Nato question

[Check]

I switched to the dark side and now love Nato straps on my Sub LV.


I would like to wear my sub more on nato, but noticed on pics on the internet that if you wear nato straps all the time on your Sub that it will wear grooves into the metal where the serial number/model number are and on the case back.

Do you of you have any thoughts on how to protect the watch head from developing grooves or wear patterns on it? This is the biggest reason why I haven't worn my Nato straps as much as I would like to.

Thanks in advance for your feedback!



Matt

[SC11]

I've had my SubC on a Nato for a good 8-10 days solid wear and haven't noticed any marks as yet but it maybe best for a long term Nato user to pipe in with their findings !

[Vincent65]

don't worry about it, just wear it - or keep it on the bracelet, which will also produce some signs of wear. Wear = wear.

[bonbonson]

A nato strap will not move so much. Friction causes fade of the engraved numbers so i dont think that will happend

[padi56]

Originally Posted by Check

I switched to the dark side and now love Nato straps on my Sub LV.


I would like to wear my sub more on nato, but noticed on pics on the internet that if you wear nato straps all the time on your Sub that it will wear grooves into the metal where the serial number/model number are and on the case back.

Do you of you have any thoughts on how to protect the watch head from developing grooves or wear patterns on it? This is the biggest reason why I haven't worn my Nato straps as much as I would like to.

Thanks in advance for your feedback!



Matt

Never heard of anything made from material causing wear marks in one of the strongest made metal today S.steel.Now metal to metal contact on the older bracelet end-links over a period of 15-20 years did cause some wear on the ref and serials between lugs.

[impalass]

I've had two light lines equalling the width of the Nato appear on the case back of my (sold) 14060, but no marks between the lugs. Probably easy to polish out.

[Cc1966]

NATO material should not affect the 904L SS.

[submariner66]

Won't happen with the 904 stainless







JK


I think you mean the stainless bracelet is the thing that causes that. The nato seems to leave or bypasses them. My dads 60 year old oyster -the numbers are barely visible. When I brought it to RCS they said they could read them with a loupe and if they were in danger of disappearing altogether that they would re-engrave them.

[SUBversive]

I was advised on the omega section by one with years of knowledge to put tape on the case back of speedmaster professional to avoid case back wear or scratching from a NATO.

[ltmgeller]

As others have mentioned, the worn away serial numbers are on older watches after years of hollow end links rubbing into it. The only way I can imagine a nato strap waring down the case would be excessive beach or desert use with plenty of sand caught in the strap without being cleaned off. Just my 2 cents.

[Cc1966]

Originally Posted by ltmgeller

As others have mentioned, the worn away serial numbers are on older watches after years of hollow end links rubbing into it. The only way I can imagine a nato strap waring down the case would be excessive beach or desert use with plenty of sand caught in the strap without being cleaned off. Just my 2 cents.

Good point

[Beelzy]

NATO straps attract dust and lint when constantly worn. That material is what etches the grooves onto our beloved casebacks. So keep those NATOs clean.

[Check]

Thanks for all of your feedback.

I'll put some tape on the back to make sure that any scratches are minimized.

Cheers!

Matt

[KELLY123]

Originally Posted by Beelzy

NATO straps attract dust and lint when constantly worn. That material is what etches the grooves onto our beloved casebacks. So keep those NATOs clean.

This sounds logical.