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NATO straps: 3 or 5 ringers

  1. DIV Aug 2, 2018

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    That extra flap ("5 ring") on a NATO strap....I just don't get it. Does it make the watch more secure?...does it justify the added bulk and hardware (one extra keeper)?

    I vastly prefer the "flapless" ("3-ring") design and I like to cut off the extra flap (with the exception of the Omega straps that came with my Trilogy pieces).
    20180802_143506.jpg
    Can someone explain the point of this extra flap?
    And yes, I know about the "Down under" method of splitting the flap, but it's still a minor hassle.

    Anyone care to comment?
     
    Edited Aug 2, 2018
  2. Faz Aug 2, 2018

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    NATO straps were designed for wear over various types of military clothing/equipment. You needed the extra length depending on the size or thickness of the clothing worn. For authenticity's sake, you get the full length NATO. For practicality, the short version.
     
  3. many Aug 2, 2018

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    I think he's referring to 5 ring NATOs vs 3 ring NATOs and not necessarily the length of the strap itself.

    I like both but it really depends on the watch. I'll wear 5 and 3 ring natos on a diver but only a 3 ring nato on a fois. On a diver the extra bulk of a 5 ring nato compliments a bulky diver while for a fois I think it detracts from it.
     
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  4. Faz Aug 2, 2018

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    Isn't the 5 ring version a ZULU?
     
  5. Faz Aug 2, 2018

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    Read carefully
     
  6. many Aug 2, 2018

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    Instead of being patronizing maybe point out what you feel I missed? The "extra flap" he is referring to seems to be the extra 2 rings on a 5 ring nato. In the picture he provided he clearly cut the "extra flap" off. The "extra flap" has nothing to do with the overall length of the nato.
     
    DIV likes this.
  7. Foo2rama Keeps his worms in a ball instead of a can. Aug 2, 2018

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    No the type of hardware defines Zulu. But 3 ring Zulu are more common.
     
  8. Dan S Aug 2, 2018

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    The extra flap supposedly makes it more secure in that the watch can't slide around as much (mainly an issue when not on your wrist), but it seems relatively unimportant.
     
    Edited Aug 2, 2018
  9. Tet I prefer Dilmah do try it Aug 2, 2018

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    The extra flap makes it sit nicer on the wrist IMO. I circumcised a couple of my NATOs but didn't like how the watch wore with the flaps gone so went back to as intended.
     
  10. Foo2rama Keeps his worms in a ball instead of a can. Aug 2, 2018

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    Technically the second flap is 2 prevent losing the watch. Both 3 and 5 ring allow for a springbar or welded bar to break. The 2nd flap is insurance in case the top strap breaks in the weak spot if the watch was caught on something. The weak spot is at the first keeper. Or so the rumor is. I don’t see how it keeps it in place better as one of my favorite watch/strap combos is a custom leather 3 ring Zulu with my SKX. 9904A9D5-B153-4CFE-A2BB-58368E2D18C5.jpeg
     
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  11. Dan S Aug 2, 2018

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    The leather ones don't slide around very much at all, they aren't slippery. But there is the potential for a watch to slide right off a nylon 3-ring strap if you hold it by the buckle end. Embarrassingly, this actually happened to me once as I was taking my watch off.
     
  12. DIV Aug 2, 2018

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    Yes, I meant 3 ring ("flapless") vs. 5 ring ("flap") and I've updated my post to clarify, although the 3rd's "ring" is the buckle. And thank you for the discussion and reasoning. I find that my relatively heavy Seamaster LE60 is quite stable with only 3 rings....NATO's (weather 3 or 5 ring) are a terrific choice for hot summer weather.
     
  13. pennsyl936 Aug 2, 2018

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    I agree,
     
  14. DonFreem Aug 8, 2018

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    I remember reading that the second strap is used to keep the watch from sliding down and off the strap if you hang the watch up by the strap buckle.
     
  15. Spacefruit Prolific Speedmaster Hoarder Aug 8, 2018

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    This thread is flapping ridiculous.
     
  16. Perseus Aug 8, 2018

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    I've been told the extra flap is to keep the watch from sliding off the strap when the strap is picked up. I hate them and cut them off, even on the expensive Omega Natos.