Comments on: NATO vs. Zulu Straps—What’s the Difference?

By: Richard

Richard — Wed, 31 Dec 2025 04:43:19 +0000

I actually prefer NATO straps over any other type of watch strap. When I buy a watch that comes on a stainless steel bracelet the first thing I do is remove the bracelet and use a NATO strap. If I am going out somewhere that I need to dress nicely then I will put the stainless steel bracelet back on. For a while I had way more NATO straps than watches.

By: Piotr

Piotr — Mon, 30 Dec 2024 15:09:44 +0000

But you know that, you are able to put on the NATO strap different way, so that’s only one layer under watch and two layers on the other size, right?
That has changed my world!

By: Martin Syrovatka

Martin Syrovatka — Sun, 27 Oct 2024 21:03:01 +0000

In reply to Dzaenal. I prefer single pass also.

By: Dzaenal

Dzaenal — Wed, 23 Oct 2024 13:02:06 +0000

In reply to Stephen Nyberg. I get it now. Nato double strap, zulu single strap. I use the double strap model for my g shock watch. It doesn't fit. The watch is lifted too high. The single strap is more comfortable…...

By: Kevin Glen Roy Greer

Kevin Glen Roy Greer — Sun, 14 Apr 2024 12:25:22 +0000

There are three advantages of the Zulu over the NATO, that I’m aware of.

1. Since the strap is locked into place by the double rings, it transfers the stress through the bottom strap, away from the top strap where the watch is held. This puts less stress on the spring bars, making them less likely to come out.

2. Since the strap is locked into place by the double rings, you can adjust the location slightly to accomodate in-between fits. If one whole is too small but the next one is too large, you can adjust the strap lock position to get the perfect fit.

3. Some watches, in particular, larger dive watches, have uncomfortable bottom edges which make them uncomfortable to wear. Again, by adjusting the location where the strap is locked into place, you can add a little slack to the top strap, brining the watch up off your wrist, thus making for a more comfortable to wear.

There are, in my opinion, two advantages of NATO over Zulu:

1. For some watches (excluding #3 above), the NATO is more comfortable.

2. The NATO is more attractive.

By: twistedchildturnsmadmonk

twistedchildturnsmadmonk — Sat, 17 Jun 2023 06:37:37 +0000

In reply to Frederick F-35 pilot.

Wear a two piece strap and cry when your watch gets caught in something and you lose the whole thing, you lose a lug in a two piece and your watch falls… Yup, two piece straps are good for couch potatoes… But a NATO will keep your watch attached when one lug breaks cause you got caught in something. Rarely will two lugs give at the same time… So for active guys like me NATO for the win…

By: Jack

Jack — Sun, 02 Apr 2023 17:14:06 +0000

In reply to Karl M. By "US phonetic alphabet" you of course mean the NATO phonetic alphabet (ironic, hey?) established by the INTERNATIONAL Civil Aviation Organization?

By: Hector Monclova

Hector Monclova — Wed, 09 Nov 2022 22:36:35 +0000

There is here a misconception that only G10s (NATOs) have the additional layer. Thought it was originally a contribution of the G10, it was also adopted by the Zulu type strap (sometimes it have them, sometimes not), reducing the difference to the buckles and keepers (also that the Zulu is usually longer). I have also seen Zulus with four rings (buckle included) instead of five.

By: Adam

Adam — Fri, 10 Jun 2022 22:30:14 +0000

In reply to Stephen Nyberg. Absolutely correct!

By: Frederick F-35 pilot

Frederick F-35 pilot — Thu, 09 Jun 2022 07:43:25 +0000

NATO — and / or Zulu straps to me are the same type of annoying straps, save the two-piece ones, because thën one can wear a non-annoying and 100% non-sliding and nórmal feeling watchband, without being rattled by the thin nylon / resin material.