Author Topic: NATO watchbands (Read 2602 times)

Perd Hapley · « **on:** May 13, 2016, 10:48:51 PM »

This is for an old Timex of mine, 20mm. I'll probably buy one of their Weekender straps, but I thought I'd ask if there's another brand that all you stone cold operators prefer.

Thanks.

I am also looking at this one, since it comes with the tools.

http://www.amazon.com/Watch-Band-Nylon-NATO-strap/dp/B01COB8Z22/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1463193903&sr=8-1&keywords=weekender+green+20mm#technicalSpecifications_feature_div

MillCreek · « **Reply #1 on:** May 13, 2016, 11:06:42 PM »

I am a big fan of the NATO strap. My favorite on Amazon is the Art Style brand. They are better made and more durable than the typical NATO strap.

BobR · « **Reply #2 on:** May 14, 2016, 04:51:23 PM »

I prefer Warsaw Pact bands. The quality is pretty good or else the political prisoners making them have their gruel ration cut down.

bob

dogmush · « **Reply #3 on:** May 14, 2016, 05:19:16 PM »

I am actually not that much of a fan of those straps. I have one that is very similar that came on one of my Luminoxs, so I guess that brand.

FWIW I wouldn't buy that one because it looks like the loops are too small to feed the running end of the strap back through. So you are likely to have an annoying loose end sticking out.

De Selby · « **Reply #4 on:** May 14, 2016, 09:25:41 PM »

Maratac

Boomhauer · « **Reply #5 on:** May 15, 2016, 02:01:16 PM »

What about breakaway safety? Looks like the NATO bands don't have it to me, but I've never owned one

dogmush · « **Reply #6 on:** May 15, 2016, 02:12:56 PM »

Quote from: Boomhauer on May 15, 2016, 02:01:16 PM

What about breakaway safety? Looks like the NATO bands don't have it to me, but I've never owned one

The spring pins fail pretty easy.

Boomhauer · « **Reply #7 on:** May 15, 2016, 02:31:49 PM »

Quote from: dogmush on May 15, 2016, 02:12:56 PM

The spring pins fail pretty easy.

Talking about the band itself since it's one loop of nylon, right?

I've gotten caught my my watch band before fortunately it was a cheapie that broke easily

dogmush · « **Reply #8 on:** May 15, 2016, 02:49:35 PM »

Quote from: Boomhauer on May 15, 2016, 02:31:49 PM

Talking about the band itself since it's one loop of nylon, right?

I've gotten caught my my watch band before fortunately it was a cheapie that broke easily

I guess it would depend on the pin holding the buckle on. That'd be the weak point. It's not like you put your wrist through a continuous loop of nylon. There's still an end and a metal buckle.

mtnbkr · « **Reply #9 on:** May 15, 2016, 02:56:24 PM »

The point of the NATO band is to retain the watch if a pin breaks. If your needs involve full breakaway in the case of a snag, don't use a NATO band.

Chris

bscl · « **Reply #10 on:** May 16, 2016, 02:45:32 PM »

http://natostrapco.com/

They have a very large variety of straps with different patterns and materials too. I haven't used them, but they seem to be a good vendor based on what I've read at the Watchuseek forums.

AJ Dual · « **Reply #11 on:** May 16, 2016, 02:53:43 PM »

Quote from: De Selby on May 14, 2016, 09:25:41 PM

Maratac

This, but the main outlet seems to be CountyComm, and unless you've got a lot of other widgets you want there to go with it, you're going to get killed on the shipping.

Perd Hapley · « **Reply #12 on:** May 16, 2016, 10:37:39 PM »

I'm thinking I'll go with the Art Style thing that MillCreek mentioned. They come with the tool gizmo, and extra pins, and they're priced low enough I can get a green one and a khaki. Not sure which I'll prefer.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01BU44WP8/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_img?_encoding=UTF8&colid=1YOCJLA2HCCHT&coliid=ICGWWWJAEWPZH&psc=1

Perd Hapley · « **Reply #13 on:** June 08, 2016, 11:18:12 AM »

Quote from: MillCreek on May 13, 2016, 11:06:42 PM

I am a big fan of the NATO strap. My favorite on Amazon is the Art Style brand. They are better made and more durable than the typical NATO strap.

I got a couple of these, and they seem quite alright. They're a 5-ring type, which is probably about 2 rings too many. When I wear them the "proper" way, they're just barely long enough. Which is fine, since I don't want a lot of extra strap to deal with. I thought my wrists were fairly average.

The Proper Way:

Or so says the internet. At least it gives that fifth ring something to do.

These watch bands have changed my life, though. I find myself changing them out, to coordinate with what I'm wearing. It's fabulous!

MillCreek · « **Reply #14 on:** June 16, 2016, 01:40:43 PM »

^^^So I have apparently been doing my NATO straps incorrectly all these years. I just rethreaded one of my straps as per Fistful's picture. It sure does take care of the excess strap length issue.

Perd Hapley · « **Reply #15 on:** June 16, 2016, 03:24:02 PM »

Quote from: MillCreek on June 16, 2016, 01:40:43 PM

^^^So I have apparently been doing my NATO straps incorrectly all these years.

Now you know why we've all been laughing at you.

AJ Dual · « **Reply #16 on:** June 16, 2016, 04:35:49 PM »

I like my NATO Maratac watchband a great deal. But I always feel like the spring bars are just going to fail if I catch the watch on anything. Whereas a solid metal link chain type band would at least try to keep the spring bars from bending and pulling out of the bezel.

Perd Hapley · « **Reply #17 on:** June 17, 2016, 11:59:04 AM »

The "proper way" is supposed to take some pressure off of the outer band, so if the band gets pulled, the inner band takes the strain.

Blakenzy · « **Reply #18 on:** June 17, 2016, 10:59:48 PM »

Damn.. that's some complicated 'gineering

*walks off to 5-day course on how put on wrist watch

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Author Topic: NATO watchbands (Read 2602 times)