I traded for a NATO strap from a sailor in the Royal Navy 40 years ago! Was very impressed, but after it wore out, I couldn't find them.now I know where to look, thanks.
I really cant wait until you get your grimsmo rask! I really look forward for your opinion because I just ordered mine with damasteel blade and clip! You better feel guilty, i wouldnt know john grimsmo at all without your awesome reviews!
Not sure if this was mentioned but you can get closer to the main strap portion without melting it by insulating it with a knife blade placed between it and the heat source ... if you know anyone who carries a knife.
I did exactly the same (used scissors and a soldering iron) to an almost identical plain black nato on which a black-dialed, black-bezeled, diver with a red-tipped seconds hand is sitting (Casio MDV-106). I found all the coincidences amusing. Great taste, and great technique!
I also shorten the strap considerably (to about 5mm beyond the last hole, using a careful curved cut) and remove (by cutting nylon again) keeper #2 ... the one further from the buckle. I then carefully pick-out the stitching-barrier between the remaining keeper and the buckle ... allowing the keeper to move closer to the buckle. Very clean and basic and minimalist ... :)
The keeper on nato straps is for pilots. In the event of cold temperatures or fires there is no piece of metal touching the skin to cause burns from your watch
No that's not right. The double part with Keeper is for preventing the watch head falling off either way when watch is off wrist AND to reduce tension between springbars on the first layer.
Man... I'm thinking of doing exactly this but I'm afraid to do so being that the NATO strap I have is from Omega... I suppose I'll wait a few more months before going through with it
Why would you want to remove it? I don't get it. 1. Either get a Zulu or a Perlon strap 2. That keeper is there to keep the spring bars protected from sweat so that it doesn't rust in the long run.
Real purpose of a NATO strap is to allow it to be worn over wetsuits, flight suits, pressure suits, parkas and still be able to be worn only the wrist by folding the extra bit of strap. Really good metal dive watch bracelets also have this "extender" features
I fail to see how the nato extra strap allows it to be worn over wetsuits. No matter how you fold it the buckle is always the same distance from the buckle holes. It's not like the extra strap has its own buckle.
Nick, I really wish you would stop wearing that citizen bl1258 in your videos. I have been fighting off the intense urge to purchase one of those for the last 6months and you are not helping. It also doesn't help that it looks great with that black NATO band.
1. Maybe you already have a bunch of Nato straps (like I do) and you’d like to modify them. 2. In my experience it is much easier to find Nato straps. There are many options of Amazon where you get 4 Nato straps for about the same price as 1 Zulu strap (which is why I have so many Nato straps). Thanks Nick 👍🏻
This is one of those times when overthinking things makes for a worse result. Have no clue why would you do that to a NATO strap making it structurally weaker but hey if it works for you that's 👍🏽
"Kids, always ask your parents before you light yourselves on fire." Oh, the wisdom I glean from this channel.
cloudcleaver23 lol funniest quote of the day
😅
I feel like the dry humor here is incredibly under rated. Regardless - thanks - here's something for the algorithm!
Dude, I think you just resurrected the two nato straps that have been sitting in the back of my drawer for years.
Great tip. I like how this will make the watch sit lower on the wrist. I usually wear dive watches, so every millimeter of height I can save is good.
I traded for a NATO strap from a sailor in the Royal Navy 40 years ago! Was very impressed, but after it wore out, I couldn't find them.now I know where to look, thanks.
I love these styles of watch bands they usually look good but feel amazing
I really cant wait until you get your grimsmo rask! I really look forward for your opinion because
I just ordered mine with damasteel blade and clip!
You better feel guilty, i wouldnt know john grimsmo at all without your awesome reviews!
You should voice-over cartoons dude!! xD
Not sure if this was mentioned but you can get closer to the main strap portion without melting it by insulating it with a knife blade placed between it and the heat source ... if you know anyone who carries a knife.
I did exactly the same (used scissors and a soldering iron) to an almost identical plain black nato on which a black-dialed, black-bezeled, diver with a red-tipped seconds hand is sitting (Casio MDV-106). I found all the coincidences amusing. Great taste, and great technique!
set myself on fire. parents pissed
Damnit how many times do I have to tell you people...
Instructions unclear.
Soviet Union troops now loitering in my yard. Please help.
I also shorten the strap considerably (to about 5mm beyond the last hole, using a careful curved cut) and remove (by cutting nylon again) keeper #2 ... the one further from the buckle. I then carefully pick-out the stitching-barrier between the remaining keeper and the buckle ... allowing the keeper to move closer to the buckle. Very clean and basic and minimalist ... :)
I just did this then was like oh shit I screwed up. So I looked up this vid to reassure myself lmao.
The keeper on nato straps is for pilots. In the event of cold temperatures or fires there is no piece of metal touching the skin to cause burns from your watch
T Sims the nylon strap will protect one’s wrist from fire? Ha ha. Nylon melts super easy.
No that's not right. The double part with Keeper is for preventing the watch head falling off either way when watch is off wrist AND to reduce tension between springbars on the first layer.
Very useful tip! Thanks Nick.
Man... I'm thinking of doing exactly this but I'm afraid to do so being that the NATO strap I have is from Omega... I suppose I'll wait a few more months before going through with it
1:24 for the beginning of the how-to
are you the voice actor from the inspector gadget? and by the way i did this to my nato 😊😊
Why would you want to remove it? I don't get it.
1. Either get a Zulu or a Perlon strap
2. That keeper is there to keep the spring bars protected from sweat so that it doesn't rust in the long run.
great little tip Nick
love your videos
I'd love to see you review the Spyderco Caly 3.5 in ZDP. nice Video btw, as always :)
Thanks just did this to my Zulu strap worked great !
lel
Is putting a NATO on a Vostok akin to installing Japanese tires on a Corvette?
Use SAK scissors. Smaller and able to cut the fabric closer. No need to caterize👍
Hay Nick great video I. the nato strap quick question what size is the strap!!!
That's a 22mm strap.
Thank you
I hate keepers they add bulk .
I did the exact thing with mine as soon as I got it
Where do you get your NATO and zulu straps?
+Hayden Nininger I've got some reviews coming up soon.
Real purpose of a NATO strap is to allow it to be worn over wetsuits, flight suits, pressure suits, parkas and still be able to be worn only the wrist by folding the extra bit of strap. Really good metal dive watch bracelets also have this "extender" features
I fail to see how the nato extra strap allows it to be worn over wetsuits. No matter how you fold it the buckle is always the same distance from the buckle holes. It's not like the extra strap has its own buckle.
Hey nick! What model citizen is this?
+taylor holland Citizen Perpetual Diver. Full review is up!
Nick Shabazz It's a very nice watch, enjoy!
It really is. A gem.
I like the Zulu style better also.
A perlon strap will save you time from needing to do this and will also save you from having an ugly bulge of strap on the side of your wrist.
So disappointed he didn't cut the nato with an Ontario rat 2.
Nick, I really wish you would stop wearing that citizen bl1258 in your videos. I have been fighting off the intense urge to purchase one of those for the last 6months and you are not helping. It also doesn't help that it looks great with that black NATO band.
Hah. Mine is going up on Patreon shortly for sale. The Omega has won.
did u just make a zulu strap out of a nato strap ?
Another idea is: Buy a Zulu strap instead and you're all done.
What to slaughter a NATO strap when you can buy a strap ZULU?
ZULU straps have larger, heavier hardware and are often thicker.
And is bad or good? (to have a more robust strap)
Your slaughtered strap is now less secure or more fragile than the original.
Sure is more ugly! :)
Plus, zulu color choices are much more limited than natos.. I can’t find zulus in all my nato patterns and colors.. so off with the keeper! Thxs Nick
1. Maybe you already have a bunch of Nato straps (like I do) and you’d like to modify them.
2. In my experience it is much easier to find Nato straps. There are many options of Amazon where you get 4 Nato straps for about the same price as 1 Zulu strap (which is why I have so many Nato straps).
Thanks Nick 👍🏻
Soviet Union is Kaput, It's Mother Russia now.
This is one of those times when overthinking things makes for a worse result. Have no clue why would you do that to a NATO strap making it structurally weaker but hey if it works for you that's 👍🏽
I don't see how it makes it "structurally weaker". It certainly makes for a neater strap having the buckle on the bottom.
Interesting accent 🙂