Nato yes or no ??

[pegase747]

Hi to all,

Well it seems that there are some interesting debates on this forum that don't exist on some other Rolex forums.

THE NATO BAND.

I have to say that I liked the Nato band, but not for all the situations or watches.

I tried the Nato on all of my watches, Rolex and others, and I have to say I like it on my Omega X-33, or some vintage military pieces.

Now on Rolex models, I believe it is very good and nice on the historical timepiece like the 5517, or Tudor MN, but I after trying on my Submariner 14060M and my GMTII ( pepsi or black ), I am not so convinced that much anymore.

The Oyster bracelet has been designed correctly for the safety of the user.

First it is strong, and will not let anybody down, in most outdoor activities, or situation.

the rattling of the bracelet is very small on the SEL versions and not bothering.

Now an historical proof of strength and greatness of the Oyster :
I read in a french forum that the COMEX managers specifically ordered their pro-divers to wear their Subs and SD's on the original oyster, because if the watch get caught in something what will brake will be the springbars, acting as a fuse.

Ok the watch will be lost, but if you had a Nato band, you may simply lose your hand ( those things don't brake ), and then at certain depths it means death, by different means like unable to go back up and standing the pain during decompression times, or simply atracting nasty sharks ( can smell blood several KM away ).

Well now it is your choice, but I would not wear a Nato band if diving, rockclimbing, exploring, working with some kind of machines and any activities which can end up in loosing a hand...
I admit the NATO look is very nice, but now for me it's Oyster Only.

I'd rather loose my watch than my hand...
I vote NO

Cheers / pierre

[leopardprey]

I think if you had enough force put on your watch band to break a OYster Band, your hand would be in pretty bad shape, as it would take a lot to break it off. Same as with a Nato or Zulu band. Both have advantages and disadvantages. One of the advantages of a Nato/Zulu band, is the ease to adjust the band, the comfort, and less steel on wrist. Also give a different look. Personally I do not prefer the Nato Bands. I like the Zulu bands, which is jsut one strap of Nylon/cloth under the case, instead of two under the case as with the Nato. As I posted in another recent thread, the Nato/Zulu bands actually have an official Roelx history to them. I personally like the way they look. Really like Olive Green Zulu bands. For many military applications, the Zulu or Nato Band is a good fit. Also the Zulu/Nato band comes in real handy if the watch needs to be strapped over thick colfd weather clothing or diving suits (or Space Suits - as the Omega Speedmast with Zulu straps were used on the Apollo missions).
For me I like both the traditional Oyster Bracelet and Zulu bands equally.

[pegase747]

Originally Posted by leopardprey

I think if you had enough force put on your watch band to break a OYster Band, your hand would be in pretty bad shape, as it would take a lot to break it off. Same as with a Nato or Zulu band. Both have advantages and disadvantages. One of the advantages of a Nato/Zulu band, is the ease to adjust the band, the comfort, and less steel on wrist. Also give a different look. Personally I do not prefer the Nato Bands. I like the Zulu bands, which is jsut one strap of Nylon/cloth under the case, instead of two under the case as with the Nato. As I posted in another recent thread, the Nato/Zulu bands actually have an official Roelx history to them. I personally like the way they look. Really like Olive Green Zulu bands. For many military applications, the Zulu or Nato Band is a good fit. Also the Zulu/Nato band comes in real handy if the watch needs to be strapped over thick colfd weather clothing or diving suits (or Space Suits - as the Omega Speedmast with Zulu straps were used on the Apollo missions).
For me I like both the traditional Oyster Bracelet and Zulu bands equally.

Hi Leo, I didn't say the Oyster band will break, but the spring bars will, acting as fuses, hence saving your hands.

I agree about the history of the Nato bands with Rolex, and all the army stuff, but I personnaly feel safer with the orginal oyster.

Question of taste I guess...


Cheers / Pierre

[Gaijin]

NATO? No.

[frostie]

I like the nato straps especially the james bond strap. The strap transforms the watch to a tool.

[Atomant]

Originally Posted by leopardprey

I think if you had enough force put on your watch band to break a OYster Band, your hand would be in pretty bad shape, as it would take a lot to break it off. Same as with a Nato or Zulu band. Both have advantages and disadvantages. One of the advantages of a Nato/Zulu band, is the ease to adjust the band, the comfort, and less steel on wrist. Also give a different look. Personally I do not prefer the Nato Bands. I like the Zulu bands, which is jsut one strap of Nylon/cloth under the case, instead of two under the case as with the Nato. As I posted in another recent thread, the Nato/Zulu bands actually have an official Roelx history to them. I personally like the way they look. Really like Olive Green Zulu bands. For many military applications, the Zulu or Nato Band is a good fit. Also the Zulu/Nato band comes in real handy if the watch needs to be strapped over thick colfd weather clothing or diving suits (or Space Suits - as the Omega Speedmast with Zulu straps were used on the Apollo missions).
For me I like both the traditional Oyster Bracelet and Zulu bands equally.

Just what I was thinking the other day, how much force does it take to break or stretch an oyster bracelet? I am always pretty conscious of gettin the bracelet off of the joints of my wrist just so that the bracelets don't expand when I bend my wrists supporting my weight when I sit down on the floor. The oysters does not have a stretch weight specification.

also, I think I might get a nato band to go with my SD.

[pegase747]

well just as I just said, the oyster bracelet itself will be very hard to break...

Now the springbars at the case will break with a moderate amount of orce.

Imagine your watch band get stuck in some nasty piece of iron under water and you can't get it out, or you fall from a tree and you find yourself hanging by your watch band. well if you have a nato, you will have hard time to get rid of the watch with those bloody diving gloves...also if your wight id on the nato band, well, good luck to get rid of it.

Now with the oyster, all what you have to do is open the safety clasp, and your wieght or strength will just rip off / shear the springbars at the watch case, ot at the adjustment holes in the clasp.

Many things in life are designed to break at a certain point, to avoid any human injury.
I believe the Oyster has been designed this way...

Just my observation...

Also I have to say the oyster doesn't look too fancy but more like a tool band, come on ! stamped clasp, hollow center links, rather tool-like if you ask me, compared to a jubilee bracelet...


Cheers / Pierre

[Atomant]

........

[Atomant]

Originally Posted by pegase747

well just as I just said, the oyster bracelet itself will be very hard to break...

Now the springbars at the case will break with a moderate amount of orce.

Imagine your watch band get stuck in some nasty piece of iron under water and you can't get it out, or you fall from a tree and you find yourself hanging by your watch band. well if you have a nato, you will have hard time to get rid of the watch with those bloody diving gloves...also if your wight id on the nato band, well, good luck to get rid of it.

Now with the oyster, all what you have to do is open the safety clasp, and your wieght or strength will just rip off / shear the springbars at the watch case, ot at the adjustment holes in the clasp.

Many things in life are designed to break at a certain point, to avoid any human injury.
I believe the Oyster has been designed this way...

Just my observation...

Also I have to say the oyster doesn't look too fancy but more like a tool band, come on ! stamped clasp, hollow center links, rather tool-like if you ask me, compared to a jubilee bracelet...


Cheers / Pierre

The oyster clasp, after owning it for a few months, it really grew on me and it's the reason I keep wearing it now. The polished sides of the thick clasp matches the polished sides of the thick SD case and it's bling enough for my liking when I do dress up.

As for the oyster strength, how hard is hard to break? I need something more specific I believe the oyster will break at diifferent points depending if its stretched with the clasp open or clasp closed. or if the force cometh from the case or clasp.

[RONeb]

I am not a steel expert, but the 904L is much stronger than the 316, so I think it will take a lot of power (much more than human hands) to break it
Sure there are "weak" points, but still I think it is strong enough that if the bracelet will break down by a hit, probably you will be more in a worry of your hand than the watch

[Atomant]

Originally Posted by RONeb

I am not a steel expert, but the 904L is much stronger than the 316, so I think it will take a lot of power (much more than human hands) to break it
Sure there are "weak" points, but still I think it is strong enough that if the bracelet will break down by a hit, probably you will be more in a worry of your hand than the watch

Are the pins holding the oyster's links together made of 904l too?

[pegase747]

Originally Posted by Atomant

Are the pins holding the oyster's links together made of 904l too?

I don't know what are they made of, but I am pretty sure the one in the clasp will snap right away with not too much strength.

The oyster is very strong when closed safely, but I wouldn't trut its strength when deployed.

That is what i call a good design.

Cheers / Pierre

[RONeb]

Originally Posted by Atomant

Are the pins holding the oyster's links together made of 904l too?

Amm good question

Originally Posted by pegase747

I don't know what are they made of, but I am pretty sure the one in the clasp will snap right away with not too much strength.

The oyster is very strong when closed safely, but I wouldn't trut its strength when deployed.

That is what i call a good design.

Cheers / Pierre

Yep, but I don't think that even if a pin is a little bent it will matter a lot, I mean, as long as it isn't broken I can't see a reason the all thing will fall apart, and breaking a pin is some thing really not that easy to do!

[mike]

I'll add a little to this. 904 is supposedly three times harder than 316. One of the reasons Rolex switched to 904 was to reduce pitting on the caseback sometimes seen with older pieces using 316. It was noted sweat and acidity from contact with skin over time caused this.

As to the issue of NATO vs. Oyster, certainly in all but the most specialized of enviornments the oyster bracelet is more than adequate.
During it's issue to the British Royal Marines and other high speed military units. The 5513/5517 underwent certain mandated changes. One of which was the use of higher visability sword hands than the traditional mercedes hands. MOD specd the use of welded or fixed springbars on watches issued to these units as it's known the weak point in any watch is the springbar.
The NATO strap-also known as the G-10 because of the MOD form used to authorize-presented a much stealther system than the reflective nature of the metal band in certain operations.


Note the fixed springbars on this example,


The complete watch,



Interestingly, official G-10 issued by the MOD are Admirality Grey.

[leopardprey]

That is the Sub I want!!!! I wish Rolex would come out with a new version of that one!!!!! It wold be a really big seller!! Love the Large Sword Hands and minute markings all around the bezel. Wish I could buy one of those Vintage Subs! Last I heard they were going for over $25,000 at auctions.

[mike]

LOL! Chad those have long since passed the 50K barrier, headed a lot higher.

[Tools]

I'm not a fan of the NATO, but I like all watches for their looks and the engineering feat that they represent, so if it looks good, I'm for it.

NATO straps vs. SS bracelet can be argued either way for ever....They both have their audience. I wouldn't generally wear a NATO since I don't see the real purpose in most settings.......Still, This ZULU looks good; I could do this for a hiking or mountaineering adventure:

[USMCsilver]

Originally Posted by leopardprey

Personally I do not prefer the Nato Bands. I like the Zulu bands, which is jsut one strap of Nylon/cloth under the case, instead of two under the case as with the Nato.

Not true.

I have a Zulu branded strap on my Seiko Diver and there are two straps under the case. I believe that it's an option when buying; also, there is an optional NATO with a single strap as well.

The single strap models just don't have all the keepers in place.

[Letsgodiving]

Originally Posted by mike

LOL! Chad those have long since passed the 50K barrier, headed a lot higher.

I LOVE that watch. I'm glad I have your pics to look at b/c at those prices this is as close as I'll ever get.

[mike]

Originally Posted by Letsgodiving

I LOVE that watch. I'm glad I have your pics to look at b/c at those prices this is as close as I'll ever get.

LOL! They're not mine (OH how I wish!!!) They came from "out there".

[Blue Bull]

Looks nice on leather ...

[JJ Irani]

Unless the lug pins have been welded (as depicted in Mike's picture), wearing a NATO can be risky. You could lose your watch in the event of tremendous stress on the bracelet.

The lug pin has been designed to hold the Oysterlock original bracelet with adequate SUPPORT from the SEL (or even the non-SEL) link.

In the absence of the end link, a great deal of stress and strain is being actully placed on the lug pin by the NATO band. This pin could break under duress. The SEL does provide the extra security and strength needed to hold the pins (and subsequently, the bracelet) in place.

JJ

[Letsgodiving]

Originally Posted by JJ Irani

Unless the lug pins have been welded (as depicted in Mike's picture), wearing a NATO can be risky. You could lose your watch in the event of tremendous stress on the bracelet.

The lug pin has been designed to hold the Oysterlock original bracelet with adequate SUPPORT from the SEL (or even the non-SEL) link.

In the absence of the end link, a great deal of stress and strain is being actully placed on the lug pin by the NATO band. This pin could break under duress. The SEL does provide the extra security and strength needed to hold the pins (and subsequently, the bracelet) in place.

JJ

JJ, that's a good point that I had never thought of. Makes sense. I would only use a NATO or similar band if I was expecting to be in conditions that might damage the Oyster bracelet but now I'm not sure I would. I don't really care for the look but in the right circumstance I was thinking it might be a good idea to have one. I'll definitely be re-thinking that after reading your post.

[SPACE-DWELLER]

Well, NATO or not is a matter of personal taste and preferance, but IMHO, NATO on a Rolex is a

[Rubenonfire]

The NATO can be really cool on divers (SD, Subs) and the Explorers.
To me it just really depends on the usage. If you're in a situation where a NATO would yield more versatility and comfort and is appropriate for the environment, then rock it. The Rolex is YOUR watch. I prefer the look of the watch with its original bracelet, and wear my watch accordingly, but if I ever had need for a NATO I wouldn't have a second's hesitation in using it!

[kcmo]

Originally Posted by KansaiVet

NATO? No.

Gotta agree! Sorry.

[Bama]

Originally Posted by Blue Bull

Looks nice on leather ...

Chris, I think that Expy looks great on the brown leather band.

[frostie]

The explorer is a kille with the brown leather. great watch and great pics

[SPACE-DWELLER]

Edit:

It is all a matter of personal taste and preference, but:

NATO stands for:

N(ot) A T(rue) O(riginal) (Rolex part)!

[Downing]

I thought it stood for:

Never Apply This Option

I vote no.

Nein.

Nay.

Nix.

Nada.

Not No Way. Not No How.

Fine Print:

If it makes you happy, then by all means do it.