Whether you’re a soldier, a police officer, or someone who just enjoys being active outdoors, nato strap watches are a solid choice for anyone that needs a durable watch. Made of woven nylon, NATO straps can easily handle dirt, mud, and water. They can even be put in the washing machine if necessary, which is a pretty cool feature for any watch that’s going to see some rough treatment.

For the uninitiated, a nato strap watch is a pass-through nylon strap that connects to a fixed metal buckle and two rings attached to the watch case. The strap can then be passed through these keeper bars to secure it around the wearer’s wrist. It’s easy to see why these straps are such a popular option for tactical soldiers, law enforcement officers, firefighters, and rock climbers, all of whom need a sturdy and reliable watch.

Top Watches That Pair Perfectly with NATO Straps

Purists will argue that only straps meeting the specifications laid out in 1973 British Ministry of Defense Standard 66-15 are legit NATOs. These are known as G10 straps and usually come in the Admiralty Grey color that has given rise to the NATO name. They have a slightly denser weave than most other NATO straps and use stitching instead of heat welds for the hardware.

While these NATOs are excellent, they’re a bit pricey for the casual watcher. The Phenomenato is a much better option for those looking to get the Omega experience at a fraction of the cost. Their fabric is a little bit softer and their hardware is more polished, but the only drawback to these straps is that the inner keeper can sometimes press against the wrist over long wear sessions, which can cause irritation.

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