What you get is the most accurate reproduction of a period correct NASA Velcro strap made. Sure, it is expensive but the value is in the research, sourcing of materials, craftsmanship, and accuracy.

As someone that recently spent some time with a flown NASA Velcro strap, I can tell you that the Kizzi NASA straps are almost a perfect 1:1 replication of the original straps down to the number of stitches.

Flown NASA Velcro strap...



Kizzi NASA strap...

 

c'mon....the value isn't in the materials. the materials do not make it expensive. buying basic hook and loop in length with costs pennies

you can literally make this strap yourself for 50 cents if you had the know how.

 

if you had the know how... Now's there's a challenge for someone.

 

Well I have a Kizzi strap and it really is spot on, if you notice a lot of these other "replicas" just add a few original details where as the Kizzi is complete and as accurate as can be.

Saying you can "make this strap yourself for 50 cents if you had the know how" is ridiculous, you dont have the know how and neither do 99.9% of us hence why we earn money at things we do know how to do and spend it on things we dont know how to do..

 

Just received the Kizzi strap and all I can say it's worth every penny. The attention to detail is excellent and I couldn't be more satified..

 

I have this one, I like it a lot.

 

Hi Befobe

You may read that I found a stash of vintage 1970's Velcro loop tape, and got mixed up with attribution. Been waiting until I could source a good picture of the thickness of real NASA Velcro straps, this one is 19" long as used on Gemini missions and Apollo cuff checklists.



Joseph Bonnie/ Peter Czernin appear to use a particularly thin type of Velcro brand "Velours" which isn't even the normal Velcro brand hook and loop tape, which looks similar to https://www.extremtextil.de/en/velcro-hook-and-loop/velours-velcro-loop-tape.html, but I don't know for sure.

Perhaps some people just prefer Joseph Bonnie NASA straps, I get that. But there's a claim that they're almost identical to those NASA used, and I don't think that's accurate.The real stuff is a mare to sew, it really needs the binding tape to reinforce it.

Velcro wars, hahaha!

 

I have an Omega NASA Velcro strap, a bit more expensive, but, I find it very comfortable. I wear the strap two different ways, double loop around my wrist... a clean and neat look or I literally wrap around my wrist twice and the straps don’t line up.
Biggest issue is taking off as I need to remove the watch head in order to remove strap from my wrist, especially with first technique... see images, bottom image taken off internet, not my watch, to demonstrate second technique of how to wear strap.

 

My understanding is the original is basically impossible to get. It’s fire retardant like beta cloth. It is also a different loop type.

If anyone is interested I can try to get the full spec for it.

 

That would be interesting to see. You're thinking of Astro-Velcro that was discontinued in the 90's. It was created after the Apollo 1 fire when they wanted nothing flammable in the spacecraft. It had a beta fabric base, Teflon hooks woven into the base and held in place with Fluorel elastomer. The keepers were something called Armalon, which is basically a stiffer form of beta cloth and was also used for the Apollo couches.

NASA used regular black Nylon Velcro from Gemini, and continued with it from Apollo 11. It was still used for lunar training up to Apollo 12. I make a decent replica, but it's not the real stuff. You can read about it here.

 

Hi Kizzi,
Thanks for these expert words...! Coincidence, I was on your www when you replied...
I easily agree with you. I took out my JBonnie one, and checked again, it is really too thin... I can see light through it!...
I hesitate between your green or the white...
See you there!
B.

 

Thanks for that, I was piecing together some stuff Adam Savage had put out and some info from Ryan Nagata. I was not 100% sure of the details.

 

Talking of light, I was making up some more Apollo watchbands, but I need natural daylight to see the typewriter impression on the OD tape, and it's too dark now.

So stock update is put back another day

 

Do you mean you are making some additionnal "SHORT NASA WATCHBAND (APOLLO/SKYLAB)" ?...

 

Oops! Deleted.

 

If you can find it I'd love to see it. I sent Ryan Nagata some spare un-napped Nylon Velcro I had, and I heard he used it in one of his replica spacesuits.
I use better stuff that is actually fireproof now. But it's no use mentioning it as a selling point as I'd have to certify the strap for it to mean anything.

 

SIDUNA M-3440
paired with a short KIZZI NASA VELCRO strap

 

update ... KIZZI NASA VELCRO STRAP

the last post here on this thread is / are photos of my SIDUNA M- 3440 Bi-COMPAX CHRONOGRAPH on the velcro strap. I still own both the strap and the chronograph ... the strap has held up very very well I must say

it is now December of 2022 .. this time i have the SAME strap on a CITIZEN 52-0110 CHALLENGE 150M DIVER from 1977 ...

 

That's great to hear! I'm always asked how long the Apollo-era Velcro holds up. All I really knew was it was qualified for a one off journey to the moon and back. Obviously did the job on the day, but that's wasn't always good enough for some . Expecting something looking like a prop from 2001: A Space Odyssey I suppose.