Points to Note
- Soak the nato strap into hot water.
- Use hair dryer or clothes dryer to dry your strap.
- Use bleach.
- Use rubbing alcohol (isopropyl alcohol)
- Scrub the strap violently.
In this post
How do you clean a NATO strap?
Steps to Clean a NATO Strap
- Remove your band from the watch and place it in the bowl with a drop or two of soap.
- Let the band soak for a few minutes.
- Use the toothbrush to scrub any built-up dirt off the material.
- Rinse the band and let it air dry on a towel.
Do NATO straps get dirty?
They’re suitable for darn near any everyday scenario, often adding just the right touch of color to an outfit. We’ve gotta admit though, they do get dirty from time to time.
What do you do with the end of a NATO strap?
Apply Fire. Keep the strap end in the key ring or coin sandwich because this is holding the fibers firmly in place. Lightly singe the ends with a flame. Most NATO straps are made of nylon, which can be melted, and singeing the ends of the fibers will stop them from fraying.
Can you get NATO straps wet?
All our nylon (NATO, Perlon, etc.) straps are absolutely waterproof.
Why is it called a NATO strap?
The “NATO” namesake comes from the NSN (NATO Stock Number) used when ordering the strap. The 20mm nylon band was light, breathable, and kept the wearer’s watch from sliding around their wrist. A favorite among the British Special Forces, the strap became an icon of spartan ruggedness and simple reliability.
How do I stop my watch strap from smelling?
Prevent your leather watch band from smelling by placing it in a plastic bag with a few teaspoons of baking soda. The baking soda will soak up excess moisture and any odors. Have it sit in the bag for about half a day or a full day.
How do you condition a nylon strap?
Soak it in fabric softener… maybe a cup in a five gallon bucket of water. Rinse, dry, and reinstall. Also works for dock lines.
Do NATO straps soften?
When you get a new nylon strap, it may take a few days to soften—similar to breaking in a new baseball mitt. Afterwards, you won’t even notice you’re wearing it. If you want to expedite the process, it’s easy to do. Simply wash your strap with a load of clothes topped with fabric softener.
What’s the difference between a NATO and Zulu strap?
Difference between NATO and ZULU straps
ZULU straps are often confused with NATO straps. ZULU strap have only 1 long strap, made of thicker nylon cloth, and has beefy rounded buckles. NATO straps have an additional strap that slides through 2 lugs, in order to have 2 straps of nylon under the watch, instead of one.
Why do NATO straps have two straps?
Many like the classic NATO strap style, but many don’t like the bulky left-over of the longer single piece NATO straps and that it makes their watch sitting (about 2,8 mm) higher on the wrist. That’s why we designed our WB Original two-piece NATO strap.
How tight should my NATO strap be?
The watch should be loose enough that you can slide your index finger underneath the band but not so loose that you can move the index finger around. If you cannot slide your finger underneath the band, the watch is too snug.
Why are NATO straps so popular?
It’s a one-piece strap that slides underneath the case so that the skin never touches metal. It’s great on hot days because the nylon wicks moisture away from the skin. It also means the strap will stay on the wrist even if a spring bar pops out. The real beauty of the NATO is its simplicity.
Can a NATO strap be formal?
Although NATO watch straps will almost always add a bit of casual flare, you could still wear them to your important board meeting or any other formal event. You just have to remember the golden rule: match, match, match.
Why are NATO straps so long?
The straps were purposely designed to be long, so the excess tail of the strap could be doubled back and tucked into the keepers a second time. The beauty in this design is the strap is “one size fits most.” Small to medium-large wrists can tuck back the excess.
Can you wear NATO strap in shower?
Whereas a metal bracelet or a Nato strap (a specific kind of strap made if nylon) can handle water just fine, your leather band won’t. You should never let your leather strap get wet.
Can you dive with a NATO strap?
Besides a bracelet, a NATO strap is the only other strap to be worn on a diver. NEVER, under any circumstances wear a dive watch with a suit.
How much thickness does a NATO strap add?
Since leather, rubber or silicone dive watch straps can be up to 5 mm thick, even a 2 mm NATO webbing can seem thin, so thicker is usually better. There may be NATO straps that are thicker than 2.0 mm, but I haven’t found any. Another big difference comes in the keeper rings.
Are NATO straps durable?
NATO bands are typically made of nylon. They’re not only easy to use but also durable, water resistant, and affordable.
Are NATO straps reliable?
Nylon – The standard material used for a NATO and the original material used by the British Ministry of Defence back in the 70’s. As you can guess by their military connections nylon NATO straps are pretty durable, weatherproof and lightweight.
How does a NATO strap work?
Simply put, a NATO is a pass-through strap made from one piece of material. It passes over the spring bars and under the case, unlike 2-piece straps that are hinged on spring bars between the lugs. Standard NATOs have a fixed metal buckle, 2 ring keepers, and a secondary strap.