NATO Style Straps: Vintage vs Contemporary

[@mikefaulkner3163]

Great stuff, just to clarify 2 points, when in the military, if we didn’t tuck the excess ‘inside’ as you correctly demonstrated, the drill instructor would tear you apart… clean and tidy it has to be! Also, the ‘understrapping’ by using a thinner strap in wider lugs is an historic feature, as the Royal Navy dive watches were all 20mm lugs, but the only width NATO was an 18mm.. real men still understrap 😉

[@TruePatina]

Love it! Great info thanks for sharing!

[@2K9s]

Something we were taught was to place the watch-head towards the fixed keepers (not centered) so that the bottom side of the wrist is flat, or only has one nylon strap over it. Logic behind this was to prevent getting snagged/caught up while crawling around or reaching in a pocket.
Sweet vintage rolex btw too!!
5517?
“Due to batch webbing dye procedure and also some computer monitors do not give a true colour rendition, the shade of the strap may vary from that shown in photograph.
Buckles are stainless steel but may vary being either one piece wire buckle or springbar type”

[@raphaelcavina6138]

I still have 20+ years old phénix
from the early days of Timefactor! Love those OG

[@user-ko4hb8kc5f]

Hey - Great video. Just to nerd out a little more, the different colours in the Phoenix straps is due to the dyeing process. Dyeing the nylon (old school method) was not an exact science & each batch could come out slightly different. I run a watch strap store & we stocked Phoenix from 2010-2018, it was a nice quirk between batches & dark admiralty grey was gorgeous. These are the OG of Nato straps & the owner a true gent.

[@BAF605]

Original Nato strap MOD UK spec also called for heat sealed joints only with no stitching. That together with the chrome plated brass hardware and the no spring bar buckle type are giveaway signs of military issue. . I believe too that Admiralty grey and 19mm width was the original one size fits all.

[@phobia97183449]

Silverman’s in the UK just told me that Phoenix has closed there doors, so they won’t be making anymore bands.

[@phobia97183449]

@@kronzprinz I agree, I just hate spending the $30 for shipping to get one from CWC . I have a Royal Navy Diver and I love it. It’s the perfect watch.

[@Laguna2013]

What's the best vendor in the US to buy the Phoenix? Why is CWC better?@@kronzprinz

[@UAL320]

I’ve used these exclusively since I got my 5513 20 years ago (have never once used the bracelet) but I now prefer the single pass over the “authentic” with the keeper.

[@markanderson9061]

Excellent content, keep 'em coming.

[@jacobkohler]

Topic B is brilliant! Curve excess towards you and down into itself. Never thought of that.

[@HarryJoiner]

Subscribed. Thanks to ID guy for letting me know you exist.

[@viva360]

Thank you for this and that bit on having the watch more on the south of the strap is a light bulb moment for me 😎

[@abmtnbkr]

Outstanding sir. Thanks for a great video. 👍

[@auxiliary4023]

Back in my day the keeper style watch straps were something to do with RM SBS swimboards. The watch was fixed to a board along with a compass and the strap became more secure to the board with this feature?

[@adammccormack7494]

NATO has the secondary extra strap...the single length strap is called a Zulu strap

[@Sokol10]

I've see the one with single layer called as "RAF strap".
The main difference between ZULU strap and NATO strap is the use of two (metal) loop's in the end the short strap of ZULU, that allow use as "D" lock.
I've see a commentary saying that ZULU type was create for overcame a US seller trickery, who register "NATO strap" as their brand name, and start and started charging royalties if anyone wanted to sell a NATO strap in the USA.
So another manufacture create the ZULU strap, with thicker hardware and 4 loops - not counting the buckle; instead three of the NATO.

[@sjavi97]

Where do you purchase an original Phoenix strap?? I’m from Spain and its really difficult to get one of these

[@MrPinkWhiteBlack]

Cool.

[@SoCalWatchReviews]

👏

[@Laguna2013]

'Ministry of Defense' is this a monty python flick?