Nuts for NATO
By The Prodigal Fool, published on 31 May 2010
Don’t worry dear readers, The Guide isn’t turning into a political commentator. We remain as shallow and flippant as ever. No, the NATO we’re talking about here is not the intergovernmental military alliance but the venerable watch strap of the same name.
To understand why the NATO is front and centre in our thoughts again, you have to get up-to-date on our recent watch acquisitions. You might have read that we recently went looking for a modern Rolex Submariner. What we wanted was an everyday knock-around watch that would be as happy being worn under the sleeve of a blazer than it would lazing on some far-flung beach. But, following our own watch-buying rules, we also wanted something that was classic and historic. Conclusion? In the end it was an easy choice: the current generation no-date Submariner fits the bill best. In our view at least, the 14060M Submariner is the closest in looks and sprit to the classic Submariner as sported by the world’s most famous spy. The absence of the date mechanism and its associated bubble give this watch a simplicity and elegance that is very appealing.
As they all too often do, the guys at The Swiss Watch Company came up trumps. After spending a glorious couple of hours viewing dozens of Subs – from vintage models like the 5513 to their modern-day equivalent the 14060M – and chatting Rolex with Tim and Alex, we emerged grasping a gorgeous 14060M in 10/10 condition with box, Rolex anchor and all its original papers.
But our real job was only just beginning.
You see, we’re happy to say that the Prodigal watch box already contains a few modern Rolex sports models with Oyster bracelets and so our plan was always to differentiate this Submariner by ‘funking’ it up a little. How? Why by fitting a selection of crazy NATO straps of course.
The NATO has its feet firmly grounded in military history. It’s supposed to be a serious and functional strap with only a passing regard for aesthetics. The strap that collectors today call the ‘NATO’ is based on the standard watch strap issued by the British Ministry of Defence. Called the ‘G10′ by members of the British military because of the form used to requisition the strap (and other items) from inventory, the reason it got its ‘NATO’ name is because the strap has a NSN or NATO stock number which identifies this type of strap. The real military spec strap comes in only one colour (admiralty grey, in case you were wondering) and one width (20mm). Luckily for us, the watch world is full of enterprising companies that have taken the NATO theme and run with it. Result? If you’re looking for a cool strap to spice up the look of your Sub, there are plenty – too many – to choose from.
After scouring the interwebs, giddy as a school girl and wallet in hand, we ended up in Singapore of all places, at the hallowed doors of Gnomon Watches. These guys have simply the best-looking collection of German and Swiss-sourced NATOs we could find in the short time that our excitement afforded us before we had to place an order. Which did we choose? Well, decisions have never been our forte. We ordered half a dozen (at these prices, why the Hell not!?).
Yes, no doubt about it, we’re nuts for NATO right now…
Be Prodigal
Will they be any good when they actually arrive? (Will they actually arrive!?) Which one will end up spending the most time on our Sub? Keep reading; we’ll be reporting back soon. In the meantime, we’ve put photos of each of the straps we ordered in the gallery below. Which one do you prefer?
Nuts for NATO
Don’t worry dear readers, The Guide isn’t turning into a political commentator. We remain as shallow and flippant as ever. No, the NATO we’re talking about here is not the intergovernmental military alliance but the venerable watch strap of the same name. To understand why the NATO is front and centre in our thoughts again, you [...]
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12 Responses to “Nuts for NATO”
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Dog collars. Now there’s an idea… You think that would work!?
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Patito
1 June 2010
Gorgeous! Love the orange. When will I get to see this new purchase?
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When / if they ever arrive from Singapore…
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Straight-Six
1 June 2010
Dog collars?! HAHAHAHA! Yeah, I can get that…
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Sharp, I love those.
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28 June 2010
[...] remember a while back we purchased a bunch of NATO straps for our new 14060M Submariner. Well, they arrived. And for the best part of a week we stared at [...]
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Stuart
13 August 2010
I’ve just ordered some for my shiny new 14060M (got one before they’re all gone). I am ridiculously excited about some strips of coloured nylon.
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You won’t regret it Stuart. I love mine. They suit the 14060M so well and are such an easy way to change the look of the watch in seconds depending on your mood or what you’re wearing.
And congratulations on the Sub. I’m biased of course because I bought the same but I really think it’s a future classic. It’s as close as you can get with a new model to the vintage Subs like 5513 that command crazy prices.
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Stuart
13 August 2010
You bet. The old-style Sea Dweller is already starting to prove the price point. Buying new was on a par, or slightly better than nice vintage, especially as I live in a region of unreliable supply. I’m thinking of it as pre-vintage.
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Boris
5 November 2011
Here’s something slightly different: a NATO in Cordovan, which I fitted to my 5512.
A remarkable leather. Thought this would be the kind of strap some might like here on TPG.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v292/flanker2000fr/5512Cordovan003.jpg
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Love that 5512, Boris. It looks damn near perfect.
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Al Aftoora
31 May 2010
Are you sure you didn’t order dog collars by mistake? When I hunted waterfowl, my Labs all had the same kind of collars: visible, utilitarian, waterproof, and utterly replaceable.
Al Aftoora