{05.02.12} Profiles & Features

A 60-Second Guide

NATO Straps

Sporty and colorful, the ribbon watch bands known as NATO straps have been gaining in popularity lately, and for good reason. They're comfortable, easily interchangeable and a quick way to add some rugged military style to your timepiece.

Sean Connery's James Bond wore his Rolex Submariner on a NATO strap in Goldfinger.

Provenance

The original strap was made for the British Ministry of Defense—not NATO. The association came due to the NATO stock number used to identify the straps. According to military specs (seen above), it was made from woven nylon in British standard grey and finished with chromium plated brass hardware.

Styles

The bands are now offered in a range of colors, materials and prices.

Nylon stripes

$10, by The Knottery

Camo

$20, by J.Crew

Suede

$28, by J.Crew

Shell cordovan

$155, by DaLuca

Strap One On

The band's long length allows the wearer to resize the strap to fit over a sleeve or wetsuit, and it also makes it easy to remove with a simple tug on the end. But the configuration can be confusing to the uninitiated.

Thread the strap through both spring bars on your watch.

Thread the long end through bottom keeper to secure watch.

Fold the loose end over the last ring and back under itself.