NATO Watch bands

[hurley842002]

Thinking about replacing the current watch band on my Gear S3, and looking heavily at the NATO style bands, due to cost and color options. I'm sure several folks around here have some good experience with them. My main question is how are they with sweat? Like at the gym working out sweat? They seem to be easy to clean, and showering with it would likely be enough to keep the "funk" away, but I assume nothing will be as resistant as the rubber band that is currently on the watch. What say you? Yay or Nay?

This is what I'm looking at:

https://www.clockworksynergy.com/shop/product-category/nato-straps/heavy-nato-2-piece/

[theGinsue]

Never heard of them. While I'm capable of using my Google-fu to research them, I'm sure that providing a link would be appreciated by the masses.

[blacklabel]

I've used a variety of Nato bands with a couple of watches and usually just toss them once they get too nasty but being nylon, I'm sure they'd wash up well. Find a cheap one on Amazon and see what you think.

[hurley842002]

Never heard of them. While I'm capable of using my Google-fu to research them, I'm sure that providing a link would be appreciated by the masses.

Good idea! Original post updated with link to the product I'm looking at.

[KevDen2005]

I have one and had no idea they are were called NATO bands. I have a black one on my work watch that I have had on there for at least 6 or 7 years. I like the band. It keeps my watch on and it looks cool.

[blacklabel]

I'd recommend a single piece strap versus the two piece. If you lose a spring on one side, you won't lose the watch with a single piece strap. They're also much easier to install.

https://www.amazon.com/INFANTRY-Canvas-Replacement-Interchangeable-Brushed/dp/B00B23NIDK/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1489257738&sr=8-2&keywords=nato+watch+strap

[hurley842002]

I'd recommend a single piece strap versus the two piece. If you lose a spring on one side, you won't lose the watch with a single piece strap. They're also much easier to install.

https://www.amazon.com/INFANTRY-Canvas-Replacement-Interchangeable-Brushed/dp/B00B23NIDK/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1489257738&sr=8-2&keywords=nato+watch+strap

I would prefer the single piece, but it would cover the sensor on the back of the watch, eliminating the heart rate and security feature of the watch.

[SideShow Bob]

Just use a soft nail brush & mild hand soap to clean the dead skin, dirt and body oils off the bands. The nylon doesn't rot like natural fibers do.

[blacklabel]

I would prefer the single piece, but it would cover the sensor on the back of the watch, eliminating the heart rate and security feature of the watch.

Ahh, I didn't think about the implications with a smart watch.

[Irving]

I had a nylon watch for running before all the apps came out. Once it got funky from sweat I took the band off, soaked it in bleach over night, dried it off and it was good to go after that. Never got funky again either.

[Madeinhb]

They are all I use. https://natostrapco.com/

[Irving]

I assume you already know that countycomm sells watch bands. I don't know anything about watches so I don't know if they are any good or not. Here is the link: https://countycomm.com/collections/watch-bands
Sorry in advance if they are crap.

[hollohas]

I'd like a new band for mine too but they all seem to be a constant width. In other words, I want a band that gets wider near the watch itself.

I'd like a one piece metal link band, like this

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170312/912dbeddca89966d54790f041d650884.jpg

but all I've seen look weird because they are so narrow where they attached to the watch. Like this.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170312/52d2aa8572e05c595787a48753f0278d.jpg

I like bands that are the same width as the two "wings" on the watch where it attaches to. Any ideas?

Here's one from another watch I have that the band gets wider to match the watch. But alas, it's not the right size for the S3.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170312/b25899ebb386b4e5ef9b473e524ffe0d.jpg

[Spdu4ia]

NATO bands are great, when mine get funky I just throw them in the washing machine with the clothes and air dry .

@hollohas you need to look into "notched" straps that will give you the fat look at the lugs that tapper to the buckle. Here is an example of a notched strap I had

https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8240/8573509324_5a67f6af17_h_d.jpg

[hollohas]

@hollohas you need to look into "notched" straps that will give you the fat look at the lugs that tapper to the buckle. Here is an example of a notched strap I had

Thanks. I didn't know even how to describe it or what words to google. This helps!

[hatidua]

The NATO straps put more stress/leverage on the springbars than a more fitted strap/bracelet. Having lost a rather spendy watch in deeper water that I could get to the bottom in, I'm not about to try a NATO on my current watch but YMMV.

[Spdu4ia]

The idea is that if a springvar breaks you don't lose the watch since a single strap runs through two. Did you break both springbars when you lost it!?

[hatidua]

The idea is that if a springvar breaks you don't lose the watch since a single strap runs through two. Did you break both springbars when you lost it!?

No, it was one that individually connected to each springbar. What I should have (more accurately) said is that flexible bands that are not precisely the width of the lugs put more pressure on the springbars than a rigid band that is exactly the width of the lugs. It's just a matter of leverage at that point, much like the lock on our front doors, if the gap was 6" when the door was closed, it'd be pretty easy to push the door open but with no gap, it's quite sturdy. If a person reall wants to go with a NATO strap, I'd certainly opt to upgrade the springbars to the HD ones that are available.

For a very short while I experimented with various non-factory bands on my 1983 submariner. The watchmaker I use for service strongly advised against it if I really wanted to keep the watch longterm saying he knew of several clients that lost a watch from springbar failure with flexible straps. In light of having it for the past 34 years, I went back to the steel band and will attempt to keep it bit longer. There is a very nifty dive watch somewhere about 15 miles from the main dock in Thousand Islands in the Philippines if anyone wants a treasure hunt though [facepalm]

I tried a NATO strap for a brief spell 20 some years ago and the other springbar does indeed "capture" a flailing watch - which did eventually happen. Neat straps in a vintage Bond movie I guess.

[Ah Pook]

I thought NATO bands were one piece straps. Most all my watches are too narrow. Then again, most are 50+ years old. I have one NATO strap on a '68 Caravel but it doesn't quite fit to my wrist. Nice for hot tubs. Most all the daily drivers are spring loaded metal bands.

[Fmedges]

I used to run nato bands whenever I could get one that fit correctly. Right now the watch I wear came with a band that I really like so I haven't made the switch to a nato band, but I have nothing bad to say about them. I only used the one piece and I think they are easy to maintain, comfortable and affordable.