How To Get The Perfect & Most Comfortable Fit - 7 Ways To Wear Your NATO & Zulu Straps

Is your NATO strap too bulky? Too long? Maybe you don't like how tall the head of the watch sits on the wrist when worn with a NATO strap? In today's quick tutorial video, I share 7 quick ways to wear your watch comfortably on a NATO and Zulu strap.

To view my current watch collection I use Snupps:

[pcreas]

You can combine the "slim tuck" and "underside tuck" methods on a standard nato to seat the buckle under your wrist for a cleaner, more comfortable fit.

[GXSP]

Last summer I was inner tubing with friends when my NATO strap saved my watch. We were travelling at high speeds, and doing our best to flip the other inner tube next to us (some of my other friends). I had grabbed the side so that my partner could climb on our neighbors inner tube to try and yank them off, and to try and prevent us from doing this, they started kicking at my arm to get me to let go. One of the blows landed right on my wrist, knocking against my Seiko PADI. When the smoke had cleared, my watch was hanging by only one spring bar, the other having ripped out from the impact.

Now, if I had been wearing my watch on a bracelet or two piece strap, my PADI would be at the bottom of a lake. You never know when the unexpected might happen, so it counts to have security. Great video as always TGV, keep it up, see you at 200k subs!

[zachmcevilly]

@TGV First off, I must say, excellent channel, it is actually the ONLY channel I am or have ever been subscribed to. My wife wasn’t too happy to hear I’m not subscribed to hers.... Anyways, I had an addition to this that MAY have already been added in comments but I simply didn’t have the time to read through every comment (yet). I wanted to touch on the “5-ring nato” which kind of changes the game altogether in wearing because you put it through both loops at the end of the under strap, then double back through the bottom loop which actually cinches the tension on the spring bars. This is functional for diving as well as daily wear because if the strap gets caught on something, the additional force is distributed to the strap and NOT to the spring bars, the tension on the spring bars always will remain constant. Just my two cents, and actually it made me really appreciate the 5 ring after realizing what it was utilized for.

[DeusNyx]

I have been a fan of your channel for many years. I must have seen all your uploads. But this upload somehow escaped me! This is the first time I am learning how to wear Nato/Zulus differently! I am now wearing my beautiful Oris artix, with the underside option! Kudos to you!

[salty_terminal_civilian]

Old video but for a Nato I like to cut it sometimes. When cutting the extra loop I often get close to the edge, then burn the hell out of it creating a nice charred surface, then finely sand it down for a flush, comfortable fit. I also burn any loose threads, but the biggest thing I do is put a very small ring around my most used setting, usually 4 or 5 holes up. This helps keep it secure and strong. I also like avoiding cutting by doing the slim tuck and putting the excess strap toward the bottom of the wrist. Same as the way the zulu was folded on the bottom, but the extra loop is under there as well. Great video, thanks TGV.

[steven]

Cool! TGV, Thanks again for a very informative video! I got back into watches after finding your channel, and I'm glad I did. It kind of reminds me of a toy windup airplane we used to play with as a kid, we used to say "wind it up and let it go"! Now it applies to watches! Thanks again, Steve M.

[adamlamar]

Thank you!!!! Never really got how to wear these and before this didn’t find very good instructions anywhere. You covered everything!! Now I get it - put an Alphashark back on my diver and voila! Thanks to your video no longer have the ghastly folded lump on one side!

I’ve also noticed that while you are correct that the NATO in standard position doesn’t allow the watch to be repositioned, if you invert so the hardware is inside, then you can in fact reposition quite easily.. which is how I ended up in the end. Plus this way you lose the fold over near the one end of the watch and makes a very clean appearance

[MM-qvlf]

The most informative zulu and nato strap difference and ways to wear video I saw in YouTube so far. Thumbs up well deserved.

[CYMotorsport]

9:04 there I go what exactly? You didn’t show me what exactly you did. I have a zulu strap. Was I meant to watch the nato strap video for an explanation that carries over?

[jayh]

Had no idea there was so many ways to wear those straps. Great video once again.

[markbyrum]

You can slide the watch head further down on a nato and get the same effect you got with the extra material on the bottom as you did with the Zulu. Thanks for posting. Keep at it!

[northstar]

And all this time, I thought there was only one way to Nato. I'm definitely going to try some of these out. I especially like your Zulu "Underside Tuck"! I might actually end up with my first Zulu. Bravo, TGV!

[brittlby]

Of COURSE, you’d be the vlogger who has the secrets for my first NATO strap. Thanks for the help! Again!

[johncircle]

In my book, the last Zulu strap with the 'underside tuck' wins hands down over all the rest. Fine work, TGV.

[richardt]

Enlightening video, TGV. It took me long enough to figure out how to use a NATO in the first instance. So, it's fantastic that you did a video on the other ways to use both NATO and Zulu. It has been much appreciated.

[alemsuljic]

I got a new watch a few days ago. Of course I changed the bracelet with a black NATO strap 22 mm wide. I'm so satisfied. It's very comfortable and looks very good. I'm so sory that I'd not heard about NATO strap before. But tha NATO is exactly that what will fit in my life style very good. Also I think that the regular way of wearing is the best. For my personal taste other ways are not good. I plan to buy several Blushark straps because I prefer those than others.

[coldmale]

Excellent vid! Hated how tall Nato's sat on my wrist so you just opened up a whole new world for me! Cheers and keep up the good work!

[Zapnes]

Hi. I tried the method where you "bypass" the third ring and associated nylon. It worked well the only problem was that the third ring ended up directly under the buckle. This was a HadleyRoma strap. I'm happy to say that this inspired me to come up with another method. I threaded the third ring before I attached the watch and doubled up the nylon. An added bonus was that the end of the strap was fitting perfectly under the third ring, now next to one of the lugs. This of course depends on wrist and strap size.

Thank you very much for all the great information and inspiration throughout (almost:-?) all of your videos.
All the best.
Eirik from Norway
Post scripture: looking forward to a lot of videos from you Switzerland tour

[lostinseale]

I did find this useful. I just order a NATO strap for a watch that I was going to get rid of. I like the watch but I was just tired of it. Maybe this will spark that love for the watch I originally had.

Once again, thanks.

[FlushingMiBUBBAARMY]

This video came just in time as I have just purchased my first automatic watch. I've taken many of UGWC suggestions and grabbed a 007. Love Love. Thanks for being a wonderful steward to horology, Cheers!