You can find practically any combination of size, color and hardware that you can imagine. I also have a few other straps from them, and I have noticed that there is some variation from strap to strap, possibly as a result of getting them from different suppliers. I also have an 18mm olive green NATO from them, but that strap is currently with a Hamilton that is in for a service so I did not have an opportunity to take photos of it.
If you have an uncommon lug size, need different hardware finishes, or simply want a pattern that is not commonly available, NATO Strap Co. But do keep an eye out for subtle variations between the straps before pulling the trigger, most of which are adequately described in the details given on their respective pages.
The latest strap in my collection comes from WatchObsession, a strap retailer based in the UK that is best known for their large collection of Hirsch straps. This particular NATO comes in a black and white regimental pattern reminiscent of the one released for the Omega Speedy Tuesday Limited Edition Speedmaster, with customized hardware to match. The main differences from their ordinary NATOs are the removable buckle and the SpeedyTuesday engraving found on the strap keeper.
All the hardware is brushed to match the Omega strap it is inspired by. Otherwise, the weave is the slightly looser weave of a standard NATO, with similar qualities in terms of softness and flexibility. One small but distracting detail on this strap is the removable buckle and how the included tang does not seem to match it. The buckle itself has a small groove etched into it to house the tang, but the tang is much longer and does not fit into the groove at all, giving an overall impression that they came from two separate sets of hardware.
It is a small detail and does not detract at all from the utility of the strap, but it can be a bit of an eyesore. The folks at WatchObsession are aware of this problem and have told me that they will get back to me when they find out more. Check out the SpeedyTuesday strap. While the prior entries represent the most common form of NATO with minimal variations, this WatchGecko Prototype strap from the eponymous England-based company represents the first strap with a significantly different type of fabric.
The weave here is significantly tighter and smoother, almost silky to the touch. It is also the thinnest of all the NATOs in this guide, at only 1mm thick. This particular strap comes with a colored edge, available in grey as seen here, as well as orange, blue and red. The hardware used is stitched in place and is similar to the standard NATO hardware, available in either a matte or polished finish.
The material used here makes it the softest and most pliable strap among my entire collection of NATO straps, but this is a double edged sword. Used with lighter and thinner watches, the strap is very comfortable to the point where you might forget you have a watch on at all.
But when used with a heavier watch the material is just a little too smooth and too pliable to keep the watch head in place, leading to a tendency for the watch to slip around the wrist. This is simply my personal experience, of course, and your mileage may vary, but it is something to keep in mind prior to purchase. Another thing to note is that I purchased the strap while it was in its initial prototype stage. The model is currently available as a standard production run.
The full production version may have changes that would not be reflected in this review. See what they got in stock. They have the tight weave and stitched joints of the premium straps, but are limited to polished hardware only. They do offer a slightly personalized touch, however, as the company name is engraved onto one of the metal keepers.
The strap is also slightly thinner, although this has a rather large effect on making the strap softer and more pliable. Overall, if you prefer a softer strap and can live with polished hardware, these are a pretty good option. Selection is a little more limited compared to other stores though, with less color options on offer.
Note: this review is relevant to the straps that I bought from them a few months ago. The Phenomenato started life on the WatchUSeek forums, as the Hungary-based founder was searching for a strap with qualities similar to that of the Omega OEM, but at a cheaper price.
Finding no clear cut options, he opted to produce a run of his own straps while getting opinions from fellow strap addicts on the forums. I personally followed his journey from idea to execution and was one of the first people to place an order.
Fabric wise, the Phenomenato finds itself placed between the WatchGecko and ToxicShiznit at approximately 1. The fabric has a similarly tight weave, but with a less glossy finish compared to the others. While still smooth to the touch, the matte finish makes it feel comparatively grippier. The hardware is also custom made, rectangular with sharp corners and a floating second keeper, making it very similar to the Omega OEM. One major difference is the buckle, which is a custom-made sewed in buckle somewhat similar to a thumbnail buckle.
Overall, this is one of my favorite aftermarket NATOs. The fabric is an ideal blend of smoothness and grip and the moderate thickness allows it to pair well with nearly any watch in my collection. They even provide two different lengths to choose from to accommodate people with different wrist sizes.
But all this comes at a price, as this strap is also the most expensive aftermarket option on this list. As the saying goes, you get what you pay for. While many who have not handled one of these may ask how much difference could there be in a NATO strap, those who have tried one on are often pleasantly surprised by this strap.
The fabric is about as thick as that of the ToxicShiznit but has the densest weave of any strap on this list by a significant margin, allowing it to be softer and more pliable than its thickness would suggest.
The hardware is flawless, with sharp and clean edges polished to a mirror finish. The adjustable second keeper from which the Phenomenato drew inspiration allows you to fold back your excess strap without any unsightly bits sticking out. The buckle and keeper on the extra loop of the NATO are branded with the Omega logo and brand name respectively.
There are, however, three weaknesses to this strap. The first is the size. In a questionable move to save costs, Omega have opted to produce this strap in two sizes: The In practice, the fit of the It has a relatively strange construction, appearing to be a three-tiered metal buckle, with the fabric looped around the middle tier and stitched around it, leaving one end to function as the keeper and another on the inner side pressed against the wrist.
During long wearing sessions, I have found that this inner part can occasionally press on the skin and put enough pressure to cause some irritation. Given, those are minor issues. The last, however, is the biggest problem: the price. Yes, it is possibly the best NATO available on the market today, but whether or not it is worth the asking price is a personal decision best made after trying one on in person.
I personally enjoy wearing this strap, but I do wonder if I would have bought one were it not included with my Speedmaster. Having spoken at some length about all the straps in my NATO collection, I will provide some closing thoughts and suggestions to anyone who is overwhelmed by the number of options available.
With a similar hardware setup and very comfortable fabric weave, the Phenomenato offers an experience that is very close to that of the Omega at a fraction of the price. The ToxicShiznit is an extremely close second and would be my first recommendation if you are looking for a strap that is thicker or more robust. Given the relatively minor differences between the standard NATOs, I would strongly suggest comparative shopping to look at which vendor provides the best combination of price and options for you.
NATO has two straps, and it commonly has thinner and squared-off buckles. It usually has a more stylish and professional finish compared to the other. If you hope to find the best straps for your new watch, consider getting these NATO watch straps for extra endurance and elevate your style with any outfit. Whether your option is black or brown, our NATO straps are perfect for you — from width to style.
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