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TimeTechTalk.com > Time Tech Talk > Straps and Watch Accessories > What I've learned about NATO straps... |
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TimeTechTalk.com > Time Tech Talk > Straps and Watch Accessories > What I've learned about NATO straps... |
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| What I've learned about NATO straps... | Rating: 
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| Posted: Sat Feb 20th, 2010 11:23 am |
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1st Post |
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steve11 3T WIS
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I wanted to share my experiences with NATO straps to hopefully help others. I'm relatively new to watches and was looking for a weekend watch. I decided to purchase a Lum-Tec Combat B3 which comes with what's advertised as NATO straps. So I didn't know the first thing about NATO (or Zulu) straps until getting this watch. When I first put it on, I noticed that the strap was too long. Thinking the right thing to do was to size it so the strap didn't loop back, I cut the strap to fit. BIG MISTAKE for a couple reasons: - first was that the end frayed. I ended up going to a craft store to purchase some sewing glue that is made to hold material together. That worked but it also discolored the strap. So then I looked into dyes. The folks at the craft store noticed that the material is a polyester blend - which doesn't dye after manufactured. I ended up using a sharpie to try to blend the color. (my wife really loved making fun of me through this process). - the second mistake was that I later realized I liked how the strap looked when it looped over on the end... So I then started looking to buy straps. I got hooked and bought about five - from three different places and different colors. While they are ok, I never could find a strap of the same quality as that came with the original Lum-Tec. They were all too thin. From what I can tell - and I'm far from an authority on this - NATO straps have less substantial rings and are made from a thinner material than ZULU straps. Now the strange thing is that what Lum-Tec calls a NATO strap sure seems to be a ZULU strap from what I saw from other straps - and the Lum-Tec strap is definitely the best I've found in the market. I hope this helps others. Steve
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| Posted: Sat Feb 20th, 2010 11:32 am |
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2nd Post |
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bigrustypig 3T WIS 
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Thanks, Steve11hand6.gif. What I do with my zulus is NOT to play around with their lengths at all  . I have small wrists at just 6.75 inches and somehow, even if I fold them over (or under) the keepers, the fold makes the entire rig look even better.I stay away from Natos because I find them too thin and although the keepers are strong, I just think they'd look better if they were made "fatter".
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| Posted: Sat Feb 20th, 2010 06:22 pm |
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3rd Post |
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Nabco 3T WIS 
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I'm not a fan of Nato's or Zulu's  I have several and have tried them on different watches...personally I don't like the way they look
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| Posted: Sun Feb 21st, 2010 01:29 am |
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4th Post |
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murphy j 3T WIS 
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I Love the look of Nato style straps. That portion that is fold over just adds to the character for me.
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| Posted: Sun Feb 21st, 2010 03:30 am |
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5th Post |
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natevan70 3T WIS 
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I'm fairly skinny wristed , at 6 7/8 and I've shortened a few Nato/Zulu straps. I clamp the end of the strap between two appropriatetly sized coins; and then cut the excess off with an Exacto knife. Before un-clamping I seal the ends with the flame of a lighter. It gives a smooth edge and eliminates excessive fold-over. Last edited on Sun Feb 21st, 2010 03:32 am by natevan70 |
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