NATO / Leather Strap for Explorer 124270

[twalt77]

Done a fair bit of research on this but coming up with two questions:

1. Is the case and lug positioning not suited to anything other than the OEM bracelet?

2. What size strap to get (there seems to be some debate between 18mm and 19mm.

Your thoughts / opinions are appreciated in advance.

Thanks,

Tim


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[dannyp]

The inter-lug width is 19mm. People have put straps on them, but the holes are fairly close to the ends of the lugs, and the Explorer has the indentations in the sides of the case that the ends of the bracelet slot into, which you'll see. All can be solved w/custom strap, though.

[twalt77]

Oooo custom straps

Know anybody in the UK?


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[twalt77]

Originally Posted by dannyp

The inter-lug width is 19mm. People have put straps on them, but the holes are fairly close to the ends of the lugs, and the Explorer has the indentations in the sides of the case that the ends of the bracelet slot into, which you'll see. All can be solved w/custom strap, though.

This is the very challenge I am seeking opinion on.




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[pursang_]

My 2 cents is that the 124270 is a bracelet only reference. I passed it up for that reason.

You can certainly get custom straps made. But for me the value in straps is the cost and ease of changing them out.

[dannyp]

Originally Posted by pursang_

My 2 cents is that the 124270 is a bracelet only reference. I passed it up for that reason.

You can certainly get custom straps made. But for me the value in straps is the cost and ease of changing them out.

I think if you want rubber/composite that custom is a good way to go, since these will theoretically last longer than leather when exposed to various elements. But if you want leather/NATO, it may not look right. Perhaps a little better with NATO since the nature of the strap takes up more of the space.

[matthew P]

Curved spring bars should allow 19mm straps to be worn with out getting ruined….. I’m of the opinion that they don’t look as good as the bracelet.

A rubber B type rubber strap that fits snug and secure may look better and make for sence as a summer option but I don’t think anyone is selling a 19mm version yet.

Good luck


….Save the drama - I’m just here for the photos….

[twalt77]

Thanks all.

Can’t find anything custom, Everest messaged me to say they’ll be releasing something late this year.

Going to try a NATO option to see how I get on as they’re relatively cheap and ‘disposable’. I’ll post some pics.


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[sjhc88]

Following!


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[silkroaded]

I’ve been using 19mm nato straps and they fit and look great. Rubber / leather not an option.

[twalt77]

So stoked with this…




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[twalt77]

The added height has created an illusion of more ‘heft’ and the khaki makes it feel even more sporty / like a field watch…




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[dannyp]

Looks great! Thickness at the ends also hides the grooves in the sides of the case between the lugs.

Also love NATO straps since, for some reason, I always feel less “guilty” using a generic, non-OEM buckle.

[Vesper Lynd]

Originally Posted by twalt77

So stoked with this…




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Is that strap 20mm wide?

[mdtddd2007]

Looks nice on Nato.

[rgwarden]

I put a couple of 19 mm NATOs on mine and they looked great. Yes they were slightly harder to fit than on my old 16570 because of that ‘male’ into ‘female’ indentation between the lugs, and I couldn’t just pass the straps through the springbars because the hole positions are tighter to the case than my 5 digit model’s were, but my own feeling was that the Explorer is STILL a strap monster - I couldn’t see that indentation once the NATOs were on. But i swapped quickly back to the original bracelet because the truth is the new bracelet with easylink and safety catch is basically brilliant!

[twalt77]

Originally Posted by Vesper Lynd

Is that strap 20mm wide?

Nah, 19mm. I think it’s the wider thread at each side which makes it look pinched


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[rgwarden]

124270 on black 19mm NATO

[Vesper Lynd]

Originally Posted by twalt77

Nah, 19mm. I think it’s the wider thread at each side which makes it look pinched


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Huge thanks!

[matthew P]

Originally Posted by rgwarden

…….But i swapped quickly back to the original bracelet because the truth is the new bracelet with easylink and safety catch is basically brilliant!

I’m with you on this one……

The modern explorer may look good on natos and leather straps but the bracelet is so damm comfortable and good looking that I can’t see wearing this watch any other way……. And I didn’t think I’d end up saying theirs but “I really like to taper on wrist”
I miss the taper when looking at the natos.

I do love the fact that some people are still trying and posting photos.


….Save the drama - I’m just here for the photos….

[twalt77]

I love the bracelet as well. Just enjoying a slightly ‘sportier’ look atm


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[twalt77]

Navy blue today;




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[rgwarden]

Originally Posted by twalt77

Navy blue today;




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Looks amazing

[twalt77]

Originally Posted by Vesper Lynd

Huge thanks!

Actually, I think it’s pinched. The strap makes contact with the case in the middle but not at the sides. When tightened the sides have a bit of slack but the middle remains in the same position.


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[twalt77]

Here’s a ‘Bond’ of sorts…




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[ExpatTarheel]

Where do you get your 19mm NATO straps? I kind of have a big wrist so standard size straps can be a bit short.

[Rolexken]

Originally Posted by ExpatTarheel

Where do you get your 19mm NATO straps? I kind of have a big wrist so standard size straps can be a bit short.

Zuludiver have a small 19mm selection and they are usually 300mm so better for larger wrists. https://www.zuludiver.com/collections/19mm-watch-straps

[Watchsprings]

Looks really good!

[Oscarpapa]

Originally Posted by twalt77

Navy blue today;




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Looks great, that's the way a wristwatch should look imo, not with the watch head taking up all of the wrist area, Congrats.