NATO STRAPS- this is why.

[And1dre]

Looks great!

[Splash]

When I read the title, I expected to see a watch hanging by one spring-bar!

[onthepond]

Originally Posted by armen34

Anyone put a nato on two tone?

Absolutely!! On a 16613 Black Dial - Black NATO from Wrist Candy ... Looks fabulous, wears comfortably and loves swimming - my "everyday ..."

And why not? It's a watch.

[onthepond]

Originally Posted by Splash

When I read the title, I expected to see a watch hanging by one spring-bar!

Oh, and my TT is fitted with the Otto Frei solid bars. They are "solid" and have been tested w/o incident, in a non-sedentary lifestyle. I wouldn't use the Rolex bars that compliment the bracelet, as they clearly are not up to the task of a NATO strap.

Great for every occasion too. It is that substance thing.

[avorolex]

Hi everybody, where can I find some nato straps?

[Kevin of Larchmont]

Originally Posted by avorolex

Hi everybody, where can I find some nato straps?

Coincidentally I was just putting a list together:

Perlon Strap (Google it)
Bonetto Cinturini Rubber Strap (Amazon)
Horween RAF Strap -- Hodinkee
ToxicNatos.com
Nato-International (eBay)
Maratac (www.countycomm.com)
WristCandyWatchClub.com
CheapestNatoStraps.com

Happy shopping!

[douglasf13]

Watchgecko.com is a great place for rubber NATOs, and regular too.

[BNA/LION]

1st NATO! BMW M Colors!

[ming the merciless]

If I had to wear my watch on a NATO strap I'd probably give up the hobby. I think most of them look awful. I feel really sorry for the guys who have to wear them for medical reasons.

[Wojtecki]

Originally Posted by Richris1

For more...casual/rugged situations... love a nato!

That strap looks great!! What brand is it?

Thanks!

[cdbeaver66]

I've just bought 3 from watchobsession.co.uk . Two for the GMT and one for the BB


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Splash]

Originally Posted by onthepond

Oh, and my TT is fitted with the Otto Frei solid bars. They are "solid" and have been tested w/o incident, in a non-sedentary lifestyle. I wouldn't use the Rolex bars that compliment the bracelet, as they clearly are not up to the task of a NATO strap.

Great for every occasion too. It is that substance thing.

I'm curious about this. What are the "solid" bars you speak of? How are they installed on a Rolex unless they are spring loaded? I've been to the Otto Frei website, but I don't understand.... Thanks!

[captain_NEMO]

It has a good beat, and easy to dance to. Love me a NATO!!

[onthepond]

Originally Posted by Splash

I'm curious about this. What are the "solid" bars you speak of? How are they installed on a Rolex unless they are spring loaded? I've been to the Otto Frei website, but I don't understand.... Thanks!

The solid spring-bar I use with a hole-through lug 16613 is the Otto Frei FB-7895 ( http://www.ofrei.com/page_155.html#2152 ). The pivot pins are tight and the bar sleeve fits well across the 20 MM "lug to lug". They are not coming loose or failing without some horrific event.

Interestingly, the non hole-through lugs of a 16610 (mid 00s) have different diameter pivot holes - much smaller. I discovered this on a friend's, who ask if I would install a pair for her (yes, ladies do wear subs). Neither Rolex, nor Otto were of much help and it became a game of experimentation, as I couldn't caliper down to a .85-.90 MM scale. You definitely do not want play in the pivot, as it is failure in the making due to wear, let alone damage to the lug.

These are definitely a NATO application on a non hole-through lug! Not a bracelet.

NATOs are great!

[douglasf13]

Originally Posted by onthepond

The solid spring-bar I use with a hole-through lug 16613 is the Otto Frei FB-7895 ( http://www.ofrei.com/page_155.html#2152 ). The pivot pins are tight and the bar sleeve fits well across the 20 MM "lug to lug". They are not coming loose or failing without some horrific event.

Interestingly, the non hole-through lugs of a 16610 (mid 00s) have different diameter pivot holes - much smaller. I discovered this on a friend's, who ask if I would install a pair for her (yes, ladies do wear subs). Neither Rolex, nor Otto were of much help and it became a game of experimentation, as I couldn't caliper down to a .85-.90 MM scale. You definitely do not want play in the pivot, as it is failure in the making due to wear, let alone damage to the lug.

These are definitely a NATO application on a non hole-through lug! Not a bracelet.

NATOs are great!

Another thing to consider, if one has a non-lug hole SEL Sub as I do, is that the strap pins for the Rolex bracelet are a bit shorter than 20mm, in order to facilitate getting the pin in and out. I actually use Omega 20mm spring bars when I'm not using the Rolex bracelet, and they fit perfectly and are a bit longer than the Rolex bars.

[Splash]

Thank you both for the good info!!!

Originally Posted by onthepond

The solid spring-bar I use with a hole-through lug 16613 is the Otto Frei FB-7895 ( http://www.ofrei.com/page_155.html#2152 ). The pivot pins are tight and the bar sleeve fits well across the 20 MM "lug to lug". They are not coming loose or failing without some horrific event.

Interestingly, the non hole-through lugs of a 16610 (mid 00s) have different diameter pivot holes - much smaller. I discovered this on a friend's, who ask if I would install a pair for her (yes, ladies do wear subs). Neither Rolex, nor Otto were of much help and it became a game of experimentation, as I couldn't caliper down to a .85-.90 MM scale. You definitely do not want play in the pivot, as it is failure in the making due to wear, let alone damage to the lug.

These are definitely a NATO application on a non hole-through lug! Not a bracelet.

NATOs are great!

Originally Posted by douglasf13

Another thing to consider, if one has a non-lug hole SEL Sub as I do, is that the strap pins for the Rolex bracelet are a bit shorter than 20mm, in order to facilitate getting the pin in and out. I actually use Omega 20mm spring bars when I'm not using the Rolex bracelet, and they fit perfectly and are a bit longer than the Rolex bars.

[Wojtecki]

Originally Posted by Splash

I'm curious about this. What are the "solid" bars you speak of? How are they installed on a Rolex unless they are spring loaded? I've been to the Otto Frei website, but I don't understand.... Thanks!

This is how I am wearing mine. I have to cut off the bars the day I want to wear the bracelet.





Skickat från min iPhone med Tapatalk

[onthepond]

Originally Posted by Splash

Thank you both for the good info!!!

I did notice the pivots on the Otto Frei spring-bars extended further into the lug than the Rolex bracelet set. They are nearly flush with the case. The bars removed from the non-hole 16610 had smaller diameter / shorter pivots. I did not gauge the depth of the hole in the lug; however, it is unquestionably shallower. Presumably, the six digit lugs are drilled deeper.

I would not use a strap that "wedged" itself between the case and spring-bar. I've seen it done; however, it unnecessarily pre-loads the spring-bar in an otherwise benign task. For that reason, I use the thinner straps of nylon. It all depends on the specific watch. Thin nylon like Wrist Candy's are comfortable, cool when hot out and dry instantly. Then, my watch never leaves my wrist.

Many years later, I sincerely believe any NATO incident related to spring-bar failure is directly attributable to incorrect matching of spring-bars to the task! I'd worry more about the damage to my wrist than a spring-bar failure if my watch broke loose!

Love the NATO

[onthepond]

Originally Posted by Wojtecki

This is how I am wearing mine. I have to cut off the bars the day I want to wear the bracelet.





Skickat från min iPhone med Tapatalk

That is one advantage to the through-hole lug; a toothpick and voila!

Regardless, a solid bar is a must if you are active; sacrificial, or not. It's cheap insurance, especially if you discover you switch to the bracelet rarely. At my age, impressions are less relevant to function - a beautiful Rolex aside

[visualplane]

For those who don't like the extra folds on NATOs, check out RAF or 3 ring Zulu straps.

Sent from my SM-N910V using Tapatalk

[douglasf13]

Originally Posted by visualplane

For those who don't like the extra folds on NATOs, check out RAF or 3 ring Zulu straps.

Sent from my SM-N910V using Tapatalk

Yep, and Perlon, too, which are usually in a similar style.

[boogiebot]

I like the nato straps more and more. Just don't think I can pull one off

[autofiend]

I'm a recent convert to perlon straps myself. Specifically the EULITs. They're very nice quality and compliment a Sub nicely.

[Flstfirider]

[FiftyTwoEighty]

Originally Posted by BNALION

1st NATO! BMW M Colors!

///Marvelous!



Then again, I might have a problem:



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[onthepond]

Originally Posted by FiftyTwoEighty

///Marvelous!



Then again, I might have a problem:


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

A problem??? I wear a NATO almost exclusively, BUT ...!

[ICUdR]

Originally Posted by 1William

I like the NATO in the right situation. Very comfortable.

That's a gorgeous watch Will.. Which Tudor is it?!

[AzHadEnuf]

Very comfortable on a flat caseback.

[BNA/LION]

Originally Posted by fiftytwoeighty

///marvelous!

Nice... e60 m5? What year?

[FiftyTwoEighty]

Originally Posted by BNALION

Nice... e60 m5? What year?

Correct! My 3rd one. Still have my e28 m5 and never moved to an f10. I'm addicted to the scream of the v10.

1 of 97 Interlagos Blue with 3 pedals. Rod bearings replaced as maintenance item at 84,000 miles. I'm at 127,000+ as my daily driver -- North/South California commuter.





Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk