NATO Straps!

I'm starting to notice a lot of people are using NATO straps on their time pieces.

Let's see everyone's NATO straps on their IWC's! Here's my 3717 on a grey/black NATO.

Here is mine

A miniature watch by today's standards.

I am in shock, slide film used in 2013 and medium format at that! Now that's a real challenge! Anyone still use 4x5" or 8x10" care to have a go and photograph their collection or a watch?

Miniature by size only, GREAT by nature.
Lovely picture.

great pics gents. I am looking forward greatly to acquiring a Mark XII RAF and putting a leather NATO on it...

These straps have a significant disadvantage, the case back is treated like polish by the strap in addition of particles of dirt and dust.

I would NEVER use these straps.

Regards

HEBE

Yeah, HEBE is perfectly right!

I recently saw a very nice Inge 666 but when looking at the case back there was an unremovable pattern from an old Nato.

Polish wouldn't help much here, you literally need to grind it away with the material as well...

/Anders

So that's why the world is full of display-back watches! They are NATO strap resistant. Happily, my Mark 11 has the benefit of 61 years of use and the NATO strap is unlikely affect a case back with an appropriate level of patina. Rest assured HEBE, I will not use a NATO strap for my younger watches. A very good point you have made.

I just don't like Nato straps, they make the watches look cheap, pulling them down to the Nato strap level. That they make the back of the watches ugly is just the straw that breaks the camel's back (Google translate: is this really good English?).

Kind regards,
Paul

Looks very nice guys! Keep 'em coming.

These concerns, while legitimate in a civilian watch, are not a factor in the military. The so called NATO strap was conceived for a purpose and is perfect both in form and function.
All my military Mark 11s are in NATO straps or Bonklip bracelet, and I would not have them in any other strap or bracelet.

While I'm not the NATO type, they pair very well with the Pilots. I am just amazed how the perfect dial layout/balance of the 3717 handles so many strap variations. It's like celebrating "Year of the Pilot" with every strap change.

Pilot Chrono's ...a staple for all collections,

Andy

Ralph, I would think a NATO on your new miramar would be a great addition to try!

Completely agree, Antonio.
One additional info, all the w.w.w.s, the IWC aka "Mk10" included, were originally delivered with a canvas, later a leather strap. Though they have been in service such a long period the former straps usually were replaced by NATO ones.

Best

Quite possibly due to its diameter, but great in expression and significance.

Beautiful picture Ralph, congratulations.
I like the shiny blue steel touch the case gets from the blue stuff below.

Best regards

...but Oh so nice!

Thought I'd join in too