Community Stories

Good Watch-Cheap Strap

august1410
Posts
36
Likes
129
NATO straps are a dime a dozen and I have yet to find one that is absolutely superior to others. I buy them in four packs, six pack, eight packs.....various colors and styles. I swap them out all the time depending on the look I am shooting for. I have two leather straps (one brown and one black), but mainly use the NATOs on my Speedy.

Am I destined for eternal damnation by putting my watch on one of these inexpensive straps? Am I a fool?

I just want my daily driver to be comfortable on my wrist and look like it's an actual watch that is worn and not a safe queen.

IMG_7294[1].webp
 
502 to right
Posts
1,421
Likes
1,446
Any toolish looking watch can look good on a NATO regardless of the cost of either. That combo you have is awesome. No need to apologize for anything.

The only time I don't like a NATO and watch pairing is when the watch is dressy. NATO and a yellow gold Rolex Day Date? No. Cartier Tank and a NATO? No.
 
august1410
Posts
36
Likes
129
An update to the thread...I almost pulled the trigger on an Omega branded NATO straight from the Omega site. I simply cannot spend 210 USD on a NATO strap.
 
rfortson
Posts
67
Likes
423
august1410 august1410
An update to the thread...I almost pulled the trigger on an Omega branded NATO straight from the Omega site. I simply cannot spend 210 USD on a NATO strap.
Yeah, the only OEM NATOs I have are ones that came with the watch originally. I have a Longines Ultra-Chron that I'm wearing today and it came with both bracelet and NATO. I love the NATO but I'd never pay for it separately.

I also have the first Oris Divers 65 reissue from ~10 years ago. I bought it on a canvas strap (not a NATO), which I love. However, through luck and kindness, I wound up with the Oris NATO for it free of charge. It's a nice band, and I've tried it, but I still prefer the canvas strap I purchased it on.

The rest of my NATOs range from ultra cheap (bought in bulk) to merely cheap. They all serve me well.
 
august1410
Posts
36
Likes
129
I found myself in an Omega boutique yesterday and asked about the availability of the OEM NATO straps in store. It just so happened they had one of my color choices in store. Got it for thirty dollars less than the website had it and I didn't have to pay for shipping. Salesman fitted the strap to the watch and I was good to go.

I'm gonna have to eat my words from before and say the OEM strap is worth every penny. Quality is top notch, and now my watch is 100% Omega.

IMG_7449[1].webp IMG_7448[1].webp
 
Garden Veggies
Posts
202
Likes
246
august1410 august1410
An update to the thread...I almost pulled the trigger on an Omega branded NATO straight from the Omega site. I simply cannot spend 210 USD on a NATO strap.
I always get them for free as part of deals at the OB - I’ll sometimes get up to 2 depending on the final watch price
 
Vinz Clortho
Posts
807
Likes
2,446
The OEM straps are nice but thick with it the seatbelt fabric. At least around here, during the hot and humid summers, end up sweating too much with them. Also adds a lot of thickness between the watch and wrist. Great look for casual and wearing during the evenings.
 
Sign up or log in to reply...

Similar threads

Vercingetorix

Need a good watch (strap) shop in Turin or Milan

Vercingetorix Open Discussion
Vercingetorix
Vercingetorix
Posts
4
Views
728
O

Trying to figure out if this is a good watch for my father's birthday

olteanu_petru Open Discussion
Spruce
Spruce
Posts
8
Views
3K
C

Looking for a good watch maker

Cachmo Vintage Omega Watches Help, Discussion and Advice
Fallout Boy
Fallout Boy
Posts
3
Views
1K
PlogTinTin

Is this a good watch? TAG Heuer Carrera Chrono Caliber 16 Japan Limited CV201K

PlogTinTin Other Watch Brands Forum
peatnick
peatnick
Posts
3
Views
1K
keepsonticking

Good watch fortune to start the new year

keepsonticking Open Discussion
ghce
ghce
Posts
9
Views
1K
Pascal S

My little feel-good watch: Lemania calibre 3000

Pascal S Other Watch Brands Forum
Pascal S
Pascal S
Posts
51
Views
8K