NATO Straps

[cajunron]

Originally Posted by R-H

I would think the opposite would be true, wouldn't you need to loose both spring bars with a NATO for the watch to come off, loose one spring bar with a bracelet and it's off the wrist?

Originally Posted by J!m

No one mentioned so I will...

If your spring bars are in good condition, this is not an issue.

I like the idea of old "holy" spring bars on a non-hole case...

But to loose the watch, BOTH bars have to fail (or be un-hooked by the strap???), whereas with any other bracelet, you can loose it if only one fails.

My Tag Heuer hit the concrete due to a failed spring bar (only one of them!) with the factory bracelet. If it was on a NATO band, it would have flopped away from my wrist a bit, but not hit the floor.

BINGO!!!

[TheGanzman]

I'm a "bracelet guy", despite my continued efforts to like NATO/ZULU/RAF straps. "Each to his own - the sailor kissed the cow" as my Dad used to say; to MY eyes, a Rolex BELONGS on a bracelet - it's part of the "total watch". The Rolex Oyster Bracelet is an integral part of the watch itself; in my case, my 14060 would look "improper" on ANYTHING else but its "born with" 93150 bracelet. I would go so far to say that ANYTHING else would "cheapen" its wrist presence - YMMV...

[HogwldFLTR]

Originally Posted by kennethcooke

It scares me, sometime when I read that NATO straps that are worn to look good, cool and hip on Rolex Oyster Sport Models, in fact, nothing could be further from the truth. In fact anyone wearing a NATO Strap on any watch with spring bars is asking to loose it which would not be a good idea especially, if you were in the middle of a covert special operations mission. aka down the pub with your mates. If you insist on wearing an NATO Strap, and personally, I cannot see why you would, then you would need to have work carried out as done during the 40's to weld the bars so that they could no accidentally spring, and as a footnote, Rolex advise against this as the watch was designed as a complete unit including bracelet and it would effect your warranty and the watches Chronometer accuracy

Feel free to chime in at any time...

[firstOwatch]

Originally Posted by J!m

No one mentioned so I will...

If your spring bars are in good condition, this is not an issue.

I like the idea of old "holy" spring bars on a non-hole case...

But to loose the watch, BOTH bars have to fail (or be un-hooked by the strap???), whereas with any other bracelet, you can loose it if only one fails.

My Tag Heuer hit the concrete due to a failed spring bar (only one of them!) with the factory bracelet. If it was on a NATO band, it would have flopped away from my wrist a bit, but not hit the floor.

True my watch SAVED from dropping from NATO strap

[drifter01]

You are no more liable to lose a watch on a NATO thaqn you are on any other strap or bracelet. If a springbar pops on a bracelet or conventional strap, the watch is gone. With a NATO or ZULU the watch is still held by the remaining springbar and you don't lose it. FWIW, I have worn springbar watches on NATO straps for years and have never had a springbar pop. I have, however, seen welded lugs break.

[Old Expat Beast]

Originally Posted by R-H

I would think the opposite would be true, wouldn't you need to loose both spring bars with a NATO for the watch to come off, loose one spring bar with a bracelet and it's off the wrist?

I've never seen nor heard of a springbar breaking while the watch was on its metal bracelet. It was probably wearing the watch on a nato that made the springbar break or come loose in the first place.

Every time we have a broken or displaced springbar thread start here, seems it's always to do with a nato. The only times I ever dropped a watch was when I had it on a nato, and was taking it off or putting it on. They're more fiddly in that way than bracelets. Nato buckles, which aren't all that strong on cheap straps, are also the only thing standing between your watch and the ground. So for security, I'll take a bracelet.

[silverbullet818]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

I've never seen nor heard of a springbar breaking while the watch was on its metal bracelet. It was probably wearing the watch on a nato that made the springbar break or come loose in the first place.

Every time we have a broken or displaced springbar thread start here, seems it's always to do with a nato. The only times I ever dropped a watch was when I had it on a nato, and was taking it off or putting it on. They're more fiddly in that way than bracelets. Nato buckles, which aren't all that strong on cheap straps, are also the only thing standing between your watch and the ground. So for security, I'll take a bracelet.

Very good point.

[josephvman]

I'm just curious as to the point of your post. I thought it was in jest, being as judgmental and flatly ignorant as it so plainly is, but then I read through everything else you've posted on this forum and it was just more of the same; disdain for the 42mm Explorer size (and all of those who like the watch), etc, etc. You might want to consider reading your future posts before you submit them, and ask yourself if they portray you as the kind of person you'd like complete strangers to think you are.

I'm sure someone has posted this by now, but the entire design and reason for existence of the NATO strap is so that if a single springbar breaks that you don't lose the watch.

Originally Posted by kennethcooke

It scares me, sometime when I read that NATO straps that are worn to look good, cool and hip on Rolex Oyster Sport Models, in fact, nothing could be further from the truth. In fact anyone wearing a NATO Strap on any watch with spring bars is asking to loose it which would not be a good idea especially, if you were in the middle of a covert special operations mission. aka down the pub with your mates. If you insist on wearing an NATO Strap, and personally, I cannot see why you would, then you would need to have work carried out as done during the 40's to weld the bars so that they could no accidentally spring, and as a footnote, Rolex advise against this as the watch was designed as a complete unit including bracelet and it would effect your warranty and the watches Chronometer accuracy

[Old Expat Beast]

Originally Posted by josephvman

I'm just curious as to the point of your post. I thought it was in jest, being as judgmental and flatly ignorant as it so plainly is, but then I read through everything else you've posted on this forum and it was just more of the same; disdain for the 42mm Explorer size (and all of those who like the watch), etc, etc. You might want to consider reading your future posts before you submit them, and ask yourself if they portray you as the kind of person you'd like complete strangers to think you are.

I'm sure someone has posted this by now, but the entire design and reason for existence of the NATO strap is so that if a single springbar breaks that you don't lose the watch.

Not entirely. Budgetary reasons and the length of the strap for wearing over clothing rather than under it are two more reasons, and both possibly more important than the one you mention. That's why springbars were welded in place on Milsubs, etc...so they wouldn't come loose while on the nato.

[josephvman]

Indeed. It's pretty hard to throw an oyster bracelet over a flight suit.

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

Not entirely. Budgetary reasons and the length of the strap for wearing over clothing rather than under it are two more reasons, and both possibly more important than the one you mention. That's why springbars were welded in place on Milsubs, etc...so they wouldn't come loose while on the nato.

[Old Expat Beast]

Originally Posted by josephvman

Indeed. It's pretty hard to throw an oyster bracelet over a flight suit.

Or a wetsuit.

[Johny]

Originally Posted by Dan Pierce

Some of us just enjoy life on the razors edge.
dP

commander.

[firstOwatch]

Originally Posted by Dan Pierce

Some of us just enjoy life on the razors edge.
dP

[Yuri.Popov]

Great NATO straps!