BLNR on NATO or Rubber B, yay or nay?

[ikeo1]

I'm a little torn.. I like the look but at the same time I feel like it cheapens it a little bit.

I went back to the original stainless but still considering the Rubber B with blue strip.

What are your thoughts?

Stock
Rubber B
NATO
Other?

With NATO




With steel

[dave_dave]

Stock imo

[Jack T]

Nay

[Brian Page]

I'm a NATO guy every once in a while, but I tend to wear it more on my Sub no date, but here's a shot of mine -

[toneafficianado]

Great for variety and keeping the original unscathed. Great for working whilst wearing.
Rubber B is a lot stiffer at the case than Nato or original but looks incredible with coloured stripe. If you're not swimming with the watch consider black leather with blue stitching. I just got one with red stitching for my sub from Bas and Lokes here in Australia and it feels great.

[Speed]

A BIG Nay / Nyet / No No !!!

A NATO on a BLNR is much like putting a faux leather steering wheel cover on a Porsche.

[Flintstone]

IMHO it cheapens it

[Brian Page]

Certainly makes it less dressy which is okay sometimes.

[sickened1]

Personally I like it better on bracelet but that's just me.

[Old Expat Beast]

Bracelet. Maxi case sports watches and nato straps is too socks-and-sandals for my liking.

[Speed]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

Bracelet. Maxi case sports watches and nato straps is too socks-and-sandals for my liking.

This is the best analogy Adam. Thank you.

[Muzz]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

Bracelet. Maxi case sports watches and nato straps is too socks-and-sandals for my liking.

I would have to concur with the maxi case combo, just looks off

[zama]

I like them on bracelet, but I can see how this mixes it up a little.

[sturgeon123456]

Originally Posted by ikeo1

I'm a little torn.. I like the look but at the same time I feel like it cheapens it a little bit.

I went back to the original stainless but still considering the Rubber B with blue strip.

What are your thoughts?

Stock
Rubber B
NATO
Other?

With NATO
Attachment 565466
Attachment 565467
Attachment 565468

With steel
Attachment 565469

You have to fold the extra length of the strap over and tuck it into one of the loops. Looks okay but IMHO very few modern Rolexes look good on nato but I wear them anyway just to lighten things up a little.

[Brian Page]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

Bracelet. Maxi case sports watches and nato straps is too socks-and-sandals for my liking.

For me and my wrist a nato works fine on a maxi case, but that's why I ended up with the maxi, had an SD4000 and loved it but it just wore too small and tall on my wrist. Personal preference, I guess, but I LOVE wearing a nato on my sub when I dive (trying to keep the bracelet clean for a while)

[Old Expat Beast]

Originally Posted by Brian Page

For me and my wrist a nato works fine on a maxi case, but that's why I ended up with the maxi, had an SD4000 and loved it but it just wore too small and tall on my wrist. Personal preference, I guess, but I LOVE wearing a nato on my sub when I dive (trying to keep the bracelet clean for a while)

Wearing a nato on a new sub or SD while diving is fine, as it's a practical thing. But folks really do get carried away with them sometimes. There should be a photo thread called Epic Nato Fails. I've got a couple of old contributions for that myself.

[melrob1]

Sorry don't like it. Not sure rubber would be great either. If you want to tone it down a bit I would brush the PCL's.

[Brian Page]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

Wearing a nato on a new sub or SD while diving is fine, as it's a practical thing. But folks really do get carried away with them sometimes. There should be a photo thread called Epic Nato Fails. I've got a couple of old contributions for that myself.

I would agree with that! I do as well! It should also be noted that there are good natos and really bad ones as well...

[Brian Page]

Originally Posted by melrob1

Sorry don't like it. Not sure rubber would be great either. If you want to tone it down a bit I would brush the PCL's.

That's certainly a way to go as well, I've seen some good results on the forum, for me my BNLR is my "dressier" watch so I like the PCL's, if it were my daily I would consider brushing the bracelet out.

[Le Chef]

If you can wear a Sub with a tux you can put a NATO on a GMT. Anything goes with a Rolex, right?

[HogwldFLTR]

Really it's nice to mix things up! I like the Emerson quote which begins, "A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds." There are more reasons to decide what one wants than looks and fashion alone. I think Brian's watch looks great, too. I remember in the thread by Talkstoomuch his using Natos to reduce risk of losing his watches. Sometimes they just feel good as well.

[Brian Page]

Originally Posted by HogwldFLTR

Really it's nice to mix things up! I like the Emerson quote which begins, "A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds." There are more reasons to decide what one wants than looks and fashion alone. I think Brian's watch looks great, too. I remember in the thread by Talkstoomuch his using Natos to reduce risk of losing his watches. Sometimes they just feel good as well.

Your right - options are good, and your right that sometimes it's nice to get the steel bracelet off and have it feel different

[ikeo1]

Originally Posted by Brian Page

Your right - options are good, and your right that sometimes it's nice to get the steel bracelet off and have it feel different

The main reason I swapped it out was to keep the 1.) PcL clean 2.) make it a little lighter 3.) add a little variety 4.) not worry about the bracelet while working.

I like the PCL but it gets hairlines. I don't want to brush it out because that's what the other one is for.

I guess I tried the nato cause I liked the look but once I got it on.

A.) I got tiny scratch marks on the case taking out the bracelet at the lugs. I thought the 904L would v a little more resistant than it was.

B.) felt a little awkward putting a $10 strap on a $9k rolex.

C.) it lost its bling, which is what I thought I wanted until I actually saw it.

What tool do u use to change ur straps without making marks on the case? Mine are tiny but don't want to do it again. I do think I'll keep the PCL. But wondering how to keep that pristine.

Thanks so far for the input..

[sturgeon123456]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

Wearing a nato on a new sub or SD while diving is fine, as it's a practical thing. But folks really do get carried away with them sometimes. There should be a photo thread called Epic Nato Fails. I've got a couple of old contributions for that myself.

I get carried away with them...totally guilty. And I have pondered starting an ugly nato thread lol

[bbressler]

It's too much of a formality differnece with the newer models and NATOs. It's like wearing a jacket and tie with jeans.

[travisb]

I like NATO straps but not on the BLNR. Bracelet only.

[regnant]

Bracelet

[GMTfanatic]

Why no Perlon?
(20%off using "gmtfanatic" only for RolexForumMembers)

[pacific17]

No on NATO or Perlon. Maybe a Rubber B but bracelet preferred.

[Johny]

the nato looks great.