Nato Strap Modification Tutorial - It's Better This Way
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 28 ก.ย. 2024
- Nato straps are a cool and inexpensive way to try out a new vibe for your favorite watch, but when they arrive they just aren't quite right. They have this extra strap piece that adds to the height of your watch on the wrist, and makes the strap a little less comfortable too. Marshall walks you through how he fixes this for his nato straps in this video!
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I find that you don't have to cut it off. Place the strap in as usual, but when you put on the watch, put your hand in between the hole that's created and double back the extra band that's left. In other words, put your hand in between the two layers that would usually lie between the watch and wrist.
Nordic watch channel shows what you’re explaining. 👍
th-cam.com/video/8VxB4AXzy5k/w-d-xo.html
Lmao how the fuck did I not come up with this.. my stupid ass was cuttin em off 💀💀
@@apax2901 1 reason for cutting that extra keeper is less fabric. That keeper adds another layer that sits between yoyr wrist and your watch, adding height to the watch, and makes it even harder for the watch to sit flush and move about more. The other added benefit of removing that keeper is more buckle spacing to be able to keep the watch more secure.
Thank you, i just got my nato yesterday. i love the way it looks but the thickness it adds on my already thick seiko 5 and nautica makes the case sit too tall on my small wrist. i feel bad about cutting it. glad i found your comment lol! another note is this method may increase the thickness on the outer side instead, doesnt feel or look anything bad to me. just a sidenote.
Another great benefit to the NATO is that even if one pin breaks or fails, the watch is still retained. I love NATO straps. Cheap, strong, secure, simple and easy. 99% of the time my watches are hanging from a NATO.
That is the whole reason why I use nato straps. I even take the strap off of my $2000 Hamilton watch and put it away to use it. It has actually saved my watch several times where if it had been the normal strap that came with the watch, it would be gone...
Let's not forget comfort; NATOs are some of the most comfortable straps out there. I live in Phoenix, AZ; when the temps go up here, NATOs are about the only thing that can be comfortably worn in the heat.
@@archerpiperii2690 100%!!! Important point! They’re just the best wristwatch innovation. Period.
@@allthingsgilmour you should invest in some good spring bars. I never use the ones that come with a cheap strap.
I'm pretty sure that's the primary reason for a nato strap :) (lol)
On thinner NATOs I own, the watch will move around and slide off - if you're not wearing it that is. It happened to me while I was standing in the bathroom (of course it had to be a room with a hard floor)... the watch slipped off the strap and dropped about a meter onto the floor-tiles. Ouch! I own another NATO for that same watch and that one is made from seat-belt fabric and is much thicker. I'd never worry about slippage with that one.
However: There's no real need to go around cutting those straps off. What I do with the thicker one is I simply wear it differently. You don't secure the 2nd strap as you're meant to, but instead you let it flop about and with the watch on your wrist, insert the loose end of the strap into the hoop at the end of the 2nd strap and *then* insert the loose end into the buckle and fasten the strap. It's kinda hard to describe, but it's super easy when you do it. It removes the 2nd strap from under the watch and basically turns the NATO into a Zulu without having to cut off anything.
Seeing how you seem to be a fellow lefty: You might want to try putting the NATO on upside-down, so that the buckle is on the 6oc side of the watch, not the 12. I find it easier to wear it that way, it moves the buckle to the center of my wrist's underside and it puts all the "excess strap" on the inside of your wrist. That, IMO, makes it less noticeable and somewhat more comfortable on your arm.
Please make a video
You just blew my mind! For those who don't follow, I think you just route that 'extra' part that he cut off here underneath your wrist rather than underneath the watch back. Then when you put the watch on, put the non-buckle end of the strap (the side with the holes) through the ring on the end (the one cut off in the video) and then through the buckle as usual.
I've been doing this for years and I've always wondered if anyone else did this. For anyone wondering why you couldn't just buy "single pass" natos or RAF straps, you can, but regular nato straps are found everywhere and have a greater selection of designs/colors.
1🎯🎯% Plus the RAF straps have that exaggerated hardware that I find a bit over the top for most applications
Guys, there are two other ways that don’t involve cutting and make them single pass where it matters.
@@2K9s it actually doesn't matter there. If a springbar pops on a single pass, the watch head will still stay on.
@@s241914 but isn’t his reasoning for cutting to limit thickness under the strap? Nordic watch channel shows what I’m trying to explain.
This is probably the first uploaded video with an Omega Speedmaster without mentioning any word about how beautiful this watch is.
Good video
This is my first time looking at some of your older stuff. I'd LOVE to see more videos like this in the future.
I generally wear nato straps, some are now available as single pass straps (meaning you would not have to cut off that extra bit). Generally, I hate tucking the long end over so I also trim that extra off (the bit that goes way past the keeper) and sear the end with a lighter.
also a fan of Barton nato straps, they use a cloth/nylon keeper.
Since seeing this video, I have done this to all of the nylon slip-through straps I have gotten and it is sooooo much better. Had to come back to say thanks! It seems so intuitive now, but I would have just continued fussing with that extra flap had I not gotten this push.
Thanks for the video. And thank you for making me know that I am not the only one who doesn’t like the additional part of the strap. Now my strap looks much better.
I like the extra height from the double pass as it raises the crown away from the wrist and you can get away with wearing a larger watch without the crown pushing into the back of the and when doing certain tasks. I feel the extra bulk also gives a more premium aesthetic too
That's not why the second strap is for. People assume that and it becomes a myth. Back in the day, straps weren't easily matched by size to the watches. Often times, an 18mm strap was the only option for a 20mm lug width watch. The second strap would prevent the watch from flying off the strap when handling.
Whoah!! This is what Marshall looks like? Good to see your face, sir. I clearly have not watched all your videos yet, but I do enjoy them thoroughly. I take so many tips from you. Been watching Kalle a lot lately and it’s thanks to you mentioning him that I’ve learned so very much
Absolutely brilliant! Immediately preformed the S on a nato following watching your video. I have always loved the look and hated the feel of NATO's. They always sit too high, affect the feel of the watch and on heavier divers you have to cinch em down so much they strangle your wrist. Now my watch sits closer and is SO much more comfortable. Thanks much!
This was a really great tip! I got small wrists and the nato sits so much better when cutting the extra strap.
I've watched seemingly all of your videos and I'm just now seeing your face lol. Love your videos Marshall, keep up the good work!
I was wearing a Speedmaster on a NATO in Italy last month without cutting the bottom strap, and it wore a little high. The bottom strap is there to prevent the watch from moving around, but mine keeps perfectly in place nonetheless. Thanks for reminding me of burning to avoid shredding.
Great Marshall and thanks for share with us!!! You solve the main concern to use Nato strap in my watches. Great greetings from Saudi Arabia!!!!
I've always wondered what you looked like Marshall! Love your channel!
Funny, it’s the first your video when I see your face and I must admit I thought you are much older, like 10 to 15 years more :D You have this radio voice quality. I love your revival videos, keep them coming
Love the fact you used a Help for Heroes strap there... the 'cool colours' that NATO straps come in are (at least in the UK) generally Army Corps colours and match up with the stable belts... the issue that I have with them is that there's a right way and a wrong way up to wear them if they have Corps colours, which is really annoying if your wear your watch on your right wrist because you have to basically fasten it backwards in order to have the strap the right way up.
I still have a timex expedition watch with a G1098 strap somewhere in the house long since forgotten until now. Thanks for reminding me.
This is so helpful. I was having a similar problem with how the NATO straps seem bulky for my taste.
th-cam.com/video/8VxB4AXzy5k/w-d-xo.html
Congrats, you just invented the RAF strap :)
Did this to all my NATOs months ago.Im not the only one that hated the bulky NATOs ,but loved the secruty.
Then instead of NATO straps go for Zulu straps and there's no need to cut
We get to actually see Marshall on camera. Cool.
Why not just purchase a Zulu strap?
That extra strap stops your watch from sliding down the strap when you’re taking it off.
There’s other ways to wear a NATO strap so it’s not bulky up top.
I also adjust de strap in a way that the bulky part stays under de wrist instead of to one side. Just place the watch a bit closer to the strap holes.
If you get the ballistic nylon from Vario you don’t have a piece to cut off but you still get the three loops to control the tail.
Nice to see you use a British military Tri-service strap
The first video were i see your face, I was imagining a old dude, but you look good and young! Nice videos.
Great video. My wrist is so big that the tail only goes as far as the second buckle!! No need to fold it back. I love NATO straps.
love this mod to bits, not only it looks better especially on smaller wrists/watch, the watch stays in place better and wears under cuffs/sleeves better as well.
I’ve just tried it and now the strap is looking and wearing much better on wrist than before!!
Such a great vid!, Thanks for sharing 👍
Awesome demo Marshall. Thanks for the info. It’s because of true Horologist like you the hobby of watch collection is alive and continuous today.
That extra strap piece not only prevents the watch from moving but also helps relieve the stress from the spring bars. Much safer not to cut it
Always nice to see another right-wristed watch wearer. :D
Yeah I have been since I was a kid even though I'm right-handed :)
You convinced me. Next watch I get has a nato strap.
Y can't you just use single pass nato strap?
I have a few, though generally the selection of regular nato straps is better.
I used to think the two layers of fabric under the watch was meritless. It actually has utility because the watch is a little less likely to dig into the wrist, but the old bund strap provides that utility much better with only one layer. I personally prefer a strap that has no fabric under the watch.
I can't believe how many people don't know what the 'extra strap' is for. Once on the wrist in the correct position it actually means there is less strain on the watch pins and so is an extra precaution against them failing.
If you don't want that extra then get a 3 ring zulu or a single pass through nato.
You could also get a Perlon strap.
Basically, a ZULU strap out of any material.
Yep. It's so, so, much better
Agreed
The nato strap is designed to keep your watch from falling off if you break a pin in rough situations.
Wrong. The watches it is designed for never had springbars.
Single pass NATO straps are available without the need to mutilate something you just bought. Most RAF Aircrew straps are single pass and some of them are leather lined.
I am fine with the second pass on thin nato but i hate it on thicker straps. I’ve seen tudor style natos which are one pass too.
You don't have to ruin or cut up your strap, you can just move the watch down past the the loop, and you have enough material to do a single pass. Plus you get the cool look of the buckle under the watch.
Or you can put your wrist into the actual loop, and do it up from there..which is super comfy.
Loving the UK armed forces colour NATO strap: navy blue, red and RAF light blue. As a Brit who like military history, I must find one like that
Isn't that the BMW M tricolor?
I’m a rubber strap guy, I have 3 watches that aren’t G-Shock and I have Barton straps on all of them. I love the quality of the price of Barton watch straps.
Great idea and nice video. Thanks
Holy F***! I haven't seen Marshall since I stopped playing MTG. Hope you're doing well dude!
Me too...for years.
Cant understand how that extra piece is worthwhile in any way.
PS razor blade cuts well too...or olfa blade.
So, spend the money on a Nato strap, cut a bit off, and make it into a cheaper strap. Brilliant!
I’ve been cutting off the keepers for years, I agree great video my friend.
One reason why a manual wind (thinner) watch works well with nato straps
Personally I love having the small keeper strap segment, thats the reason I don't buy single pass nato/zulus. I also just think single passes look cheap and just slapped on whereas a double pass looks intentional and elegant
Maybe forgotten in "First World", can buy "single" strap, which is one-part (like nato) but hasn't additional element
Pretty helpfull, I'll never was into natos because of its look, but now I'll try it.
Where did you get that Gulf colored nato? It's awesome, do you have a link to it?
The purpose of the nato strap is in case the spring bar comes loose the watch won’t slide off your wrist. It will be Held on your wrist by the 2nd strap.
The second strap he cut off doesn’t pass through the spring bars, so it does nothing extra to help hold the watch on if a spring bar breaks. The modification he showed will still hold the watch on if a spring bar breaks.
2nd strap is to prevent it sliding off when NOT on your wrist. See above bathroom floor comment. This is the actual design feature.
To a soldier the 'extra' bit of strap has an actual utilitarian purpose ... it goes over the watch face to protect it and reduce the risk of reflection off the glass surface.
Instead of threading the long strap down behind the watch pin you thread it up, over the face and down the other pin, through the metal link on the small strap (which now sits under the watch and against your wrist) and hey presto it's on your wrist and away to go.
(Small disclaimer, in my 24yr military career I never once wore the strap like this but that is what it's designed for).
You were told nonsense. It makes no sense at all, there is literally no way you can usd a NATO on a G10 or Diver to be able to protect the glass or stop reflections.
@@wayneholmes637 - 🤔 did you struggle with reading at school? Did my middle paragraph pass you by? It literally explains how to do it!
I've had a CWC Diver (NSN 0555-6645-99) for well over 20yrs and could switch the strap info that configuration in about 10secs if I wanted to 🤷🏻♂️
Incidentally, I wasn't 'told' this was one of the ways of wearing the strap, it was printed on the labels of the huge boxes the straps came in (I think there were 500 in a box) so maybe you should take a breath before calling something "nonsense" fella.
I noticed you wear your watch on your right hand. I’m wondering if you are left handed or are you like me, right handed and wear on the right?
With the flap cut off one still gets the protection if a spring bar breaks. That's it that's the point.....
Why not avoid the hassle and buy a zulu strap?
Hahahaha. Classic
Exactly what I was thinking
It stinks when it gets get wet
if one of the spring bars break the extra piece keeps your expensive $4k watch from falling on the concrete floor. This feature has saved me more than once.
It´s still gonna be on your wrist, you still have one piece of strap going trough the spring bars, if one fails the other will still be on your wrist. The other piece only keeps the watch from sliding around, in terms of safety it's redundant...
I cut my Nato strap too but it isn't such a good idea because if you have a heavier watch , you feel like it's falling off your hand.
I own a Timex Expedition Scout and it's a bit beavy for a single layer nato strap, please be cautious about this .
Thats a good idea, I wonder why I didn't think of it.
Wrap that secondary (dangling strap) wrap around the bottom of your wrist and feed the main star through and then buckle it.
or you can do what I do, cut off the extra (that hangs out way past the keeper) and sear the end.
Looking for a good and affordable nato strap that is 18mm. Any advice?
What to do if it is too short: ( just bought one, and yeah, way too short..). Un-stitch it, make the part with the pin longer, and the other part shorter.. and restitch it, ask a tailor or shoe maker to do it. Melting: use two coins, hold it in between the coins with a pincer/tongs, heat the coins...keep the strap clean. extra holes, needle and soldering iron to heat the needle, first the needle through the strap, than heat it.
I hate natos for all the reasons you said. I switched to French Paratrooper watch straps. Looks like a nato without the height and side bulge.
I also hate those aspects of NATOs and also cut off those bits. Now I just buy single strap Zulus. For the pieces I have cut off my NATOs I have used them on my key rings, just for visual pop; it helps me find my keys on a messy table etc.
I usually wear my rugged watches when doing sports and other activities outdoors, which means I am not only sweating but wearing sunblock. Follow up to that type of activity requires cleaning a metal bracelet, which is a slight pain, if easy enough to do... but that sort of wear kills a leather strap quickly. With a NATO or Zulu, you just pull it off and run it through the wash. These straps are inexpensive enough that you could easily have several in reserve to get you to laundry day.
Add me to the folks who have lost a springbar but kept my watch from harm thanks to my Zulu straps.
I have tried rubber on my diving watches and some rubber is much nicer than others...but I've never found any rubber aesthetically pleasing to look at or wear.
Thats the one thing i like about the nato strap?
What does everyone think of the new Zero Pass strap by the watch crunch guy ?
Instead of burning I use clear ladies nail polish and apply it. Also on the holes of the strap.
I guess you can reposition the strap and make the extra strap be under your wrist not on the side
Can you review or discuss the JLC Master Control Sector. Absolutely LOVE
this watch. May be the prettiest watch under $15,000 I've seen. Can't
find any for sale anywhere. Why? Is it a limited edition?
Better non destructive option... Put the strap through in the other direction from the 6 until the ring for the second part of the strap (short section) is halfway under the watch. Put the strap on and run it through both buckles. You now have a single pass strap and don't have to ruin what you purchased.
Put the watch closer to the holes and you can have the fold over junk closer to under your wrist, where it belongs.
Very helpful. Thanks.
Do the Same with the Excess Length too-Snip (ok,slightly round )and Flame-No Tuck!
Just get a Zulu strap which is similar but no extra bit to cut off
I love how they look off the wrist but as soon as it’s on it just looks bulky and cheap. Also, most non Watch people will agree as well. Only the ones in the know like the look..
You can put it in different, so that the thick part is underneath your wrist... It's on you tube..
Did he mention the rubber (silicone ) straps or I missed that ?
I find that they are ugly.
Two more types: military covered and expandable metal (i.e. 'Speidel Twist-o-Flex' et. al.).
I love the expandable ones for some watches. I got some new old stock Speidel Twist-o-Flex bands for my modded Casio Royales and they look super cool.
i love the symetry of the two rings on each side of the watch, it's the reason i like nato.. i'm not fan of you mod for this reason. now it looks like a backpack strap.
New subscriber, Fantastic 🏆👌l love a good Zulu strap😊 thanks form Perth Australia 🦘
Great video! One question. Does the watch move on this single strap?
It does not :)
@@WristwatchRevival Thanks!
The weak point on a NATO isn’t the strap, it’s the spring bars.
You dont have to cut it. It can stay there. Just put it on in a bit different way. I like to put it in a way the buckles are not on the side but below my hand.
Ultimate hack! THANKS!
Cutting the NATO out of the strap! 😁👍
Thank you very much
This is exactly what I do with NATOs.
Why not buy a marine nationale strap instead? I discovered them by accident & think they're the most underrated strap available
Nice!
The purpose of the “extra” strap is so that if one of the spring bars fails the watch doesn’t fall off and get left behind. This was especially important for the special operators for whom this strap type was designed. Plausible deniability and stuff.
A single pass also stops the watch falling off for a single spring bar failure. Are you blind or just dumb? The second layer is to stop the watch sliding off the strap while putting it on or to put the watch hanging on a nail on a wall.
This is highly subjective (basically to me it's like "how to ruin a strap" 🤣 but yes the procedure is flawless). I love the NATO straps exactly and also cause of the second strap. It's more comfortable on the wrist, it raises the watch slightly so it does not press flatly on your wrist and it also makes smaller watches look slightly "better". On a psychological useless note it also retains the "feel", meaning why use a NATO strap to begin with? It's the way it's intended to be, a historical/utilitarian thing
The Speedmaster is more comfortable in a nato than in a bracelet.
You dont need to cut up your nato strap to make it that way. there is another strap called a 'zulu' strap that esentially is the nato strap with that part cut off.....rather it is simply omitted for the reasons that you state .
Funny I've been doing this for years! Lol😅😅