I'm looking for a high quality NATO for my Speedy, but there's a big gap between the $15 Amazon/NATO Strap Co/Crown and Buckle, and the $170 Omega boutique prices.

What's the highest quality NATO people have found in a middle ground?

 

Define what you mean by quality? Personally as long as it is stiched and has a decent buckle I'm good.

 

Time factors NATO is a similar quality to the omega NATO at a fraction of the price. Well this is what I have heard. I agree there is a big difference between the crown and buckle NATO and omega NATO. I have both!

 

As @Foo2rama said, really need more qualifiers for what you consider "quality," but here goes...
Timefactors just put out a new "De Luxe" line that looks to have a similar tight, seatbelt material-like weave as the nylon Omega natos. All reports from early adopters are that the material is very similar to the Omega examples, but hardware seems to be lacking and the colors and designs are limited.
The material on the Zulu Diver natos is the highest quality I've seen other than Omega. It's not as tight a weave but very comfy and very tight, no fraying whatsoever around the holes and nicely wrap around the wrist. Hardware isn't the best though.
C&B, Nato Strap Co, Cheap Nato Straps, etc. all have similar material and some small differences in hardware. None come close to the comfort of the Omega Nato IMHO, but they're still high quality and LOTS of color and pattern choices.
Someone on WuS is starting to make straps from seatbelt material, although he hasn't put them on sale yet. Go check out the thread, looks promising.

 

That's easy. Timefactors De Luxe NATO nearly compares to OEM Omega when it comes to quality and comfort.

Regards
Undersköterskan

 

With the exception of small finishing touches I don't think there are big differences between a 5$ strap and a 30-40$ honestly...

 

Thanks for the responses! The Ritche ones I have aren't as thick or as well constructed as the Omega one I've seen.
The hole I latch to also show signs of stress (a noticeable bump) after only 2 weeks of use.
I haven't seen fraying yet, but I feel it's letting the side down and swapped back to the bracelet.

Thanks for the recommendations on Timefactors De Luxe and Zulu Diver - from the websites they look more substantial than the others.

I'll get one of each and see which one my Speedeorite works best with.

 

I just received a Bond and Black Nato from clockworksynergy. They are good but not high quality.

 

Time Factors De-Luxe nato is the closest. I think the Omega is the clear winner between the two but that doesn't mean the TF strap is a looser. It's noticeably thicker so I'd go with the single RAF style strap. I wish it had more traditional style hardware but if they made more colors (preferably solid colors) I'd buy more.

 

I purchased the Nato G10 Edge and I love it. I have many Nato straps and this is by far the best.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/171709361124?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&var=470672219955&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:ITPurchases made through these links may earn this site a commission from the eBay Partner Network


The strap is not as bulky as the photo makes it look. But it is thicker and the hardware is sized appropriately.Purchases made through these links may earn this site a commission from the eBay Partner Network

 

I have had a good experience with Maratac, on a beater diver for a few years. My fav NATO is the unbeatable Omega, but it better be at 10x the cost!! Here is a pic showing the Omega, you can see I don't have enough material to tuck back down, ugh, words. See pic. My wrist size is 7 3/4", not very big, I expected the strap to be longer. But it does work ok over my thickest wetsuit (5/3mm). Anyways thumbs up on Maratac.

Edit, wetsuit thickness

 

What Seiko is that?

 

Seiko SARG013. Japanese domestic market watch. Getting harder to find as this watch is no longer being made.
You can still find them on Amazon and Ebay, but they are getting harder to find and the price is rising all the time. There are 3 variations of this watch SARG013, Sarg015, Sarg017.
It is an awesome watch!.

 

Thanks for the info, it is very cool

 

I've had both Nato strap co and Crown and Buckle and I think NATO strap co is a little better. I think NSC has thicker better material and a C&B strap I had didn't have a clean cut edge on one side.

 

I'm working on producing high quality nato strap.
Here are some pictures of prototype, and early samples.
I don't know when will the sales start, I hope maybe in 2-3 months.

 

some more pictures:

 

When you start testing let me know. I need a 19mm for my Speedmaster 2998. From what I can see, your strap looks SWEEEEEET.

 

Sorry to disappoint, I won't have 19mm
There will be 20/22 brushed/polished. Bond striped, solid black, solid grey, solid dark blue.

 

Keep me in the loop. I have watches that need 20's and 22's too. Dark Blue mmmmmmmmmmmm