I ordered some natos from Blueshark for my SpeedmasterPro that looked great when they came in, but wore quickly. The grey one in the picture was only worn for 5 days, the black Omega one was worn for 2 months. The buckle holes are already worn on the Blueshark and the Omega one shows no signs of wear at all.

Has anyone found that the non-OEM natos wear this quickly?

If you order an Omega nato online it comes with a nice case, a soft pad to change the watch on, the same spring bar tool that comes with the watch, and 2 braclet spring bars as well as 2 strap spring bars that are 1mm longer.

I understand you only get this kit if you order online. Not sure why a Boutique purchase does not come with the extra goodies.

 

I only ever wear OEM NATO straps. To wear cheap ones on an expensive watch to me is like buying an expensive car and then putting budget tyres on it and cheap oil in the engine.

 

There is of course different quality of NATO and in your case I think that square holes on the left one add some additional weakness.

 

Omega OEM straps are expensive but worth the money in my opinion.
I own 3 of them with the one for my PO three years old, been worn loads and still looks brand new.

 

Agree Omega NATO are 2nd to none. Super quality without any issues

 

I’ve owned loads of NATO’s including some more premium ones. None has had the feel or durability of the omega ones I have now. That’s not to say some of the premium ones are not good, just for me I’d rather buy one omega than 3 others as I know I will like it.

 

I have both of the straps the OP posted and can confirm this is what happens with the BluShark premium line. That said, a step down from there they have some great straps that won't degrade at the holes like that. I believe the draw on the premium line is the feel of them; they're quite soft, softer than the OEM straps by a lot. That all said, I love my Omega straps.

 

I personally don't like BluShark but there are other "seatbelt" NATOs out there that won't wear out quickly like that. Omega NATOs are still nicer, but for 1/10th the price the cheap ones are at the very least a great way to try out a color combination before diving in.

 

I'd say Omega straps look like reasonable options. I bought several of these reinforced NATO's from a company in Switzerland after one of my Glycines came with a version of them. They maintain their integrity pretty well, all things considered. Just selling them now, recently moving away from NATO straps.

 

Was this strap (the Omega version) ordered within the USA or outside of NA?

 

The strap was ordered from USA.

Thanks everyone for the feedback. I was not expecting the Blueshark to be on par with Omega, but they were less than $20 each (I bought 5) and for that amount I was willing to roll the dice and accept something of lesser quality. I just wasn't expecting some of them wear like that in less than a week.

 

I've got a Glycine with this type of strap. It's in really good shape despite the about of torment I put it through (hiking, gym, other sweaty activities).



I finally did pony up for an Omega nato recently. Can't yet attest to the durability, but it is a very nice, very comfortable strap. Still, seems like 90%+ of the $160 price tag must be pure profit for Omega though...

 

If I may vouch for the crown and buckle supreme NATO. Excellent quality and you can get three for the price of an omega strap

 

Interesting thread. I bought a NATO on Etsy just to see if I could get along with one. Quality was reasonable I thought. Ordered one from Beaverbrooks a UK based jewellery shop. Received it with no extras whatsoever. It arrived in a jiffy bag inside a cellophane tamper proof sleeve. I'm returning it since I bought from eBay the complete set as pictured above. The NATO from eBay is far better in quality than the Etsy one and is as new. The Etsy one served a purpose but I wasn't keeping an almost five thousand pound watch on a twenty pound strap.The Etsy one had Omega logo on and the 007 logo too but far inferior with a very loose buckle. Very pleased with the Omega one.

 

'quality is remembered long after price is forgotten...' that saying seems to hold water here

 

I don’t think quality is a necessary feature of a NATO. Like ‘designer’ combat pants it kind of misses the point.

 

To each his/her own... but personally I think quality is a necessary feature of (and exactly the point of obtaining) just about anything really.

 

+1 in favor of the OEM Nato.
Only ones I've found that come close in quality and comfort is Haveston Parade (excellent) and some of the Crown&Buckle items.
The bonus of the movable 2nd keeper on the Omega really helps get a comfy fit.

 

Omega NATO strap all day, every day. Not cheap but totally worth it

 

The OEM NATOs are fantastic, and I own two of them. But I have to say, the ToxicNatos Shiznits (premium, seatbelt-type NATOs) are objectively pretty much their equal, and are a bargain to boot.