Collection: NATO Watch Straps

NATO Watch Straps - British Military Tradition Meets Modern Style And Taste

NATO watch straps are the essential "go-to" watch accessory - stylish, strong and comfy. Originally developed by the British Ministry of Defence in 1973, The NATO (or G10) strap was designed to provide soldiers with a sturdy watch strap to house their watch during battle. With its origins still in mind, nowadays these classic watch straps act as a comfortable and secure watch accessory – a real favourite amongst watch wearers.

Browse our store now to find the perfect fit for your wrist. We stock NATO straps in four widths: every style comes as a 20mm NATO strap and a 22mm NATO strap, about a third also come as 18mm NATO straps, and a few are made as 16mm NATO straps for smaller watches. Don’t forget that we offer a 10% discount to all new customers when you buy any of our watch straps for sale. 

NATO Straps UK: Why Buy A NATO Watch Strap?

There are many reasons to choose this style, including: 

• Durability: NATO straps are made of tough materials that can withstand wear and tear, water, and dirt. They are also easy to clean and maintain, unlike some leather or metal straps.
• Versatility: NATO bands come in a variety of colours, patterns, and sizes, so you can easily find one that suits your style and personality. You can also swap them in seconds, without any tools, and change the look of your watch whenever you want.
• Comfort: The best NATO straps are lightweight, breathable, and adjustable, so they fit snugly and comfortably on your wrist. They also prevent the metal case of your watch from touching your skin, which can cause irritation or allergies for some people.
• Affordability: NATO straps are one of the most affordable watch straps on the market, so you can get more than one and have fun mixing and matching them with your watch collection.

If you want to learn more about what makes NATO straps such great options, check out our article here - the advantages of a NATO watch strap.

FAQs On The NATO Watch Strap Range 

What does NATO mean in watch strap?

NATO refers to a style of watch strap that was originally developed for the British Ministry of Defence (MOD) in the 1970s. The name comes from the NATO Stock Number (NSN) used to identify all standardised material items of supply for ordering purposes.

What is the difference between NATO and Zulu watch straps? 

A NATO strap is a double pass strap in thinner, lighter nylon, with flat, square-edged buckles and keepers. Zulu watch straps use thicker nylon material with heavier, rounded buckles and rings, so they look chunkier on the wrist. Both thread under the watch and fit most watches with spring bars.

What NATO strap did James Bond wear?

James Bond famously wore a Rolex Submariner in Goldfinger (1964), accompanied with a navy blue, olive green, and red-striped NATO watch strap replacement. But… it wasn’t technically a NATO watch band, as they were not officially introduced until 1973. However, it was almost identical to some of the best NATO straps we have for sale in our UK webstore. Here are more Bond-inspired NATO straps.

Can I use a NATO strap on any watch?  

When you buy NATO watch straps, you do so for many reasons including their versatility. They can fit almost all watches as a replacement, providing the watch uses spring bars and has enough space between the lugs. 

Are NATO straps classy?

If our premium NATO watch straps were good enough for James Bond while he wore a tuxedo and ordered a Vesper Martini, then they should be classy enough to suit any occasion. While NATO bands do have a rugged and utilitarian look, they are stylish enough for formal wear and not just for casual occasions. 

Do Rolex make NATO straps?

Rolex do not make NATO straps. However, our NATO style watch straps will often pair with some vintage Rolexes, but please do check first before ordering. 

How long does a NATO strap last?

Our replacement NATO watch straps are built to last. Their durability will depend on how frequently it’s exposed to water, sun, and physical stress. But there’s no reason why your band won’t last for several years to come.

What size NATO strap do I need?

Match the strap to your watch's lug width: the gap between the lugs where the strap fits, usually 18mm, 20mm or 22mm. You'll often find it engraved on the back of your old strap or listed in the watch's specs, or you can measure it with a ruler. Smaller watches, including many ladies' and vintage pieces, often take 16mm or 18mm. Length isn't a worry: the spare strap tucks back on itself through the keepers for a tidier finish.

Are NATO straps waterproof?

Nylon doesn't mind water, so a NATO strap is a good choice for swimming, the beach or the gym, as long as your watch is water resistant too. Rinse it in fresh water after the sea or a chlorinated pool and let it dry flat.

What is the cheapest NATO strap you sell?

Our classic G10 NATO straps start at £10.79, and nothing in the range costs more than £14.99. Delivery is free on all UK orders, and with our multi-buy discount you can take up to 20% off when you buy four or more straps, so building a few colours to swap between doesn't cost much at all.

How do I fit a NATO strap?

Thread the long end under the watch, between both of the spring bars, then back through the keeper on the shorter end of the strap, buckle it, and tuck the spare length through the keepers. It takes about a minute and requires no tools. Our step-by-step guide on how to install a NATO watch strap also has more detailed instructions and pictures.

About Us

The Thrifty Gentleman was founded back in 2021 by a fellow lover of watches. What we set out to do was create an online business that gave customers access to the same great affordable watch straps that we wanted to wear ourselves.

And what did we want from our watch strap business? Great quality watch straps. Loads of variety and choice. Super prices. And a fantastic customer experience. So, that's what we set out to create.

You're here checking out our great selection of NATO straps, but in addition to these great nylon straps we also have a range of classic leather, sporty silicone and rubber and stylish metal options too. Whatever it is you're looking for, you'll find that and more here at The Thrifty Gentleman.

Do we sell cheap NATO straps? Yes, we do. But definitely not at the expense of quality - our 4.8 out of 5 rating across 2,500+ reviews proves that!

If You Like Our NATO Watch Straps, You Might Also Like

The Thrifty Gentleman is your one-stop shop for any style or type of replacement strap. If you like this style, you will also likely want to check out the following ranges:

Military style watch straps

Zulu watch straps

Perlon watch straps

Marine Nationale watch straps