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USMCsilver · 14 August 2007, 11:37 AM

Anyone else have this problem?

My Zulu that's mounted on my Seiko that I've had for quite some time reeks. Granted, it was used in the Corps and was in the field when it was 105*. It was also used when I was a land surveyor in even worse conditions than the Corps.

Now that I've got this NATO on my GMT, I'm worried about how long it'll take to stink it up, as well.

Got any wonderful cleaning/disinfecting ideas?

I've scrubbed and even tried Lysol, but the damn thing still stinks once it gets somewhat "sweaty".

Thanks!

leopardprey · 14 August 2007, 11:53 AM

Just wash, scrub and towel dry when you take a shower.

Letsgodiving · 14 August 2007, 11:57 AM

I used to wear my Seiko Sports w/ a rubber strap back in my army days and if you sweat it will stink. I could never get rid of it. Sweat builds up and your wrist will stink as well.

Paulie · 14 August 2007, 12:09 PM

If it's a $20 strap, I'd just replace it.

The smell is something growing. You could try a quart of water and a capful of bleach, and soak for a day or so. Or boil it for half an hour or steam treat it by putting it in a vegi steamer on glass plate. Any of these things may weaken the strap though. Could try soaking in some cheap vodka.

But the low level chlorine soak would probably work best. May need to add another capful after a day if you still smell chlorine; like a pool, if you smell chlorine you need more chlorine.

Replacing sounds better all the time.

Paulie · 14 August 2007, 12:11 PM

Oh, I see it now. You're worried because you have a non-lug hole case.

USMCsilver · 14 August 2007, 12:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paulie

Could try soaking in some cheap vodka.

Great idea! I saw that soaking one's feet in vodka could be quite an effective combatant against odor and athlete's foot. I assume it'd solve the stinky strap problem!

USMCsilver · 14 August 2007, 12:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paulie

Oh, I see it now. You're worried because you have a non-lug hole case.

LOL, smartass!

No need to mess with the springbars when changing out a strap!

Paulie · 14 August 2007, 12:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by USMCsilver

LOL, smartass!

No need to mess with the springbars when changing out a strap!

Doh! but but but what if one falls out?!?!?

USMCsilver · 14 August 2007, 12:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paulie

Doh! but but but what if one falls out?!?!?

Then I reckon my watch will kinda dangle in a funny, awkward sort of way.

erasuretim · 14 August 2007, 04:46 PM

Bung the Nato in your washing machine.

Regards

Tim

SPACE-DWELLER · 14 August 2007, 04:50 PM

Best solution:

Wear the ORIGINAL STEEL ROLEX BRACELET on the watch!

Nato straps STINK in more than one sense

JJ Irani · 14 August 2007, 05:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paulie

If it's a $20 strap, I'd just replace it.

That's right....a twenty dollar strap on a five thousand dollar watch!! That just about sums it up, guys!!!

BiG JeEzY · 14 August 2007, 05:14 PM

How about spraying it with some cologne. Or how about tossing it into the laundry?

I dont think that will work.

I would try using soap on it if you can. Soap might be the only cure besides vodka, LOL. Maybe leave it in soapy water overnight if the strap is water resistant and dry it completely afterwards. I hope that will work if you try it.

SPACE-DWELLER · 14 August 2007, 05:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BiG JeEzY

How about spraying it with some cologne. Or how about tossing it into the laundry?

I doubt if TOSSING on it would make it smell any better in the long run!

BiG JeEzY · 14 August 2007, 05:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spacedweller

I doubt if TOSSING on it would make it smell any better in the long run!

Tossing ON it??! Woow.

Erix · 14 August 2007, 10:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by USMCsilver

Now that I've got this NATO on my GMT, I'm worried about how long it'll take to stink it up, as well.

I used my Nato for the better part of 2 years now. Been swiming in seas and lakes, been with me on long hikes and I never had a problem.

I also shower with the watch and nato on..maybe this is a reason why I have no probs.

pegase747 · 15 August 2007, 01:07 AM

Agree with JJ and Spacedweller, just put it back the back it was designed. ====> original Rolex bracelet.

Cheers / Pierre

leopardprey · 15 August 2007, 01:11 AM

used my Nato for the better part of 2 years now. Been swiming in seas and lakes, been with me on long hikes and I never had a problem.

Now that is what I like to hear!! A Rolex on a Nato being used for adventures!!!

roadcarver · 15 August 2007, 01:15 AM

Use febreeze! Or use a deodorant on your wirst LOL!

leopardprey · 15 August 2007, 01:17 AM

Just buy 2-3 Zulu bands. When you shower one gets washed. Then swap it out, so it can dry, with another band. One thing nice about the Zulu or Nato bands, is it take just a few seconds to swap out a band.

roadcarver · 15 August 2007, 01:36 AM

That is a sensible response right there!

Quote:

Originally Posted by leopardprey

Just buy 2-3 Zulu bands. When you shower one gets washed. Then swap it out, so it can dry, with another band. One thing nice about the Zulu or Nato bands, is it take just a few seconds to swap out a band.

USMCsilver · 15 August 2007, 01:37 AM

The thing is, I've washed it with soap. When I go to sweating the next time it is on, it is like the odor instantly returns.

Again, I think the vodka idea is the best. Gonna try it soon!

mcubed · 15 August 2007, 02:47 AM

I had a similar problem with my Nato, when I had it on an Invicta 8926. Washed it, etc, and the smell came back. I rinsed it in rubbing alcohol, and that took care of it.

14 August 2007, 11:37 AM	#1
USMCsilver "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Real Name: Sterling Location: Middle of SC Watch: Anniv. GMT II Posts: 908	Zulu/NATO = Stinky! Anyone else have this problem? My Zulu that's mounted on my Seiko that I've had for quite some time reeks. Granted, it was used in the Corps and was in the field when it was 105. It was also used when I was a land surveyor in even worse conditions than the Corps. Now that I've got this NATO on my GMT, I'm worried about how long it'll take to stink it up, as well. Got any wonderful cleaning/disinfecting ideas? I've scrubbed and even tried Lysol, but the damn thing still stinks once it gets somewhat "sweaty". Thanks! __________________ The Original* USMCsilver© ~~><~~

14 August 2007, 12:09 PM	#4
Paulie "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Chicagoland Watch: GMTII and OP! Posts: 1,272	If it's a $20 strap, I'd just replace it. The smell is something growing. You could try a quart of water and a capful of bleach, and soak for a day or so. Or boil it for half an hour or steam treat it by putting it in a vegi steamer on glass plate. Any of these things may weaken the strap though. Could try soaking in some cheap vodka. But the low level chlorine soak would probably work best. May need to add another capful after a day if you still smell chlorine; like a pool, if you smell chlorine you need more chlorine. Replacing sounds better all the time. __________________

14 August 2007, 12:11 PM	#5
Paulie "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Chicagoland Watch: GMTII and OP! Posts: 1,272	Oh, I see it now. You're worried because you have a non-lug hole case. __________________

14 August 2007, 04:50 PM	#11
SPACE-DWELLER "TRF" Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Real Name: Bo Location: Denmark Watch: Rolex, of course! Posts: 22,436	Best solution: Wear the ORIGINAL STEEL ROLEX BRACELET on the watch! Nato straps STINK in more than one sense __________________ With kind regards, Bo LocTite 221: The Taming Of The Screw...

14 August 2007, 05:14 PM	#13
BiG JeEzY "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Real Name: Jerome Location: N. California Watch: GMT I/EXP II/DJ Posts: 3,351	How about spraying it with some cologne. Or how about tossing it into the laundry? I dont think that will work. I would try using soap on it if you can. Soap might be the only cure besides vodka, LOL. Maybe leave it in soapy water overnight if the strap is water resistant and dry it completely afterwards. I hope that will work if you try it. __________________ -Rolex Explorer II Black dial 16570 (circa 2001) -Rolex GMT Master I Pepsi 1675 (circa 1978) -Rolex Datejust TT Champagne 16233 (circa 1991) -Vintage Longines Automatic La Grande Classique -Vintage Seiko 6138 Automatic Chronograph with "Kakume" Dial

14 August 2007, 11:53 AM	#2
leopardprey Banned Join Date: Nov 2006 Real Name: Chad Location: Around the world Watch: Panerai 233 Posts: 4,204	Just wash, scrub and towel dry when you take a shower.

14 August 2007, 11:57 AM	#3
Letsgodiving "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Real Name: Mike Location: Virginia, US Watch: SD 16600 Posts: 4,319	I used to wear my Seiko Sports w/ a rubber strap back in my army days and if you sweat it will stink. I could never get rid of it. Sweat builds up and your wrist will stink as well.

14 August 2007, 04:46 PM	#10
erasuretim "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: cranfield, uk Watch: 14060m Posts: 251	Bung the Nato in your washing machine. Regards Tim

15 August 2007, 01:07 AM	#17
pegase747 "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: France/HKG/Japan Posts: 194	Oyster Agree with JJ and Spacedweller, just put it back the back it was designed. ====> original Rolex bracelet. Cheers / Pierre

15 August 2007, 01:11 AM	#18
leopardprey Banned Join Date: Nov 2006 Real Name: Chad Location: Around the world Watch: Panerai 233 Posts: 4,204	used my Nato for the better part of 2 years now. Been swiming in seas and lakes, been with me on long hikes and I never had a problem. Now that is what I like to hear!! A Rolex on a Nato being used for adventures!!!

15 August 2007, 01:15 AM	#19
roadcarver "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Real Name: Vernon Location: C-a-n-a-d-a Watch: 16600 Posts: 5,641	Use febreeze! Or use a deodorant on your wirst LOL! __________________ I'm just a cook...

15 August 2007, 01:17 AM	#20
leopardprey Banned Join Date: Nov 2006 Real Name: Chad Location: Around the world Watch: Panerai 233 Posts: 4,204	Just buy 2-3 Zulu bands. When you shower one gets washed. Then swap it out, so it can dry, with another band. One thing nice about the Zulu or Nato bands, is it take just a few seconds to swap out a band.

15 August 2007, 01:37 AM	#22
USMCsilver "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Real Name: Sterling Location: Middle of SC Watch: Anniv. GMT II Posts: 908	The thing is, I've washed it with soap. When I go to sweating the next time it is on, it is like the odor instantly returns. Again, I think the vodka idea is the best. Gonna try it soon! __________________ The Original USMCsilver© ~~><~~

15 August 2007, 02:47 AM	#23
mcubed "TRF" Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: US Posts: 468	I had a similar problem with my Nato, when I had it on an Invicta 8926. Washed it, etc, and the smell came back. I rinsed it in rubbing alcohol, and that took care of it.

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