Are the NATO Straps really that cool?

Are NATO's really any better than a good leather or Uncle Seiko rubber strap? Other than the "safety" feature, are they more comfortable or just a different look. I've never had one so I am curious. Thanks.

Not better... different. They can make a watch look more casual, make a small watch look larger, might be a temp solution for newly bought vintage watches, and IMHO, are the most comfortable solution in hot weather.

I tend to go through phases... leather in winter, steel and NATOs during summer.

I love the idea of the NATO straps but I can't get used to the extra strapage at the top of the watch. That bulkiness ruins the look for me. What's cool is that if a spring bar fails the watch is still hanging on to the strap by the other one. Doesn't fall to the ground and get damaged. I've been using a Zulu Diver strap to get this same protection but without the big knot of excess strap.

The high-end straps are thick, and therefor stiff. So when new they tend to stick out like Dumbo ears at the lugs. I was able to mitigate this with my wife's curling iron, putting a bend on each side of the strap where it goes around the spring bars. It helped but didn't solve it completely. Note that I used an old rag over the strap to keep the curling iron from direct contact with the nylon strap.

Also, perhaps due to my wrist size, the buckle on a NATO strap never sits on the middle of my wrist. Instead it always lies almost on the side of my wrist. I can't get used to that. Not uncomfortable, just strange and distracting. So all things considered, the NATOs are not for me.

Only tried one once, could not wait to get it off my wrist. The watch stood very high on my wrist and felt uncomfortable. Ian sure this is not the same for everyone so go and try before you buy.

Although I have a small wrist, I believe that NATO straps can be pulled depending of the watch, despite it bulkiness.
plus, the color combinations that one can achieve is great in my opinion.

Cheers!

Eduardo

An Omega Nato is the best strap I’ve owned. It should be for what they charge. 🤦

That said, the best seatbelt style strap next to an Omega strap is the Toxic herringbone. https://www.toxicnatos.com/products/seat-belt-watch-strap-toxic-shiznit
Terry (the owner) is a great resource, if you have questions or just need extra spring bars, etc.

And for those concerned about the bulk of an “uncut” strap, you can snip the extra keeper off to make it a single pass (i.e. like a Zulu). This is a profile of a snipped Toxic Admiralty compared to the uncut Toxic seat belt strap.

NATO straps were made for military watches with fixed/unremovable bars... all the rest is just another fashion phenomenon !

Exactly. An awesome fashion phenomenon.

They are light, durable and secure too. They give me an extra level of comfort when wearing a vintage watch.

I only wear natos in summer. So comfy

Look at the fund you can have with a NATO

2018-09-08 15.54.34 by ataripower, on Flickr