Cannot understand....why NATO strap?

[steubi1]

I can not understand why people put a NATO or any other strap on their Rolex.
(OK, Bond, James Bond...)

What is the reason?

I think that the Rolex Oyster bracelet is a brand for itself. Anybody can recognize "it's a Rolex" from five meters distance because of the....Oyster bracelet. It is iconic, looks good, wears damn comfortable....

Why do people change it?

What do you girls and guys think?

Opinions please!

Greetings

Tom, Switzerland

[usbzoso]

because i like NATO straps

[TheWatchFiend]

I think aesthetically, the Rolex bracelet is more pleasing to the eye. But to get that "military, James Bond" feel, the NATO strap has that certain "coolness" factor that some people, including myself, sometimes like. I think it's also a must if swimming in the ocean, where one spring bar failure might mean losing your watch, as the NATO keeps it to one's wrist.

[rosspanics]

No doubt that the oyster bracelet is a classic in both durability and style.

The NATO straps afford the opportunity to change the look of the overall watch for a temporary basis at an inexpensive price. They are comfortable to wear and very durable. If one of the pins fail, you do not lose your watch head.

Bottom line is that there is a variety of reasons and certainly, to each their own!

[want to be]

Dive watch that can not dive?

[Dan Pierce]

If you have to ask you just don't get it. Not meant to be for everyone.
dP

[DrewWatson]

Several reasons, I believe. First, NATO straps have a history within the military - and the same is true for Rolex.

Secondly, they serve their purpose in a number of environmental situations. For example, if you go to the beach and don't want the possibility of sand and grit getting into and scratching the links, a NATO strap fits the bill perfectly.

Lastly, leather straps just don't look that good on Rolex sport models. I'm not saying it's impossible to find one but, in general, I've not found them very appealing. When choices in leather are very limited, and you don't want to wear your bracelet in an environment where it could be damaged, NATO straps provide an alternative choice.

They're not for everyone, myself included, but I can appreciate why people wear and enjoy them.

[Grumpy Badger]

If I'm climbing the inside of my wrist is constantly scraping the rock. NATO/ZULU makes sense.
Also I seem to be the opposite of most people in that my wrist tends to get smaller in the summer. (I suspect I am more active and probably slightly lower body fat and I probably let myself get a bit dehydrated too often). Plus I find it better if I'm sweating.
Your point about an oyster bracelet being easily recognisable is a double edged sword and sometimes a NATO is a good way to fly under the radar.

Also, THEY JUST LOOK DAMN COOL!

[cobblecanyon]

Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder. At least we are mostly on the same page and that is ROLEX.

[GolfPunk]

Originally Posted by TheWatchFiend

I think aesthetically, the Rolex bracelet is more pleasing to the eye. But to get that "military, James Bond" feel, the NATO strap has that certain "coolness" factor that some people, including myself, sometimes like. I think it's also a must if swimming in the ocean, where one spring bar failure might mean losing your watch, as the NATO keeps it to one's wrist.

Your point about swimming in the ocean is incorrect in my opinion. NATO straps aren't meant to go kn the standard spring bar as they can very easily pop off, and for this very reason people mistakenly think that when one side had popped in the ocean, the watch has been saved by the other spring bar/NATO strap combo, when in fact there is much less chance of the bracelet coming off than the NATO

[threemonkeys]

It injects a little personality and individuality into the routine. Kind of like waking up and and saying 'how do I feel today and what tie goes with my mood'. But like Dan said...if you have to ask...

[marcinthemiddle]

I like the look of a NATO strap sometimes....especially the leather ones!

[mrbill2mrbill2]

To give bracelet a break from the abuse it gets. I can replace a sh!t load of NATOs for next to nothing and put on the bracelet when I want to.

Plus - the NATOs look sooo cool.

To each thier own.

[UJU]

They're comfy and comes in cool colors.

[indeuce]

This is true and the chances may be slim of the bracelet coming off, but if it does come off in the ocean, you're kinda screwed big time. However, if the spring bar failed in the ocean while on nato, you do have the second spring bar for support.

So the way I look at it, if I am in the water I always account for that slim chance of failure and in which scenario would I least likely to get screwed.
Nato it is.

Plus it just looks really darn cool.

Originally Posted by GolfPunk

Your point about swimming in the ocean is incorrect in my opinion. NATO straps aren't meant to go kn the standard spring bar as they can very easily pop off, and for this very reason people mistakenly think that when one side had popped in the ocean, the watch has been saved by the other spring bar/NATO strap combo, when in fact there is much less chance of the bracelet coming off than the NATO

[speedo]

no nato on my rolexes but love it on my speedy!
it is just the most comfortable strap and it does look damn good!

[Justjosh]

Nato straps are much more stealthy than those noisy steel bracelets, and some situations call for silence!

[St Thomas 16610]

Originally Posted by GolfPunk

Your point about swimming in the ocean is incorrect in my opinion. NATO straps aren't meant to go kn the standard spring bar as they can very easily pop off, and for this very reason people mistakenly think that when one side had popped in the ocean, the watch has been saved by the other spring bar/NATO strap combo, when in fact there is much less chance of the bracelet coming off than the NATO

Mate i would have preferred a Nato strap on my brand new 16800 30 years ago when the Oyster bracelet broke (not sure what gave way) while surfing and the Rolex was gone forever! I would never wear a Rolex surfing again and if i did it would be a Nato for sure.

[gaopa]

Steube1, I'm with you... I simply don't see putting a NATO on a fine watch like a Rolex or Omega. A $20 NATO looks, well, like a $20 NATO on a fine watch. I wear the OEM bracelet on my Rolex, Omega, Fortis and Sinn watches. On cheap watches a NATO or preferably a ZULU is OK. Cheers, Bill P.

[TheDude]

Originally Posted by Grumpy Badger

If I'm climbing the inside of my wrist is constantly scraping the rock. NATO/ZULU makes sense.
Also I seem to be the opposite of most people in that my wrist tends to get smaller in the summer. (I suspect I am more active and probably slightly lower body fat and I probably let myself get a bit dehydrated too often). Plus I find it better if I'm sweating.
Your point about an oyster bracelet being easily recognisable is a double edged sword and sometimes a NATO is a good way to fly under the radar.

Also, THEY JUST LOOK DAMN COOL!

I like the nod to Bond with the 18mm!

[Grumpy Badger]

Originally Posted by TheDude

I like the nod to Bond with the 18mm!

Good spot, a man who knows his stuff!
I must look out my white dinner jacket and get The Long-Haired General to do a proper 'homage' pic!

[DT14]

put me in the No to NATO crowd. Have always wondered what the appeal was, but as many have said, its all in the eyes of the beholder.

[tgoose1]

You can purchase 100ea natos for the price of a replacement oyster bracelet!

[Cabaiguan]

If I had a nickel for every time this question has been asked recently...geez.

[esm]

Originally Posted by Dan Pierce

If you have to ask you just don't get it. Not meant to be for everyone.
dP

Quoted for truth

IMO - it is the same for vintage watches....

[globalmedia33]

Why not?

[NYC6]

In the summer my Sub sports a NATO. I SCUBA, snorkel and fish in deep Atlantic waters. The NATO gives extra protection from losing the watch. If one pin lets loose with the factory braclet, goodbye Rolex. Had that happen to a Bulova Diver a couple years ago casting jigs to Bluefin Tuna in 5000 ft of water. The NATO would have prevented me losing my HS grad gift from my now deceased parents.
Not gonna let the same thing happen to my Sub.
Besides, it looks cool and afterall, variety is the spice of life.

[Sixxgrand1]

Originally Posted by gaopa

Steube1, I'm with you... I simply don't see putting a NATO on a fine watch like a Rolex or Omega. A $20 NATO looks, well, like a $20 NATO on a fine watch. I wear the OEM bracelet on my Rolex, Omega, Fortis and Sinn watches. On cheap watches a NATO or preferably a ZULU is OK. Cheers, Bill P.

I agree. I feel that there might just be a little more engineering in the Rolex bracelet then any NATO.

I never recall reading anything about a 'vintage NATO'. And about the beach and or sand - after two months in the sand covered in coconut oil / various sunscreens - the Rolex showered with me looking new afterward. I doubt that coconut oil and sunscreens would leave the NATO material as easily - if at all.

Also I never saw one NATO on any watch in Negril on the beach in over two months.....plenty of rubber straps in addition to stainless - zero NATO.

[Fiddler]

I don't understand why people concern themselves with what others do with their own personal property. I not trying to be a smart aleck, but seriously, what does it matter to you what someone else does with their watch. You are certainly entitled to not like it, but since it doesn't affect you or your life, why get worked up about it?

And you aren't alone here. This goes both ways. I also don't understand guys who come in here and ask, "Should I put a Nato band, a leather band, a different bezel, etc. on my watch? Should I take the stickers off, clean my watch, buy a watch winder, etc? Once again, it belongs to you, why should you care what other people think?

[Grumpy Badger]

Originally Posted by Fiddler

I don't understand why people concern themselves with what others do with their own personal property. I not trying to be a smart aleck, but seriously, what does it matter to you what someone else does with their watch. You are certainly entitled to not like it, but since it doesn't affect you or your life, why get worked up about it?

And you aren't alone here. This goes both ways. I also don't understand guys who come in here and ask, "Should I put a Nato band, a leather band, a different bezel, etc. on my watch? Should I take the stickers off, clean my watch, buy a watch winder, etc? Once again, it belongs to you, why should you care what other people think?

Errr...it's called a conversation!

I, for one, like to hear the opinions of others. I will make up my own mind but that doesn't mean I don't what to hear what others think.

This would be a pretty dull forum if no one ever sought/gave an opinion.