I made a new video on how I wear my much too long ZULU with wide hoops on my 15 cm wrist, without any lose ends. If this video was helpful to you, you might want to see this follow up as wel: th-cam.com/video/0p5Ci6Irlrk/w-d-xo.html
First time I've seen this method. This solves two of my problems about my 280mm NATO strap. It reduces bulk, and the three buckles make it so that there's no weird extra flap. It also looks cleaner compared the usual suggestion of others to cut of part of the strap. Thanks for this!
This is my preferred method now. I can't believe I've been wearing my NATO straps using the old methods which caused the infamous excess flap or the double-decker fabric under the watch. Your method is very comfortable and three buckles look sleek.
You are welcome, glad to hear! The only reason why I posted this was that it works best for me too, yet I have never seen this simple solution presented somewhere. It is almost as if it is too obvious so that it is overlooked. I found out it works best with stiff straps and/or extended lug tips.
I used to wear Nato straps a lot, now I find elastic straps or rubber straps more comfortable. I ended up modifying my Nato straps, turning them into ZULU style straps by using a razor to slice off the short piece of the trap near the stitching, then using a lighter to gently melt the cut edge to prevent it from fraying. The watch will sit lower on the wrist and I can choose to place the buckle on the underside of my wrist like an ordinary strap. A clean fit IMO. 👍🏻
I am not a fan of cutting things off when it is not necessary and this solution makes good use of the extra strap as filler and for its extra keeper. Given that my wrist is small and I have quite some excess of strap, I don't mind the buckle to be off center. With leather straps I am not used to this either. I have never used elastic straps before, because I figured they either wouldn't fit my small wrists, or the (heavy mechanical) watch would be either bouncing around, or the strap too tight around the wrist.
That’s exactly what I ended up doing I like it so much better without the extra flap and being able to have the buckle under my wrist like you described.
Probably because it is just too obvious and counterintuitive at the same time. You don't use the extra strap at all, but for filler and there is this loose end to boot. It only makes sense once you have tried it. Actually, the fact that I couldn't find any video on this solution on TH-cam is what made me start this channel.
This is by far the best way to put on a NATO strap and avoid the bulk formed outside of your wrist. Previously I saw another way to do it, also "hiding" the bulk inside your wrist, but still the fit wasn't perfect since there was a gap instead of the bulk outside of your wrist. Now, with this method you get rid of the bulk and you get the right fit and balance to hold your watch centered in place on your wrist. Thank you!
@@agustoha871 ah yes, that one. Now I understand what you mean with the gap on the 12 o' clock side. Especially when you have a larger lug to lug in ratio to your wrist size, the case does get quite some room to slide around, which especially with heavy watches makes it feel loose due to lack of structural support in the NATO itself (opposed to firm leather straps on which your watch kind of stands on your wrist. I never thought of this before, but the bulk underneath the lug in the method presented here adds some of that stiffness to the strap, so you could wear it a bit loose without the watch banging around that much. I also didn't like how in the other method the metal keeper is scratching against the buckle. Especially when you have a pvd (or otherwise) coated buckle it might scratch things up quite a lot I guess.
But it still leaves the 'extra' unused strap material bunched up, by the buckle - Cut it off if you don't want it... Stop driving your car by getting in the back seat !
Absolutely stunning, especially for smaller (40mm and lower) watches on smaller wrists and for thinner nylon. And in case one needs to take the watch off the wrist too often, can always return to the "standard" position for that period of time.
Thank you very much! I just got inspired to make a follow up video on how I wear my ZULU. You might want to have a look at that as well. Now that I think of it, I put a link in a pinned comment at the top.
I like NATO straps for lighter weight watches, to me the material seems too thin and soft for heavier watches so I prefer the thicker fabric of ZULU straps, at least the type that only have one layer of material under the watch head. I don't mind the double thickness of thin NATO straps or a single thickness of thicker ZULU straps. I lost a watch one time when a springbar broke. I went back later and found the watch in the grass. I've read about a police office who had a springbar break during a scuffle but he had a NATO strap so he didn't lose his watch. Your alternate method is interesting, I'll try it. Currently I have 3 watches on NATO (and 2 on ZULU).
I also almost lost one of my watches once, were it not for the NATO strap. They were lousy springbars I must admit. I understand what you say about ZULUs. The thing is though that they often don't fit my small wrists. The keepers are too wide to be functional for me, and it just doesn't look good. Also, if it comes to watches, 40mm, 42 mm Max is as big as it gets. Plus with my wrist size I am used to some sliding anyway.
If you’re finding the NATO strap uncomfortable to wear in it’s original configuration then perhaps you should be wearing a single pass nylon strap instead of trying to reconfigure the NATO. The method in the video puts a triple layer of strap on a more sensitive part of my wrist that I find particularly uncomfortable. I think I’ll continue to wear NATOs the traditional way.
Hey, good for you. I like the extra layers because they offer extra support to heavier watches, that can get rather clunky on my wrist otherwise. So for me it is an added benefit.
I'm a bit baffled by why almost everyone likes to thread straps with the buckle at 12 o'clock. I find that with the buckle at 6 o'clock, there are none of the issues of the tucked in end snagging or looking untidy. Where did this unwritten rule come from?
It doesn’t matter much to me, apart from that my hands are more accustomed to fasten the buckle in the standard orientation. I just don’t like to have this bulky excess of strap dangling on the side, wether it is inside or outside. Therefore having the strap underneath the wrist works best for me.
With the buckle at 12 (ie. the top), you can hang the watch via the buckle, such as next to your shaving mirror, on the bathroom, wall. If the buckle was at 6, then the watch would be hung upside-down. Seriously, all these 'alternative' methods... If you don't like the extra layer under the watch, cut it off, or order a single strap. Doing it this way is like driving your car by getting in the back seat - Not as intended !
Which is a viable solution, but I rather not cut it off. If the edge of the cut isn't smooth, it itches. Furthermore I do like the third keeper to pass the strap through, since they tend to be very long. Last reason to keep the extra bit of strap is that more layers add structural support, which with heavier watches or on small wrists makes wearing a watch a bit more comfortable. There is less knocking around on the wrist that way. Having the extra strap at 12 makes the watch more central on the wrist as well.
I made a new video on how I wear my much too long ZULU with wide hoops on my 15 cm wrist, without any lose ends. If this video was helpful to you, you might want to see this follow up as wel: th-cam.com/video/0p5Ci6Irlrk/w-d-xo.html
Tq man. This video really helps me a lot. I'm going to subscribe. Ure awesome
For a person like me who owns so many nato straps, this is of great help. This is the only way I never figured out by my own. Thank you.
First time I've seen this method. This solves two of my problems about my 280mm NATO strap. It reduces bulk, and the three buckles make it so that there's no weird extra flap. It also looks cleaner compared the usual suggestion of others to cut of part of the strap. Thanks for this!
This is my preferred method now. I can't believe I've been wearing my NATO straps using the old methods which caused the infamous excess flap or the double-decker fabric under the watch. Your method is very comfortable and three buckles look sleek.
Best solution I’ve seen for the NATO Strap. Thanks!
I was looking for a nato strap solution and among all the ones on TH-cam your solution worked best for me. Thanks for posting this tip!
You are welcome, glad to hear! The only reason why I posted this was that it works best for me too, yet I have never seen this simple solution presented somewhere. It is almost as if it is too obvious so that it is overlooked. I found out it works best with stiff straps and/or extended lug tips.
This video, right here, is damn neat. Just bought a Timex Expedition Scout 40 with a NATO, and I, as well, have 6" wrists. Thank you, sir!
You're welcome.
Definitely helped. I hated the otherwise around. Thanks man.
I used to wear Nato straps a lot, now I find elastic straps or rubber straps more comfortable. I ended up modifying my Nato straps, turning them into ZULU style straps by using a razor to slice off the short piece of the trap near the stitching, then using a lighter to gently melt the cut edge to prevent it from fraying. The watch will sit lower on the wrist and I can choose to place the buckle on the underside of my wrist like an ordinary strap. A clean fit IMO. 👍🏻
I am not a fan of cutting things off when it is not necessary and this solution makes good use of the extra strap as filler and for its extra keeper. Given that my wrist is small and I have quite some excess of strap, I don't mind the buckle to be off center. With leather straps I am not used to this either.
I have never used elastic straps before, because I figured they either wouldn't fit my small wrists, or the (heavy mechanical) watch would be either bouncing around, or the strap too tight around the wrist.
That's what I do as well, never seen the benefit of the flappy bit.
That’s exactly what I ended up doing I like it so much better without the extra flap and being able to have the buckle under my wrist like you described.
The perfect NATO strap you can buy, best hardware is used, the buckle is without a spring bar so no weak link to worry about.
I have a 7" wrist and this method works very well for me. The strap is exactly the right length so I don't have to tuck in the end.
Excellent video - thanks for sharing !
Really nice solution, I don't know why I didn't have this idea before. Thanks!!!
Probably because it is just too obvious and counterintuitive at the same time. You don't use the extra strap at all, but for filler and there is this loose end to boot. It only makes sense once you have tried it. Actually, the fact that I couldn't find any video on this solution on TH-cam is what made me start this channel.
That green table/background... 🤌🏼,
Magnifique!
😂😂- in all honesty, really great tutorial and explanation 👌🏼
Pure genius, Sir! Thank you so much!
This is by far the best way to put on a NATO strap and avoid the bulk formed outside of your wrist. Previously I saw another way to do it, also "hiding" the bulk inside your wrist, but still the fit wasn't perfect since there was a gap instead of the bulk outside of your wrist. Now, with this method you get rid of the bulk and you get the right fit and balance to hold your watch centered in place on your wrist.
Thank you!
Thank you. I am just wondering what method you are referring to.
@@buying_Time th-cam.com/video/LbKiWPF2ccs/w-d-xo.html
from minute 4:55
@@agustoha871 ah yes, that one. Now I understand what you mean with the gap on the 12 o' clock side. Especially when you have a larger lug to lug in ratio to your wrist size, the case does get quite some room to slide around, which especially with heavy watches makes it feel loose due to lack of structural support in the NATO itself (opposed to firm leather straps on which your watch kind of stands on your wrist. I never thought of this before, but the bulk underneath the lug in the method presented here adds some of that stiffness to the strap, so you could wear it a bit loose without the watch banging around that much. I also didn't like how in the other method the metal keeper is scratching against the buckle. Especially when you have a pvd (or otherwise) coated buckle it might scratch things up quite a lot I guess.
@@buying_Time Yes I agree with your explanation!
you sir, are a genius
Great way to wear a nato! Surprised I haven't seen this before, Thank!!
Thank you, my friend! That was very helpful! 👍🏼👍🏼
Amazing ! The best Way to wear it with small Wrists ! Thank you very much !😃👍🏽
But it still leaves the 'extra' unused strap material bunched up, by the buckle - Cut it off if you don't want it... Stop driving your car by getting in the back seat !
Absolutely stunning, especially for smaller (40mm and lower) watches on smaller wrists and for thinner nylon. And in case one needs to take the watch off the wrist too often, can always return to the "standard" position for that period of time.
Thank you very much! I just got inspired to make a follow up video on how I wear my ZULU. You might want to have a look at that as well. Now that I think of it, I put a link in a pinned comment at the top.
brilliant
I like NATO straps for lighter weight watches, to me the material seems too thin and soft for heavier watches so I prefer the thicker fabric of ZULU straps, at least the type that only have one layer of material under the watch head. I don't mind the double thickness of thin NATO straps or a single thickness of thicker ZULU straps.
I lost a watch one time when a springbar broke. I went back later and found the watch in the grass. I've read about a police office who had a springbar break during a scuffle but he had a NATO strap so he didn't lose his watch.
Your alternate method is interesting, I'll try it. Currently I have 3 watches on NATO (and 2 on ZULU).
I also almost lost one of my watches once, were it not for the NATO strap. They were lousy springbars I must admit. I understand what you say about ZULUs. The thing is though that they often don't fit my small wrists. The keepers are too wide to be functional for me, and it just doesn't look good. Also, if it comes to watches, 40mm, 42 mm Max is as big as it gets. Plus with my wrist size I am used to some sliding anyway.
best way to wear it. ty
How can I add a compass that doesn’t fit through the nato strap but actually make it work
If you’re finding the NATO strap uncomfortable to wear in it’s original configuration then perhaps you should be wearing a single pass nylon strap instead of trying to reconfigure the NATO. The method in the video puts a triple layer of strap on a more sensitive part of my wrist that I find particularly uncomfortable. I think I’ll continue to wear NATOs the traditional way.
Hey, good for you. I like the extra layers because they offer extra support to heavier watches, that can get rather clunky on my wrist otherwise. So for me it is an added benefit.
Thank you kind sir.
Awesome 👍🍻
I'm a bit baffled by why almost everyone likes to thread straps with the buckle at 12 o'clock. I find that with the buckle at 6 o'clock, there are none of the issues of the tucked in end snagging or looking untidy. Where did this unwritten rule come from?
It doesn’t matter much to me, apart from that my hands are more accustomed to fasten the buckle in the standard orientation. I just don’t like to have this bulky excess of strap dangling on the side, wether it is inside or outside. Therefore having the strap underneath the wrist works best for me.
With the buckle at 12 (ie. the top), you can hang the watch via the buckle, such as next to your shaving mirror, on the bathroom, wall. If the buckle was at 6, then the watch would be hung upside-down. Seriously, all these 'alternative' methods... If you don't like the extra layer under the watch, cut it off, or order a single strap. Doing it this way is like driving your car by getting in the back seat - Not as intended !
If bro every finds out you can make any NATO a single pass using a pair of scissors and a lighter, his mind is gonna be blown.
My solution was to just cut off the extra piece of strap and metal hold down, to change the strap to a single pass through strap.
Which is a viable solution, but I rather not cut it off. If the edge of the cut isn't smooth, it itches. Furthermore I do like the third keeper to pass the strap through, since they tend to be very long. Last reason to keep the extra bit of strap is that more layers add structural support, which with heavier watches or on small wrists makes wearing a watch a bit more comfortable. There is less knocking around on the wrist that way. Having the extra strap at 12 makes the watch more central on the wrist as well.
@@buying_Time I have a 7-5/8" wrist, so I can wear a 44mm watch, easily, and not need the third hold down.
@@billkallas1762 wheras my wrist is just under 6", so yeah, I think that difference offers a pretty different experience in wearing Natos.
You’ve got a sub from me 👍🏻
hi, wich komadirske watch is this?
Hi, it is not a Komandirskie. It is an Addiesdive my-h9. Look for a bit more info in the description.
Do you have a link for the strap in the video?
www.amazon.de/-/nl/gp/aw/d/B07F416Q3N?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title
It is where I bought it from. I hope it is also found in other Amazon stores. The NATO was branded as 'Sniper Bay'.
@@buying_Time thank you!
@@differentxminds9907 You can also buy them from aliexpress for like 2 bucks each, really nice quality too.
Just take it the usual way and turn it 180°, so that the bulk is on 6 o’clock. Thats the way i do it
4:44 Instead a three layers bulk in one side, unbalancing more the already imbalanced strap, use scissors.