The Nato watch strap (formerly known as the G10 band) has origins dating back to World War II. The British Ministry of Defence wanted their soldiers to wear timepieces made from military-grade materials. Equipped with a heavy-duty nylon material and a width of 20mm, the Nato watch strap came to be.
This watch strap evolved over time while keeping its vintage aesthetics intact to make it a popular choice among many wristwatch enthusiasts. So if you're on the fence about upgrading your watch with the Nato strap, here are four reasons why you should consider upgrading your timepiece with this accessory.
Fits Different Fashion Ensembles
Whether you’re in super casual attire or trendy business casual clothing, the Nato watch strap can fit just about any fashion ensemble.
The watch strap’s traditional yet stylish-looking nylon material can complement various clothing combinations. For example, use 22m nato straps available at natostrapstore.com with a suit or formal attire to flaunt that “James Bond” aesthetic. Rock a blue and white Nato watch strap with a sophisticated-looking tux, and you’ve got a mixture of accessory and clothing that blends comfort and sophistication.
The reason for this watch strap’s excellent flexibility is its width. Nato watch straps don't taper, unlike other formal wristwatches. Thus, formal watches with leather straps may look more casual than those with Nato wristwatch straps.
2. A Practical Choice
Do you have different watches to use for various occasions? Do you want to experiment with different watch styles but don’t want to spend a fortune on buying a new wristwatch? If so, then consider buying various Nato watch straps instead.
Nato straps are both practical and versatile for watch enthusiasts with budget constraints. The durable yet easy-to-care nylon material can complement different watch faces. Hence, if you want your casual wristwatch to look formal, switch its current watch strap with a Nato one. If your husband, boyfriend, or brother is a watch enthusiast, a Nato watch strap can be a great gift for him.
Choose from several design choices, such as:
Classic Racing Stripes
Vintage James Bond
Deep Blue
Military Green
Black and Cream
Experiment with different Nato straps and upgrade your wristwatch from a conventional-looking timepiece to a stylish accessory. Moreover, if you’re on a tight budget, consider buying one Nato watch strap first. You can mix and match different watch faces with that one strap for various style choices without breaking the bank.
3. Fits Different Watch Faces
As mentioned above, you can outfit different watch faces with Nato straps. Some examples include:
Timex Weekender
Gelfand & Co.
Seiko’s RECRAFT Series
Daniel Wellington
Even if you’re sporting a $200 watch, outfitting that luxurious timepiece with a Nato strap won’t diminish its premium allure. For instance, you may have a Daniel Wellington Classic Glasgow watch with a leather strap. Consider replacing the leather material with one of Nato’s nylon options for a more casual look, if you desire.
Thus, Nato straps are ideal for wristwatch enthusiasts and for people who stick to owning one watch. You may even outfit a fitness tracker with one of the many Nato straps available on the market.
4. Easy to Clean and Maintain
You may be thinking of buying an expensive watch strap to go with your premium watch face. But many expensive straps are tough to clean and maintain. You may also have to pay money to professional watch cleaning services for cleaning these accessories.
On the other hand, the Nato watch strap is easy to clean and maintain. Think of the nylon material as a polyester sport shirt. Note that the Nato strap dries fast, which means you can wash it with standard cleaning detergent, set it out to dry for about an hour, and wear it without paying for watch cleaning services.
Bear in mind that some Nato watch straps feel stiff upon purchase. But the material becomes softer with use. However, the time after which the strap softens may depend on the thickness of the material. 1.2mm-thick straps may soften after a day's use, whereas 1.4mm-thick models tend to take more time before the stiffness dissipates.
Also, since these watch straps dry quickly, these accessories are ideal choices for different outdoor or sports activities. Note that the watch face doesn't become waterproof when equipped with the Nato strap. Always consult with the watch manufacturer whether you can dip your watch in water before taking it with you in baths, showers, or swimming pools.
Conclusion
The Nato watch strap is a practical and stylish choice for upgrading wristwatches without spending a fortune. Wristwatch enthusiasts with different budget constraints can reap the many benefits of this wonderful accessory. Take the time to choose the right Nato strap, and you can increase your style points with this seemingly simple upgrade.
