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

Is the Timefactor site always populated with stuff that's either sold out or discontinued, or both?

The other problem (for me) is that 18mm is not a popular size therefore, for example, the deployment (deployant !!) clasp can't be had ... nor can all but one range of NATO straps.
 
...thanks to @DevonStan for posting the question and all who contributed, I also learnt much. Purchased a NATO watch strap from Timefactors for a diving watch. Beautiful strap but once I tried it on I new immediately the bulk was not for me and that a one piece nylon strap would suit me better...
 
Cheap, durable, washable, easy to change, secure, available in colours to suit every taste.

...and comfortable.

Metal straps used to snatch at my arm hair and I found cumbersome, leather tends to degrade on my wrist over time and rubber/plastic although comfortable could be sweaty if I'm active. @ Rufus, do you have the straps fitted the right way around ie buckle at 6 rather than 12 oclock if you lay the watch out flat, if not they will be extremely difficult to put on.
 
...and comfortable.

Metal straps used to snatch at my arm hair and I found cumbersome, leather tends to degrade on my wrist over time and rubber/plastic although comfortable could be sweaty if I'm active. @ Rufus, do you have the straps fitted the right way around ie buckle at 6 rather than 12 oclock if you lay the watch out flat, if not they will be extremely difficult to put on.
I believe I may not have the strap fitted properly. My principal beef with them is that I find them unattractive compared with the stainless steel bracelets on my Omega Constellation and Seamaster Professional, as well as the leather straps on my Patek and Heuer. All these straps are very comfortable and good looking. I have a NATO on my Vostok, which I wear only when I garden or workout.
 
It's not about having one strap type, but a selection. Amazing how much you can change a watch (dress it up or down) with simple strap change, often for very little money. They're great for offering flexibility.
 
I think the real problem is to find either a NATO made according to the MoD specs (welded, correct length, etc) or of good quality. Some of the cheap ones made in Asia are OK, but they are too short 99% of the time. Quality-wise, some NATOs sold by Brit sellers and made in the UK are worthwhile (usually £10 or more). On the other hand I had only good experiences with the Maratac's (US likely made in Asia or in the US, which are sewn).

I miss the NATO I bought a few years ago (circa 2011) from an eBay seller (Micky 'something') affiliated (somehow) to Phoenix (made in the UK then). It had the original Admiralty Grey colour, was welded and extremely comfortable; I lost it unfortunately. Oddly enough, I bought some other Phoenix NATO on eBay, with the logo on the buckle, which were of poor quality in comparison.

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Indeed, am extremely grateful for all the advice received.

Have ordered a brace of two piece nylon (NATO type appearance) straps from AliExpress. Cheap as chips. Olive colour and black and grey striped. Two at a couple of quid and one at four pounds something.

Being 18mm and wanting two piece restricted choice quite a lot. We'll see how it goes.

Not expecting delivery tomorrow, but I'll live with that.

Ta.
 
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I believe I may not have the strap fitted properly. My principal beef with them is that I find them unattractive compared with the stainless steel bracelets on my Omega Constellation and Seamaster Professional, as well as the leather straps on my Patek and Heuer. All these straps are very comfortable and good looking. I have a NATO on my Vostok, which I wear only when I garden or workout.

If in principle you find them unattractive despite the huge range of materials, colours and styles available why buy one in the first place? I think, for most nato adopters whatever the cost and apparent prestige of a time piece, it's a chance to individualise a piece and make it your own. I have a JLC and Grand Seiko and I ripped their straps off as soon as I could, not because they weren't adequate, functional or good looking enough but because as well as individualising these pieces I wanted to deemphasis their visual appeal by making them less recognisable so to me they were more comfortable to wear. Lets face it, watch wearing as well as posting here is for many legalised cock waving, you were happy to list your high end pieces and then snidely suggest your nato was just good enough for your lowly Vostok and the garden or gym....well there you go, wave away.
 
If in principle you find them unattractive despite the huge range of materials, colours and styles available why buy one in the first place? I think, for most nato adopters whatever the cost and apparent prestige of a time piece, it's a chance to individualise a piece and make it your own. I have a JLC and Grand Seiko and I ripped their straps off as soon as I could, not because they weren't adequate, functional or good looking enough but because as well as individualising these pieces I wanted to deemphasis their visual appeal by making them less recognisable so to me they were more comfortable to wear. Lets face it, watch wearing as well as posting here is for many legalised cock waving, you were happy to list your high end pieces and then snidely suggest your nato was just good enough for your lowly Vostok and the garden or gym....well there you go, wave away.

I respect your opinion; there is no need to be a troll about mine.
 
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