NATO watch straps ... a spot of advice please.

Ah. thanks. Re. the RAF style, ... by "one piece" I'm guessing it's not what I might call a "normal" two piece" with loops that the pins go through but a NATO style but without , as you say, tan extra flap. I've never seen a NATO (or a G10) and certainly haven't worn one so am a bit unfamiliar ... but I get the gist. Any advice to a layman regarding why I might have one or the other?

Ta.
 
Well that put me in the mood for some Bond tonight :). Must admit I like the sub on a nato strap, might try one on the explorer and see how it looks.
Tried it today needs a 20mm strap though.
hQsLLD6.jpg
 
Hopefully this makes it a bit clearer. The idea of the extra bit is that it stops the watch sliding off the strap, not that I've ever had that problem and every strap I've tried it seems extremely unlikely. Obviously you pull the tail of the strap all the way through so that the extra flappy bit lies flat underneath your watch and then put it on normally. Some people prefer the RAF-style ones because they can centre the buckle under the wrist, personally I quite like having it off to the side as it's not under my wrist when resting it on my desk.

IMG_0221.jpg
 
Yes, I see that ... very clearly said, ta.

One of the possible drawbacks of a NATO I envisaged was the extra bulk/height caused by the depth of strap between watch and wrist ... and the extra flap of the G10 doubles it. But presumably not too much?

If you buy a NATO and it doesn't specify G10 or RAF, would it have the extra flap as standard or would it be a "one piece" with no flap?
 
It does raise the watch a bit but not enough that I mind it. NATO would be one of the ones like in my picture, the RAF style ones you don't see so often. If the extra flap bothers you it's easy to cut it off with a razor blade.
 
In a YT video this chap mentioned premium 1.5mm thick natos don't fit in all situations. Some watches have the pin too close to the case. They are also fairly stiff and might feel bulky (or too sporty). A word of warning to those shopping around for one.
 
Yet again I say a big thank you for all the above, really helpful, replies and photos.

I just realised I have FOUR similar or same field style watches ... two identical green face 18mm Pulsars, one similar (but not identical) 18mm black face Pulsar - and one 20mm black face Seiko. None cost a lot but I'm very fond and all keep fabulously good time. The "InTime" franchise in Debenhams have done a couple of repairs /new glasses and are really good, so I'm confident that all the time they're there (never guaranteed these days) then I can keep them all running. I fit my own batteries and sometimes fit a new (lightly greased) gasket and rarely hanker after anything else.

Maybe sometimes the novelty of something Kinetic or Eco-Drive but it would still be the same field style as they're so clear and easy to tell the time by. Maybe this sort of thing ...

http://www.argos.co.uk/product/2513...MIx4rSq_P-2wIVDrftCh3hUQZ4EAQYAyABEgIRzvD_BwE



I've ordered the two-piece nylons as noted above but will go for a couple of different NATOs just to keep up with the Jones's ( not sure whether RAF or G10 yet) and perhaps a 20mm deployment from TF.
 
It seems to be cheapest (by a decent margin) at Argos. as per the link above.

Japanese made apparently. Other places (including Ebay and Amazon show it at anything from £116 to £175.

It started production in 2002 and some outlets don't show it ... maybe it's not got long left and maybe Argos have got the job of getting rid of stock? It's been that price for many months to my certain knowledge. Several reviews on Youtube.
 
This illuminator has potential for a practical tool watch on a Bond NATO. http://www.argos.co.uk/product/5447613
I like the busier dial than the Casio MDV106-1A Duro.


Ah ... therein lies the difference :)

For me personally the busier the face the harder it is to tell the time in poor light (eg first thing in the morning in winter when it's still dark)..... or, if it's a really busy face, at any time. My poor old eyes don't focus well in half light and when not wearing specs but the high contrast in my own watches is great. Lume isn't really relevant as I can hardly see the markers without glasses and after the watch has been under the blankets all night :)
 
Yet again I say a big thank you for all the above, really helpful, replies and photos.

I just realised I have FOUR similar or same field style watches ... two identical green face 18mm Pulsars, one similar (but not identical) 18mm black face Pulsar - and one 20mm black face Seiko. None cost a lot but I'm very fond and all keep fabulously good time. The "InTime" franchise in Debenhams have done a couple of repairs /new glasses and are really good, so I'm confident that all the time they're there (never guaranteed these days) then I can keep them all running. I fit my own batteries and sometimes fit a new (lightly greased) gasket and rarely hanker after anything else.

Maybe sometimes the novelty of something Kinetic or Eco-Drive but it would still be the same field style as they're so clear and easy to tell the time by. Maybe this sort of thing ...

http://www.argos.co.uk/product/2513...MIx4rSq_P-2wIVDrftCh3hUQZ4EAQYAyABEgIRzvD_BwE



I've ordered the two-piece nylons as noted above but will go for a couple of different NATOs just to keep up with the Jones's ( not sure whether RAF or G10 yet) and perhaps a 20mm deployment from TF.

I like that Citizen too. I'm not gone on the eyelets in the strap but that would be easily sorted.
 
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