A Nato Strap Special - Best Place to Buy, A Guide On How To Fit Them & What To Look For

Today, after many requests from the audience, I take a look at Nato straps. I discuss what qualities to look for in finding a decent nato, a brief history, and where I recommend is the best place to buy....

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[davidgunther]

You shouldn't worry about or apologize for city noises while recording. I find them to make your videos more authentic and unique. Cheers.

[DJogdog]

3:50 I believe it is *not* glue around the holes. Nylon is a type of plastic, they burn the holes into the strap (presumably with lazers). The plastic melts around the hole which helps prevent fraying, like you see on the zulu.

[sayisme]

When you told about string bar failure that reminds me, situation when I was in a raft on a river and I fell out of it, then springbar on my seiko snzk15 broke. I was so happy that a had nato strap on it.

[HalweJakkals]

I have a Citizen Promaster GN-4-S dive watch that I used to wear as a beater when I went camping or running, but I never liked the rubber strap so the watch ended up lying in the watch drawer always there but nearly never worn. After watching this video I immediately grabbed the watch, headed to the nearest watch store and had a black nylon NATO fitted. It's like a brand new watch (albeit very well worn from a hard and memorable life) and the NATO strap really is very comfortable. Thank you TGV. You made my day.

[Aramis_Production]

About stitching. Phoenix straps which are the original Nato straps issued to MoD in UK, are ultrasonic welded. That means the parts are practically "atomized" one into another by using ultrasound waves, so is not just stitching.
And Nato G10 is practically the original Phoenix and their Admiralty Grey is the official strap UK armed forced use.
If you saw the new BOND black/grey strap on the SM300 in Spectre movie, (of course we all saw that) then look again at the Phoenix and see the exact same material and color nuances, they were identical. Phoenix is the secret supplier for many Swiss manufacturers for their OEM Nato straps.
So, if you don't plan to spend $300 and put an Omega Nato strap on your Rolex Sub, then Phoenix black/grey is the right choice.

Phoenix company owner is Mike Steward and they sell on ebay, user is mickie500 or something. I am not affiliated in anyway with them btw.

[sqzxuck]

Outstanding quality for the money. A true bang for the buck right here. Recently bought the strap featured 7:15, and I love it. Works magic with simplistic watches. I smashed it on an Orient Three Star, with white dial and black numerals.

Beautiful.

[paulieelliss]

As someone who's only ever worn bracelets and straps, this was a subject that was relatively new to me, so the information in this video was very useful. Many Thanks :)

[TheWtfnonamez]

Thank you.
I didnt realise what the whole deal was with "Nato Straps" but I see the logic now.
As a bodger and handyman I also appreciate the tips on thread-wear on nylon hot spots.
If I find myself seeing that when using cheap nylon products at least I know a little glue or very precise melting will stave off the inevitable failure point.
Appreciate the video mate.

[jashoo]

Have been watching your videos and love the insights you have on watches. Partly due to your recommendation, I just bought my 'beginner' mech watch Seiko SKX009-J1. My next accessory will be NATO strap. Thanks for your advice. One thing I like about your review is that you don't despise more affordable range of watch. Many watch-lovers can be a bit of snobs but not you. Keep up the good work and this kind of video is what we need! Very novice-friendly.

[GiovanniSaputo]

I have to say, it's insane how there are big youtubers with small community strength, but with the urban gentry, I hear about this channel everywhere!

[FritzFeuerbacher]

Those areas of the strap are not glued, they are melted. You can shorten a nato strap by using two pennies as a guide to cut, then take a flame and melt the edges to seal.

[mikestone]

Thanks for the link to this website. I was tired of buying cheap NATO straps from eBay. Love these guys. Thumbs up to you and them.

[rowanashby]

Yeah I'm hooked on nato now. So comfortable. I recently got a citizen 7390 and put it on a tan nato from the Sydney strap co.
Super comfortable and durable. Thanks for the advice.

[reauxscatering]

Thank you introducing me to the hobby. I find the information extremely helpful and saved me a lot money. You've opened so many options to the watches I like, and I've started doing mods to personalize my collection.

[markd]

I really enjoy your videos and advice/reviews on watches. I'm quickly learning that collecting watches becomes expensive :)

[scottmiller]

I love your videos, it’s because of you I bought my first seiko skx007 and 6 years later it’s still May favorite watch in a collection of 42

[ToysSkux]

you have literally every video I need, I love this channel!

[FatalityTutorials]

These look great, I've been searching for quality NATO straps for a while now. Thanks TGV!

[richardbixler]

For me the most important part is the buckle. I have one from a different maker that has a solid clasp. Most clasps are very thin and are bent around the buckle. If the buckle goes so does your watch, even without a spring bar failure. Great video just wish we got a better look at the buckle. Cheers

[Claus-L.Mueller]

Thank yo for the introduction to the Nato straps, TGV. I'm a more traditional guy when it comes to straps and bracelets. I used to wear leather bands or stainless steel bracelets. But I'm going to have a deeper look at the Nato straps. Perlon straps were very popular during the 60's to the 80's. I remember my father worn perlon straps a lot. And I got one on my first wrist watch, a Timex (!), too. And I was very proud to wear this "indestructible" time piece during the 70's. ;)
Best regards and enjoy the rest of your weekend.