14060M spring bar gap

[Hansch99]

I love my 14060M and think it's one of the last in the line of the great Rolex tool watches. One of the things that really drew me to it was the lug holes and the ease with which I could switch out the bracelet for a NATO (which I have done on many occasions).

However, there's a bit of a problem..........

If I use the OEM springbar with my NATOs, even standard-thickness NATOs rub pretty hard betweem the springbar and the case. I really have to give them a tug to get them through, whereas with other watches NATO bands would effortlessly slide on. If I do it too quickly, I sometimes fray the NATO a bit.

Is there a reason for this design? It seems like the watch, which most resembles the old Rolexes with fixed spring bars that were made to be on a NATO, would be a little more NATO friendly. Anyone else had the same experience? Are other Subs like this?

[JJL]

For what it's worth - I have a 16622 YachtMaster and some of my thicker Nato (and leather Nato) straps struggle to slide in as well. The thicker Natos sort of fray as you mentioned and the leather Nato strap gets all scratched up - So I basically have to remove the spring bars, put the strap in and then put the spring bars on over it which to me sort of defeats the purpose of being able to quickly and easily interchange Nato straps.

I was wondering if it is just the YM, however, most don't put other straps on their YachtMasters ;)

[mrloneranger]

Originally Posted by JJL

For what it's worth - I have a 16622 YachtMaster and some of my thicker Nato (and leather Nato) straps struggle to slide in as well. The thicker Natos sort of fray as you mentioned and the leather Nato strap gets all scratched up - So I basically have to remove the spring bars, put the strap in and then put the spring bars on over it which to me sort of defeats the purpose of being able to quickly and easily interchange Nato straps.

I was wondering if it is just the YM, however, most don't put other straps on their YachtMasters ;)

I tried a Hirsch leather strap on my YM, I found I'd get rub marks on end of the strap where the leather rubs on the case. (if that makes sense).

I decided to ditch the strap and put my brushed bracelet on it instead.

I'd be interested to see a few pics of the YM on a nato.

[JJL]

Originally Posted by mrloneranger

I tried a Hirsch leather strap on my YM, I found I'd get rub marks on end of the strap where the leather rubs on the case. (if that makes sense).

I decided to ditch the strap and put my brushed bracelet on it instead.

I'd be interested to see a few pics of the YM on a nato.

The same thing happened to me when I tried putting leather straps on my YM, the leather at the top of the strap split due to rubbing against the case.

Anyways, as requested here are a few shots of a YM on Nato :)

[Dr. Robert]

I have no problem w/ Maratac brand NATO straps on my early 1990's vintage Tudor sub
Attaches smoothly, no bunching up, no tugging.

[mrloneranger]

Originally Posted by JJL

The same thing happened to me when I tried putting leather straps on my YM, the leather at the top of the strap split due to rubbing against the case.

Anyways, as requested here are a few shots of a YM on Nato :)

I like it!! Especially the strap with the red in!

What make of Nato did you go for? There seems to be quite a few!

[JJL]

Originally Posted by mrloneranger

I like it!! Especially the strap with the red in!

What make of Nato did you go for? There seems to be quite a few!

Thanks!

To be honest I'm still searching for the perfect Nato. I have 5 Natos from 4 different places with different pros/cons

The blueish gray one seen in the 1st,2nd and 4th I posted above is from DeBeers Amazon storefront

The thick gray one in the 3rd picture (current gamer) is from HolbensFineWatchBands on ebay, great seller.

The black/white/red one seen in the last pic is from SeikoPrince on ebay. I also have an all black strap I got from SeikoPrince as well (not pictured).

I'm fairly happy with all of them but seem a little too thin, and some feel a little too thick. Still looking for that perfect combo of thickness and comfort

[ArcticMoose]

Originally Posted by JJL

I was wondering if it is just the YM, however, most don't put other straps on their YachtMasters ;)

If they don't, they should. :-)

[slevin kelevra]

TSS NATOs fit in th gap just fine. NATOs from timefactors etc rub slightly.

[usbzoso]

I have the same issue with my Explorer II that has lug holes ... what i do is instead of sliding the NATO through i just take out the spring bars then wrap the NATO strap around the body of the watch and install the spring bars back in. Works like a charm and doesn't damage NATO/watch case.

[davida]

I have two NATO's from Timefactors and they are both very tight through the spring bars.

I sometimes remove the bars when fitting a different NATO to save fraying it.