Watch Spotlight: The Definitive Guide to NATO Straps

The great thing about watches is that you can switch out any component to fit your wearing preferences, including the strap. There are many different watch straps, such as the NATO strap. The NATO strap is known for its sturdy and adjustable (quick-release) quick-release spring bars, which makes a NATO strap easy to fit onto any watch with a buckle that is between 20mm – 24mm across.

These days NATO straps are available in various materials such as nylon, leather, and vintage canvas. In particular, the nylon straps tend to be the most affordable of the three, with prices starting at around $25 for a 20mm wide by an inch long strap. Prices for the 20mm wide NATO straps in canvas or leather can range from $35 to $110, with the price varying based on quality material and the functionality of the strap. This is just the tip of the iceberg because there are more things about the NATO strap.

In this article, we’ll go into detail about NATO straps. Read on below to get started.

A Brief History of the NATO Strap

The NATO strap emerged from a post-World War II initiative to create a reliable and inexpensive (albeit undistinguished) watch strap that could be easily fixed and replaced by non-watchmakers. The result was the Watch Strap, Wrist Watch, No. 20, or NATO strap, developed by a committee composed of eight NATO countries. The strap was officially adopted in October 1953 and formally changed its name to the NATO strap in 1955. The term NATO strap originated from the fact that NATO is what the watch strap was used for and was officially prescribed by the military organization.

In the U.S., the first use of a NATO strap by military members was in the early 1970s. A popular use of the strap was by members of the Navy during this period due to the military’s requirement that watches sport a strap be used in an amphibious environment. The watch straps issued to men and women in the Navy during this period were made from nylon and were paired with a typically stainless steel watch.

In the 1980s and early 90s, the nylon NATO strap was popularized after jocks favored the straps for wearing watches. The nylon strap was a durable option for sports, including baseball, and the watchmakers cater to this new market segment. In the early 90s, the demand for nylon NATO straps quickly outpaced the demand for leather straps, which resulted in watch manufacturers switching from producing leather straps to nylon straps.

How NATO Straps Work

The NATO watch strap is a single piece of material that goes in the middle of the watch face, between the case’s lugs, comes back around to itself, and secures by way of closure. The strap, along with the closing clasp, keeps the watch in place on your wrist. If one of the lugs were to fail, the watch would still stay in place; it might be harder to take off, though.

Wearing a NATO Strap 

NATO straps are incredibly versatile, meaning you can pair them up with any outfit. Here are some suggestions:

• A low-key outfit composed of your favorite t-shirt and jeans will work with a colorful NATO strap. It may seem like a look that’s thrown together, but the various colors will be the ones to make a statement.
• Just because you’re wearing business casual doesn’t mean it must be boring. If you use a watch with a solid-colored NATO strap, your office attire won’t feel like much of a uniform. It also makes a good accessory when you’re out for happy hour.
• Whether you’re active or just trying to dress the part, the addition of a rubber NATO strap adds a sporty look to your watch. While any watch can do this, a rubber NATO on a dive watch is the perfect look. It pairs well with casual and dressy attire, but the right watch ties it together.

Conclusion

There are many kinds of watch straps that you can get, but you should try getting a NATO strap. Not only is it comfortable to wear, but it will also go well with any outfit.

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