I love your NATO straps. They are so comfortable, and it's great changing the straps to match the clothes I'm wearing on any given day. Since I have 20 mm lugs on one watch, and your straps are so comfortable on my 22 mm lug watch, I've ordered straps for the 20 mm lug watch.
This was a neat, relatively obscure video to stumble upon, I enjoyed the personal conversation. My interest in NATOs started with TGV mentioning their comfort and flexibility, after which I picked one up from a local brand. A black-red-grey Bond design that'd suit a gifted Seiko Chronograph piece well, only in true Bond fashion, the 20mm strap I got did not fit the 22mm lugs. I ended up putting it on a Casio Calculator watch, which was uncomfortable on it's factory bracelet from a case screw poking in my skin while wearing. Despite this piece also having 22mm lugs, it fits perfectly, suits the piece well and after feeling how comfortable it is I've fallen for NATOs. My main piece and soon to be first automatic of my collection are on NATOs, but both are currently in shipping transit unfortunately. The rest of my pieces have various cheap bracelets and even a resin band, but not wearing NATOs for a short while makes me appreciate them more still once either arrives. In the future I will look at WatchGecko's NATOs, the bands I have enjoyed so far have all been moderately cheap, so that is bound to be a significant upgrade.
I’ve been with Watchgecko fom the start and have hundreds of Natos and many from other manufacturers. Over the years they have turned into a top quality strap manufacturer and It’s my go too for a new strap or watch. Can’t wait to see the crazy horse strap as it will be a first for me! Just one thing the E Natos are superb but the keepers are too tight to get a fold over especially on the 20mm i really hope you adjust this shortfall! Look forward to the next 10 years 👍
I’ve bought natos from many different people including some youtubers who have started their own brand but watchgecko/zuludiver have been the most resilient and toughest as well as being most comfortable, they’re also well priced, I got one from a youtuber’s brand paid more than zuludiver and the holes frayed in a well despite being “sealed” my much older natos from wg/zd are still going strong and still look great
All my watches en up on g10 straps. While I first was more into the "premium nato" stuff I must say today, the simpler the better. For me, the OG is the Phoenix. Yes, it frays but for me, this is just part of the charm. To me, no strap is more comfortable than a good g10 strap.
Apparently Bonds strap in Goldfinger was made from a Boys ‘Snake belt’ cut to size and sewn at the back, hence the banding and colour. It was never a NATO
1:25 - Not really, the same basic design of the 1973 MOD specifications was used in the 1954 version or AF0210, with the short strap with additional metal loop for avoid the watch slide over the main strap and the canvas material of the previous versions was replaced by Nylon. Can see this strap in a 1954 Smiths watch advertisement. And this short strap for avoid the watch slide was used in the 1944 V.B. Hygienique strap, but the loop in the short strap was made in canvas, and is seem to in early 1900's early leather strap for wristwatches.
90% of my watches end up on a simple 1 piece nylon strap similar to the basic Marathon watch straps. It's the most comfortable for me. It's light, secure and not bulky with extra metal buckles and keepers.
NATO Style straps in both Nylon and Cotton Canvas webbing were officially issued in the 1950's. Bond's strap was NOT an Issued strap although there is a theory that the RAF had similar designs in the 1950's. Which is probably true, Unit Commanders had and still have the authority to locally purchase items. For example it is 'rumoured' that the Hong Kong garrison never 'demanded' straps (and certain other items such as uniforms) to be sent from UK MOD sources when it was far far far cheaper to get them locally made in Hong Kong
Very interesting. It seems like after watching literally 50 videos on the subject some light is being shed. One thing though still is not clear to me: when was the variant Zulu introduced? By whom? It seems like a more rugged version of the G10(98) strap. On the actual Nato site there is a short history of Nato straps and the image they chose is that of a 5 ring black Zulu strap with brushed rings and they show how it's correctly worn. Most people on YT suggest wrong or at least alternative ways of wearing it. As I would consider the Zulu highly utilitarian in its origin I now prefer to wear it the 'right' way. All new to me as I never was into watches that much. My take on the Zulu is this: technically the main features are an extra long strap to a) fit over a wetsuit and b) to thread the strap so that you relieve the tension from the springbars minimizing failure risk in rugged conditions. Also the double keeper after the buckle allows to secure the watch so that even if the buckle fails the watch stays on. Def an acquired taste but I have now fallen in love with it. Took me a few days of trying different versions of wearing it and understanding the why. Many people don't like the bulky look. Imho that looks awesome on some watches, like a Seiko Turtle for example. Other watches look better with a single pass fabric strap so they won't bulk up so much.
Question for ya’. By any crazy chance do you plan to offer Pelagos FXD-like single pass (with Velcro so no hardware) straps? I would purchase two or three for my FXD if offered. No one else is currently offering this style so you’ll be the first! Please?! Oh, could you start with the basics; solid black and grey? 🤓
I prefer the single pass through but are hard to find in the design I prefer. Instead, I get a NATO strap "Bond type", and cut off the extra loop. Note: In the first two 007 movies, Sean Connery had an undersized strap, that looked funny on this watch.
years ago it came out(from someone on the production team iirc) that the 'Bond nato' wasn't anything to do with nato/issued/regimental colours etc strap the watch interwebs believes. The Rolex he wore was the directors, who had a smaller wrist than Sean, so they sent out a production runner to buy a strap that would fit. They returned with an aftermarket single piece colourful nylon strap that was very fashionable at the time. I've seen them in other 60's movies and NOS examples on original display cards from the 1960's show up on ebay from time to time.
@@MrGrentch Fun fact: If the "NATO" strap was create in 1973 - like the gentleman interviewed say in the video at 0:30, how "James Bond" use one in a 1964 movie? What became know as "NATO" strap - a double band strap with metal keepers was not created in 1973, just receive a new MoD specifications in that year, basically only changing the width from 18,5mm of 1996 specification to 20mm. The 1954 British specification for the AF.0210 strap issued in 1945 have the same design and material (Nylon) of the one from 1973.
I love your NATO straps. They are so comfortable, and it's great changing the straps to match the clothes I'm wearing on any given day. Since I have 20 mm lugs on one watch, and your straps are so comfortable on my 22 mm lug watch, I've ordered straps for the 20 mm lug watch.
This was a neat, relatively obscure video to stumble upon, I enjoyed the personal conversation.
My interest in NATOs started with TGV mentioning their comfort and flexibility, after which I picked one up from a local brand.
A black-red-grey Bond design that'd suit a gifted Seiko Chronograph piece well, only in true Bond fashion, the 20mm strap I got did not fit the 22mm lugs.
I ended up putting it on a Casio Calculator watch, which was uncomfortable on it's factory bracelet from a case screw poking in my skin while wearing.
Despite this piece also having 22mm lugs, it fits perfectly, suits the piece well and after feeling how comfortable it is I've fallen for NATOs.
My main piece and soon to be first automatic of my collection are on NATOs, but both are currently in shipping transit unfortunately.
The rest of my pieces have various cheap bracelets and even a resin band, but not wearing NATOs for a short while makes me appreciate them more still once either arrives.
In the future I will look at WatchGecko's NATOs, the bands I have enjoyed so far have all been moderately cheap, so that is bound to be a significant upgrade.
I’m a huge fan of the looks of those vintage patina leather natos, can’t wait to see them!
I’ve been with Watchgecko fom the start and have hundreds of Natos and many from other manufacturers.
Over the years they have turned into a top quality strap manufacturer and It’s my go too for a new strap or watch.
Can’t wait to see the crazy horse strap as it will be a first for me!
Just one thing the E Natos are superb but the keepers are too tight to get a fold over especially on the 20mm i really hope you adjust this shortfall!
Look forward to the next 10 years 👍
I’ve bought natos from many different people including some youtubers who have started their own brand but watchgecko/zuludiver have been the most resilient and toughest as well as being most comfortable, they’re also well priced, I got one from a youtuber’s brand paid more than zuludiver and the holes frayed in a well despite being “sealed” my much older natos from wg/zd are still going strong and still look great
All my watches en up on g10 straps. While I first was more into the "premium nato" stuff I must say today, the simpler the better.
For me, the OG is the Phoenix. Yes, it frays but for me, this is just part of the charm. To me, no strap is more comfortable than a good g10 strap.
It’s a brilliant and simple design as some men have HUgE wrists like my best and some have super skinny wrists! It fits everyone properly.
Went and bought 4 leather Crazy Horse straps. PS I grew up next to the Crazy Horse mountain.
Apparently Bonds strap in Goldfinger was made from a Boys ‘Snake belt’ cut to size and sewn at the back, hence the banding and colour. It was never a NATO
1:25 - Not really, the same basic design of the 1973 MOD specifications was used in the 1954 version or AF0210, with the short strap with additional metal loop for avoid the watch slide over the main strap and the canvas material of the previous versions was replaced by Nylon. Can see this strap in a 1954 Smiths watch advertisement.
And this short strap for avoid the watch slide was used in the 1944 V.B. Hygienique strap, but the loop in the short strap was made in canvas, and is seem to in early 1900's early leather strap for wristwatches.
Yes RAF 6B/2617 strap.
90% of my watches end up on a simple 1 piece nylon strap similar to the basic Marathon watch straps. It's the most comfortable for me. It's light, secure and not bulky with extra metal buckles and keepers.
I always had the doubt: If the Nato straps were created in 1973, then why Sean Connery wore one in 1963. This video answered that question. Thank you!
NATO Style straps in both Nylon and Cotton Canvas webbing were officially issued in the 1950's.
Bond's strap was NOT an Issued strap although there is a theory that the RAF had similar designs in the 1950's. Which is probably true, Unit Commanders had and still have the authority to locally purchase items. For example it is 'rumoured' that the Hong Kong garrison never 'demanded' straps (and certain other items such as uniforms) to be sent from UK MOD sources when it was far far far cheaper to get them locally made in Hong Kong
Very interesting. It seems like after watching literally 50 videos on the subject some light is being shed. One thing though still is not clear to me: when was the variant Zulu introduced? By whom? It seems like a more rugged version of the G10(98) strap. On the actual Nato site there is a short history of Nato straps and the image they chose is that of a 5 ring black Zulu strap with brushed rings and they show how it's correctly worn. Most people on YT suggest wrong or at least alternative ways of wearing it. As I would consider the Zulu highly utilitarian in its origin I now prefer to wear it the 'right' way. All new to me as I never was into watches that much.
My take on the Zulu is this: technically the main features are an extra long strap to a) fit over a wetsuit and b) to thread the strap so that you relieve the tension from the springbars minimizing failure risk in rugged conditions. Also the double keeper after the buckle allows to secure the watch so that even if the buckle fails the watch stays on. Def an acquired taste but I have now fallen in love with it. Took me a few days of trying different versions of wearing it and understanding the why.
Many people don't like the bulky look. Imho that looks awesome on some watches, like a Seiko Turtle for example. Other watches look better with a single pass fabric strap so they won't bulk up so much.
Question for ya’. By any crazy chance do you plan to offer Pelagos FXD-like single pass (with Velcro so no hardware) straps? I would purchase two or three for my FXD if offered. No one else is currently offering this style so you’ll be the first! Please?! Oh, could you start with the basics; solid black and grey? 🤓
I came here to hear facts. Don't play weird music over that.
Sailcloth NATO? Genius, yes please 👍🏻👍🏻
I prefer the single pass through but are hard to find in the design I prefer. Instead, I get a NATO strap "Bond type", and cut off the extra loop.
Note: In the first two 007 movies, Sean Connery had an undersized strap, that looked funny on this watch.
years ago it came out(from someone on the production team iirc) that the 'Bond nato' wasn't anything to do with nato/issued/regimental colours etc strap the watch interwebs believes. The Rolex he wore was the directors, who had a smaller wrist than Sean, so they sent out a production runner to buy a strap that would fit. They returned with an aftermarket single piece colourful nylon strap that was very fashionable at the time. I've seen them in other 60's movies and NOS examples on original display cards from the 1960's show up on ebay from time to time.
@@MrGrentch Fun fact: If the "NATO" strap was create in 1973 - like the gentleman interviewed say in the video at 0:30, how "James Bond" use one in a 1964 movie?
What became know as "NATO" strap - a double band strap with metal keepers was not created in 1973, just receive a new MoD specifications in that year, basically only changing the width from 18,5mm of 1996 specification to 20mm.
The 1954 British specification for the AF.0210 strap issued in 1945 have the same design and material (Nylon) of the one from 1973.
RAF 6B/2617 strap from 1954 was the nylon original in reality.
the floppy bit just looks weird and seems like it would always get caught in my shirt or sweater
Interesting chat 👍 but that awful music drove me crazy!
Great commercial.
The chairs y’all are sitting in sure are weird. They look awkward and too low.
Nato strap looks ugly the way it wear