Leather NATO: Should this even be a thing?

ras47 · May 18, 2017

JimInOz
Leather NATO
Chocolate Teapot
Military Intelligence
Political Integrity
Religious Tolerance

I could go on, but I have to wash my nylon two piece.

This:

I have that same strap with black buckle/hardware and its my second favorite. I generally use the original black leather strap with deployment clasp, but the black two-piece nylon strap is great too.

I tried a black/gray NATO strap and while I liked the color combo with the traditional Speedmaster dial, I found the NATO strap added too much bulk at the lugs. Very disappointing, but luckily for me I bought a relatively cheap NATO clone before springing for the actual Omega one.

abrod520 · May 18, 2017

Archer
I have with the cheaestnatosstraps.com versions. Now if I spring for one of Omega's leather NATO's (not gonna happen) I wouldn't expect it to stretch much, but then again I would not be able to make that nice, tight fold to tuck the loose end in either. Just saying that in my experience there's a trade off with the leather being thin enough to fold over as you suggested.

Oh, not disagreed. I don't think I've ever handled the leather Omega NATO but I also assume it'd be impossible to tuck under. However, at least with their coated nylon NATOs, they seem to be just the right length for my large wrist that I don't need to tuck them in

Giff2577 · May 18, 2017

Here is one of mine:

They are comfortable.

Spacefruit · May 18, 2017

I have always regarded NATO straps as the horological equivalent of paddock tyres.

Foo2rama · May 18, 2017

Spacefruit
I have always regarded NATO straps as the horological equivalent of paddock tyres.

Yeah, but you know how much fun it is to take a car out on the track with paddock tires? 😉

It went something like this...

trackpad · May 18, 2017

ossfm
We are precious today about leather considering the "fine corinthian" stuff is a luxury upgrade to our automobiles and handbags. That doesn't mean it's not tough stuff though.

Good points, and further argument against high-end, "pampered" leather NATO's in the +100 USD range.

...

Morrisdog
Who cares about its historical (or lack off) context. Just take it for what it is, an easy to change and comfortable leather strap. No more stuffing about with a spring bar tool!!

A very nice insight – and one I had not considered at all...and which now it seems obvious in retrospect. 😉

For the record, it's wasn't the historical accuracy as much as the functionality of the design. But you've provided some cover here in that regard. Especially relevant as I'm a strapist and a NATO lover...and as such, frequently changing most of my watches between leather and nylon on a near weekly basis.

Kmart · May 18, 2017

I agree with you @trackpad. Leather NATOs always end up looking a bit silly to me. If you're going to wear a leather strap, make it a two piece. If you want something casual / for warmer weather, a (nylon) NATO is the way to go.

trackpad · May 19, 2017

Kmart
I agree with you @trackpad. Leather NATOs always end up looking a bit silly to me. If you're going to wear a leather strap, make it a two piece. If you want something casual / for warmer weather, a (nylon) NATO is the way to go.

Yeah, I...totally hear you. Part of me still even wants to agree. But I'm on record now admitting they can look pretty damn cool. The utility of a quick-change to leather is also appealing.

I started this thread as both Leather-NATO curious a Leather-NATO skeptic. But I'm ending up just curious. One thing I am still struggling with and resisting is the urge to cheap-out on it...even as an experiment.

crl848 · May 19, 2017

I wear leather natos on fixed bar milwatches on occasion. But the tuck thing is a problem.

michael22 · May 19, 2017

I hate tucking the strap, I always shorten it.
I have avoided leather NATO's because of the thickness, & thought I would one day make a couple from kangaroo leather, which is thin & strong.

trackpad · May 19, 2017

Most major cities (and even smaller ones in Europe) have a guy who heels shoes, knows a little about leather...and for some reason also duplicates keys...not sure how these things got lumped together – but I digress.

I'm talking about this guy.

It seems such a shop would be perfectly capable of finishing the edge of a strap at a length that made tucking unnecessary. @jankoxxx could probably better speak to this.

ConElPueblo · May 19, 2017

trackpad
...Nso many two piece straps that is described as "vintage style"...when as far as I can tell, no one actually ever wore watch straps like this in the past.

One of my pet peeves, that.

FTR, I have a leather NATO (cheapestnatostraps.com) which I use on heavier divers. Very comfortable, more so than two-piece leather straps, as the NATO makes the heavier watch case balance better one the wrist.

Leather NATO: Should this even be a thing?

ras47

abrod520

Giff2577

Spacefruit

Foo2rama

trackpad

Kmart

trackpad

crl848

michael22

trackpad

ConElPueblo

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