My Omega Nato Strap Experience

mokofoko · Apr 30, 2017

I was a huge fan of nato straps at first, and the quality of Omega nato's is just fantastic compared to the generic $13 nato's you'll find on ebay. The rigidity of the omega nato is a double-edged sword though. They didn't really sit right on my wrist, and they shifted around a lot. Applying some sort of grip-stick adhesive probably would help adhere to the wrist, but then I'd have to research what was safe. I also didn't like having to snake the end of the strap back through the buckle. I could have taken a hot xacto-knife to cut off excess, but I couldn't bring myself to disfigure a $200 strap 🙁

mikesspeedy · May 3, 2017

munichblue
I do love the OEM NATO, especially on my Seamaster. I like the quality, the solidness and the appearance and personally don't think they are overpriced. Bought a Rio recently for my AT and blue PO.

looks very nice I just love the look of the OMEGA Nato Any chance of a picture of the Rio NATO on the blue watch?

munichblue · May 3, 2017

mikesspeedy
looks very nice I just love the look of the OMEGA Nato Any chance of a picture of the Rio NATO on the blue watch?

On the fly only this one where you can see the Rio on my blue AT. Will make some pictures with my blue PO after my holidays.

mikesspeedy · May 4, 2017

munichblue
On the fly only this one where you can see the Rio on my blue AT. Will make some pictures with my blue PO after my holidays.

Nice collection. Interesting to see the different dimensions as well as different watch bodies and straps. The Rio looks good it still had that nice sheen on the strap that I have only seen on an Omega NATO. I love the bracelet on the Panda that really looks retro with the chunky bracelet. Thank you for sharing.

Morrisdog · May 4, 2017

I am also a NATO strap fan. I have six cheap crown and buckle natos and one bond omega nato. These are all 21 mm and for my Ti SM 300. My biggest disappointment with the omega natos is the lack of blue straps . The only option is the blue and white rio strap which is a little too loud for my taste. It's strange as they have so many blue watches !! Sometimes I wonder what their product development guys are thinking!!

The strap omega straps qualify is miles ahead of the crown and buckle ones . It's just so much more comfortable . It's a bit longer so it's much easier to use over a wet suit for diving etc. i was not a massive fan of how high it made the Watch sit so after some deliberation I cut of the extra keeper on my $200 + strap.. i much prefer it this way. I have kept the keepers on my cheaper crown and buckle straps as these are much thinner and the watch does not stick out as much with them.

Omega needs to release a blue grey bond style as well as an admiralty grey with blue edges nato.. admiralty grey was the original nato colour introduced by the ministry of defence and so this should be represent by a brand such as omega with a rich military watch history..

JSal16 · May 4, 2017

munichblue
On the fly only this one where you can see the Rio on my blue AT. Will make some pictures with my blue PO after my holidays.

Very impressive quiver!

mikesspeedy · Jul 6, 2017

Just got my Omega Rio NATO (it cost £115) and put it on my blue seamaster 300. The strap is very thick and a little more course than the other Omega NATO that I have. I like the strap is split into 8 lanes and on one of the polished stainless retainers the track lanes are numbers(nice touch). Looks ok on the watch and will help me save the stainless bracelet from getting scuffed this summer. I may even send the bracelet to omega for cleaning up. I have to say Omega NATOs are very nicely made, they do look great.

mr_yossarian · Jul 6, 2017

If it comes to those straps, I wonder why no one mentioned the Velcro Nasa reproduction yet. I own one, it wears great, doesn't go over the caseback, excellent quality at 60 Euros and is nice authentic.

mikesspeedy · Jul 6, 2017

I got one too. it was with the extras that came in the big fancy box. not had a use for it yet, but I plan to wear the watch on the outside of my winter north face coat using the NASA Velcro.

mr_yossarian · Jul 6, 2017

mikesspeedy
I got one too. it was with the extras that came in the big fancy box. not had a use for it yet, but I plan to wear the watch on the outside of my winter north face coat using the NASA Velcro.

I really like it a lot and it's easier to use and more comfortable than the Omega stocking 😀

Euxinus · Jul 6, 2017

Am I the only one that doesn't mind the omega NATO hardware? After wearing mine I inspected my wrist for the indent that people complain about, and I did not have one.

It should be worth noting that I wear my NATO such that my watch can move ever so slightly up and down ( 12 to 6) if I shake my hand, not super tight but definitely not loose. This made me wonder how tight are other members wearing them?

All in all my verdict is that the omega NATO beat the cheap ones, but I have recently put in an order from phenomnato as everyone who has tried them seems to give positive reviews.

Since no post is complete without pictures, here is my speedy on the black NATO it came with.

Morrisdog · Jul 6, 2017

I love my omega strap too!! But with the flappy bit cut off. I have currently found strap nirvana with single pass through leather NATOs

So the omega nato is used when I anticipate the watch will get wet. It's also my go to strap for holidays. I just wish there were some better colour options for us guys with blue watches.

Foo2rama · Jul 6, 2017

I prefer pass through leathers also. I have no idea about an indent. Doesn't happen on my Omega NATO.

mikesspeedy · Jul 7, 2017

Morrisdog
I love my omega strap too!! But with the flappy bit cut off. I have currently found strap nirvana with single pass through leather NATOs

So the omega nato is used when I anticipate the watch will get wet. It's also my go to strap for holidays. I just wish there were some better colour options for us guys with blue watches.

I never get that indentation with my Omega NATOs. Your wearing your speedy exactly how I am for the summer. Looks and feels good doesn't it? also got my seamaster 300 bond on a Rio NATO just for the summer.

not sure how other members are getting those indentations from the hardware, I guess we are all different.

Morrisdog · Jul 7, 2017

mikesspeedy
I never get that indentation with my Omega NATOs. Your wearing your speedy exactly how I am for the summer. Looks and feels good doesn't it? also got my seamaster 300 bond on a Rio NATO just for the summer.

not sure how other members are getting those indentations from the hardware, I guess we are all different.

I also did not have any problems with indentation. I just felt the omega nato made my watch sit too high for my liking, hence the reason why I cut off the extra flappy bit. As this now converts this G10 style nato to a single pass through strap the watch does not wear as high and hence feels a little less bulky.

mikesspeedy · Jul 14, 2017

View attachment 415549 View attachment 415550

Morrisdog
I love my omega strap too!! But with the flappy bit cut off. I have currently found strap nirvana with single pass through leather NATOs

So the omega nato is used when I anticipate the watch will get wet. It's also my go to strap for holidays. I just wish there were some better colour options for us guys with blue watches.

I get the point about more options for blue watches, which is odd considering the number of blue watches Omega have produced over the years. The Omega RIO NATO I have is blue and white I'm not sue it goes too well with my seamaster 300 from the bond days but I think It looks OK and actually I really like the strap so looking ok or not I wear it in the summer. I really like the look of the leather strap you have with your seamaster 300, looks great.

Morrisdog · Jul 17, 2017

mikesspeedy

View attachment 415549 View attachment 415550

I get the point about more options for blue watches, which is odd considering the number of blue watches Omega have produced over the years. The Omega RIO NATO I have is blue and white I'm not sue it goes too well with my seamaster 300 from the bond days but I think It looks OK and actually I really like the strap so looking ok or not I wear it in the summer. I really like the look of the leather strap you have with your seamaster 300, looks great.

I think it looks good on your Seamaster 300. I tried the Rio on mine and I didn't think it worked as well. I think my yellow lume does not work with the white stripes in the Rio.

thelinendial · May 19, 2019

I just bought the Omega Nato and tried it on, and boy am I disappointed with the keeper digging into my skin. I wish I read this thread first as I just peeled off the blue stickers on the metal before trying it on.

Taking it back to the store.

boraxman · May 20, 2019

Hard to find a quality NATO in 19mm 🙁

thelinendial · May 20, 2019

Euxinus
Am I the only one that doesn't mind the omega NATO hardware? After wearing mine I inspected my wrist for the indent that people complain about, and I did not have one.

It should be worth noting that I wear my NATO such that my watch can move ever so slightly up and down ( 12 to 6) if I shake my hand, not super tight but definitely not loose. This made me wonder how tight are other members wearing them?

All in all my verdict is that the omega NATO beat the cheap ones, but I have recently put in an order from phenomnato as everyone who has tried them seems to give positive reviews.

Since no post is complete without pictures, here is my speedy on the black NATO it came with.

I don't wear mine super tight. Also tried wearing it looser too but it's still uncomfortable. It may simply be where it sits on my wrists which are smaller than average.

My Omega Nato Strap Experience

mokofoko

mikesspeedy

munichblue

mikesspeedy

Morrisdog

JSal16

mikesspeedy

mr_yossarian

mikesspeedy

mr_yossarian

Euxinus

Morrisdog

Foo2rama

mikesspeedy

Morrisdog

mikesspeedy

Morrisdog

thelinendial

boraxman

thelinendial

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