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

Few years ago Seiko sold some very interesting military models originally equipped with a NATO:

srp277j1_02_2.jpg
 
Does this qualify as one of Seiko's Military style watches?

http://www.seiko.co.uk/collections/men/discover-more/ska725p1#.WxGfiCAh2Uk

upload_2018-6-1_20-35-32.jpeg

About £160.

I rather fear it looks very much like my own Seiko /Pulsar offerings, above. I think there's a pattern forming. Quite like the strap though.

But if you look at the photo of my Seiko strap, second in from left in the earlier pic, in post #30, and also shown below) I have to say it looks like it won't last forever - the canvas part is wearing well, but the little leather strip sewn on to the canvas around the holes, is looking a little worn and unsightly. Not the end of the world but compared to the stainless bracelets (which look like they WILL last forever, it's definitely a disposable item.

P1010172 (Small).JPG
 
Does this qualify as one of Seiko's Military style watches?

http://www.seiko.co.uk/collections/men/discover-more/ska725p1#.WxGfiCAh2Uk

View attachment 35991

About £160.

I rather fear it looks very much like my own Seiko /Pulsar offerings, above. I think there's a pattern forming. Quite like the strap though.

Yes, it seems so.

In the 80s RAF pilots were issued Seiko quartz chronographs (usually with an admiralty grey Nato strap)
http://wornandwound.com/review/time-spec-seiko-7a28-raf-gen-1-chronograph/

SEIKO_7A28_RAF_DIAL6.jpg


Pulsar0162_001_ml.JPG



They were later replaced by Pulsar (a Seiko subsidiary) chronographs I believe and watch enthusiasts (civilians) did mods mimicking the original Pulsar:

24ouc6b.jpg


Currently available replicas are quite expensive.
https://www.cwcwatch.com/collections/chronograph


But if you look at the photo of my Seiko strap, second in from left in the earlier pic, in post #30, and also shown below) I have to say it looks like it won't last forever - the canvas part is wearing well, but the little leather strip sewn on to the canvas around the holes, is looking a little worn and unsightly. Not the end of the world but compared to the stainless bracelets (which look like they WILL last forever, it's definitely a disposable item.

View attachment 35992

Just replace it with a Nato or even better, a 2 piece Zulu strap.
 
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To help with a bit of clarity

NATO (technically G10) straps have a split section (a Y) that you thread the main body through, so that, should one of your spring bars fail, you don't lose the watch.

ZULU straps (much less common, and not to be confused with Zuludiver, which is a brand) look similar but are one piece and lack the split.

And then there are standard canvas straps, which look similar but are two-piece.

Aside from the array of colours (including the old and new 'Bond' NATOs), you can also get them in various materials, such as leather, if you want to try something different.

They add a bit of thickness to the watch, but if you don't mind that they are very comfortable (plus cheap and durable). Got mine off eBay, all for under a fiver each.

They're easy to change too, so you can mix up your look easily. I have white, baby blue, sand and Bond versions.

Nice couple of field watches you have there.
 
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To help with a bit of clarity

NATO (technically G10) straps have a split section (a Y) that you thread the main body through, so that, should one of your spring bars fail, you don't lose the watch.

ZULU straps (much less common, and not to be confused with Zuludiver, which is a brand) look similar but are one piece and lack the split.

Great info, I had those two mixed up. I thought basically all canvas straps get named nato and zulu is a particular maker brand. Thanks for clearing it up.
 
I, too, am very grateful indeed for the amount of info, that has been offered. I'm now a LOT better informed and have several places to look at with a view to replacement(s).

I didn't know that mine (in #30) are called field watches.

At last I fully realise the meaning of the ZULU word.
 
The "Mr Neng" two piece strap in Cristobal's post (#38) is exactly the one in my photo and came fitted to the Seiko with the black face. It's OK but, as mentioned above, the leather strip with the eight holes has deteriorated a bit where the buckle always rests in the same place and it doesn't look so good.

Anyway, back to the Aliexpress site. My word, there's thousands of 'em on there.

And all for a couple of squid or so.

I'm gonna sort out a couple two piece nylon ones and a couple of either ZULUs or Natos (now that I know the difference) ... probably olive colour and perhaps the stripey Bond type colour .. and maybe something outrageous for good measure. Live dangerously eh?
 
Well, actually you lot have been doing the thinking for me and putting great ideas in my head. Now settled on a handful of cheapies from Aliexpress - at least, initially ... got nothing to lose and if I fall in love with alternative straps then I can do to my collection of watch straps (which is currently only what's fitted to the watches in question) what you lot forced me into doing with my collection of shaving gear i.e. got a load too much! :)
 
Don't go for really cheap NATO straps, they are otfen uncomfortable and will put you off. The ones from Timefactors are superb as mentioned above.
 
Off on a tangent I'd always recommend a deployment clasp on a leather strap. Once fitted it's set to fit your wrist and helps keep the look and in the long term makes the strap last a lot longer. No ore ugly bending of the leather through a normal buckle fitting.
 
Over at Watchuseek forum I believe using the term deployment clasp instead of deployant clasp is a big no no.
 
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