will stretch over time. Actual price on them in materials is probably under a dollar coming from those Chinese factories in bulk. Extra price plays in better finishing and quality control, but not so much to make it 500% more expensive.
😂
I looked at Omega bracelets... Fashion bracelets $350 -$450 & up crazy 🤯
Have you ever thought of selling straps or Nato's
For me nato is NO never i m 64 years old and nato never even 1 euro never too beurkk
For ME, the most important question is, does it have a solid buckle or a spring bar buckle?
Spring bar buckle
@@JusttheWatch Death to spring bar buckles on "NATO" straps.
Custa 8 dólares na AliExpress 😂😂🤣
a true nato does not have a springbar on the buckle
I had an Omega NATO thrown in with the purchase of my Speedy Moon watch. I love it! So comfortable. Expensive yes. Quality 100%.
Great for people who came down in the last shower.
The metalwork let’s these down.
Since all my watches are diver, NATO strap that expensive probably kinda hard to abused in sea or pool, so yeah, cheap AliExpress for me is already fits the bill he he
$63 NATO strap....😂😂😂😂
The poors are angry.
Traditional Nato straps never did it for me. I've tried different brands and they all look very awkward (because of the extra loops) on my kind of wide, but skinny wrist.
completely opposite for me
The NATOs I have/had either were included with a watch or were free. Spending $63 for one is a hard sell. That said, I'm considering their sail cloth strap for my recently purchased Ginault Silent Service.
I unironically agree
Hi… nicely presented detailed review. Pls do check out HMT Handwound mechanical watches from India. HMT carries a big horological importance in India and they make best VFM under 50$ watches. Most handwound ones are sub 38$ actually!
That's crazy prices Dave my goodness, I liked to spend around $25 to $30 dollars, more than that forget it, not for me Thank you, Omega prices are ridiculous period.... hey but you got 4 of them...they do look good 👍...
what is that watch you are wearing?
Excellent review, yeah i was considering the sailcloth, but even at $85.00, that is still really expensive.
Agreed
Clearly that Omega one you showed, had very very different metal parts. You could clearly see how much better they were finished, and you could see how different the buckle was. Was it 320USD worth? Probably not, but clearly we're talking different leagues than these Artem.
*those Casios are amazing btw, they run backwards xD
0:24 you should've just let it there, not coming up with some story to justify the shilling that you're about to do. IT'S JUST PRICE GOUGING !
To me this is way to expensive, at least for now, but they seem to be great for almost any watch. I wouldn't use them on watches under $50.
The (style) NAME alone would keep me from buying one, even only using one, if I wouldn't already dislike them for other reasons.
The don't look cool at all either, rather than someone who can't tie his shoelaces.
I’m in Australia. If I buy a nato from the USA, from someone like Blushark, it costs me 60+ because of exchange rate and freight.
I’ll put my my Vario ballistic nylon strap up against anything Artie has to offer when it comes to body, durability, Frey resistance, and comfort when worn. They only cost $16 to boot.
Comparing them to an Omega strap is silly IMO. You expect them to be massivly marked up and over-priced. These cost the same as my US made nylon belt w/ Austrian made COBRA buckles.
Just a lot of marketing BS, huge mark ups just because it's going on a luxury watch! Seriously.
They look nice, but I am definitely not there yet. When I get to the point of where I can buy a $7k watch, I will probably buy an $80 nato. Ah, life goals... Still want to get one of their sail cloths though. Thanks for the review!
I ordered a French Marine Nationale NDC strap for my Flight Master and it was around $65. I haven't installed it yet.
Artem should get an EU store, it’s a turn off, to pay 25% tax of both price and shipment 😖🤞
I collect NATO straps and Omega will last a life time. A little dawn and water makes it new again. I also enjoy the OuterKnown straps. I find the 20 dollar straps last a few months and then look like a dogs toy on your wrist.
You should check out Zuludiver octopood Nato's they come with a deployant clasps ! 👍❤️
I bought some natos from blushark for me seiko turtle because for one extremely easy to quickly change them out as i please and the oem bracelet sucks lol
Any Advice on buying High Quality Spring bars?
No pocket shot? You made the pocket shot famous.
Ha ha. Was on a tight production schedule, this is one of the videos I filmed right before going out of the country for a month.
quality of your content has improved dramatically! Artem straps are worth the cost if you're keeping it for 5+ years. but i change natos constantly, so for me, cost is king.
Best for me are still the UTE from Hodinkee when factoring in hardware as well. Bark and Jack and damn good too.
Ty for the review and I think my omega and Tudors are going to work well with these
I have the beige bond one. The only complaint I have is the part of the buckle that secures through the watch strap holes, is folded metal, while the Omega is a solid piece.
That is an unacceptable form of cost cutting for such an asking price, especially when $20 natos on Amazon have those same pieces at solid, milled metal.
If it wasn’t for that, it would be of near exact quality to the Omega strap IMO.
the folded vs solid would literally never be any issue---the fabric will fail waaay before the buckle will
Thank you for the very informative, entertaining and objective review. Keep up the great work!
I don’t use NATOs but they’re a still a conventional strap and I treat them all the same. That’s to say they’re a wear and tear item that I expect to replace every few years. I have a hard time paying more than $50 for a strap because like it said, it’s disposable.
👍🏻
Apart from leather NATOs, I find I have to wear them incredibly tight or the watch flops around - so not for me. But the sailcloth is intriguing. NATO straps were originally intended to be cheap, knockabout and simple - things have obviously changed. Good luck to them - there's surely a market.
Great point
Good review. Personally would not pay that money for a nato ever, no matter what. But, if I were in the luxury level and wanted to be sure of quality, maybe I would buy them. I generally default back to bracelets, but use natos to spice up a watch or two when the vast majority of my watches are metal bracelets. For me, the heavier the watch, the better.
They're all made in the same overseas sweatshop
Thanks for the great content, Dave!
Very nice >>>>> Thank you
most are too stiff
I’m way more interested in a nice sailcloth strap than a nato. Checking them out 👍🏻
I always enjoyed this channel - but it’s now become a vehicle for getting freebies. Essentially it’s a shill. I’m unsubscribing as it is no longer genuine at all. Best of luck to him but he has lost his way.
Thanks for the feedback!
You have to be rich to produce regular watch review content using only purchased items! This is the compromise. He seems plenty critical to me even with sponsored content