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TimeTechTalk.com > Time Tech Talk > Straps and Watch Accessories > Please offer some advice/tips on ordering Nato and Zulu straps |
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TimeTechTalk.com > Time Tech Talk > Straps and Watch Accessories > Please offer some advice/tips on ordering Nato and Zulu straps |
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| Please offer some advice/tips on ordering Nato and Zulu straps | Rating: 
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| Posted: Thu Sep 10th, 2009 10:16 pm |
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1st Post |
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stew77 Admin 
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There is some good reference information here on 3T as to WHERE to buy great quality Nato and Zulu straps. I have never owned one or had the opportunity to strap one to one of my watches, but I want to order a few. Please offer some advice - I've seen at least a few of you squeeze a nice soft, comfy leather strap of say 24mm into 22mm lugs. Do you veterans recommend buying a size-up for Nato and Zulu type straps (as I assume they are quite flexible) or do you generally buy to the exact measurement of the lug dimension? I definitely do not want to see spring/lug bars exposed due to "lack of coverage" on any of my straps. Anything else I should be aware of when ordering? Thanks for the help.
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| Posted: Thu Sep 10th, 2009 10:28 pm |
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2nd Post |
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oagaspar Site Founder 
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I just order my Zulu/NATO straps true to the size needed as they give a generous amount of material imo....e-mail Howard at http://www.westcoastime.com/ and let him know you are a 3T member....Howard is the oldest web dealer... well known WIS and friend of 3T....he will take great care of you!hand6.gif
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| Posted: Thu Sep 10th, 2009 10:35 pm |
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3rd Post |
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aredman 3T WIS 
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Hey Stew77, let me know how that transaction goes. I have been looking to d the same but just have not pulled the trigger.
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| Posted: Thu Sep 10th, 2009 11:45 pm |
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4th Post |
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zippofan 3T WIS 
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I always buy the same size as the lug of the watch with good results. It isn't often that you will get one that doesn't fit, out of the dozens of NATOs I have bought, only 1 turned out slightly shy of the exact measurement and it worked out perfectly anyway as it was a 20mm and I put it on a 19mm lug width watch hand6.gif There are different grades of NATOs, the highest quality ones in my opinion are from Maratac (West Coast Time is a dealer), TimeFactors and my favorites are from Gnomon Watches. If the NATOs from Gnomon had blasted hardware they would be the only ones I would buy because of the fit to my wrist. I find the Maratacs have more tail than I need, and the TimeFactors straps' holes start too close to the end of the strap and show on the fold, I hate that! Since NATOs aren't that expensive, try a bunch from different manufacturers to see which you like best hand6.gif Cheers, Griff
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| Posted: Fri Sep 11th, 2009 12:57 am |
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5th Post |
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stew77 Admin
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Thanks for the quick reply Oscar, aredman, and Griff!!! Oscar & Griff - thanks for the reference to Howard at westcoastime.com (have previously ordered an Ollech & Wajs from Howard and agree that customer service is fantastic A+ from Howard!!!). ....looks like he carries the great quality Maratac Nato and Zulu straps that you guys like. I also like the range of hardware finishes that he offers versus some of the other vendors. Thanks also guys for the tips regarding the lug width!!! 
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| Posted: Fri Sep 11th, 2009 11:56 am |
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6th Post |
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bigrustypig 3T WIS 
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Stew, like Oscar said: get the exact width measurement. Getting a width too wide or a width too narrow will spoil the look via the creases on the bars. My personal preference is the Zulu/Maratac because they are thicker and more substantial than the Nato, which I don't really favor precisely because of the "thrifty" thicknesses and scrawny strap keepers. One thing you need to consider is that some watches' steel bracelets have spring bars/pins too close to the dial/case. You might think that just because a bracelet is thicker than the Zulu/Maratac, the watch will automatically take a Zulu/Maractac. Wrong. It happened to me on a Seiko. The watch where I goofed is shown below. The strap seems to be "on" but it was only a fitting session and I found out later that the strap wouldn't fit.  So check that little detail first. I get my Zulus from Anders/Gnomon. I am also looking at the Coast Guard Orange from westcoastime. Hope this helps, amigo:D
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| Posted: Fri Sep 11th, 2009 09:13 pm |
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7th Post |
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aredman 3T WIS
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Hey BigrustyPig, have you tried to put that strap on any other Seikos like the monsters? I have been considering getting a couple for my monster but if they will not work then I will try something else. Thanks
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| Posted: Fri Sep 11th, 2009 11:45 pm |
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8th Post |
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stew77 Admin
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bigrustypig wrote: Stew, like Oscar said: get the exact width measurement. Getting a width too wide or a width too narrow will spoil the look via the creases on the bars. Ah...Thanks Bigrusty...your additional extra detailed comments (especially with the photograph) show what to watch out for with the Natos/Zulus....I will definitely pre-check the clearance between the spring/lug bars and the watch case prior to ordering. ....Anders was even so gracious as to PM me offering for me to pre-check what watch I want to install the Nato/Zulu on.... So bigrusty and Anders....a gracious  amigos!!!!You guys are simply "more than I could ask for" helpful  .
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| Posted: Sat Sep 12th, 2009 10:36 am |
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9th Post |
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bigrustypig 3T WIS
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aredman wrote: Hey BigrustyPig, have you tried to put that strap on any other Seikos like the monsters? I have been considering getting a couple for my monster but if they will not work then I will try something else. Aredman, good question....I never tired yet and it never entered my mind  . I guess I am just so happy with the bracelet that I never tried a switch. I'm on the road now but will let you know soonest. Sorry I can't give an answer for now.
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| Posted: Sat Sep 12th, 2009 10:38 am |
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10th Post |
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bigrustypig 3T WIS
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Glad to be of help, Stew. Good luck on your switches. Check out the Coast Guard Orange at westcoastime. I think that exact shade of orange is very uncommon.....unless the exposure value of the shot added to that luxurious orange....
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| Posted: Sat Sep 12th, 2009 10:59 am |
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11th Post |
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teddyhanna Guest
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Here I want to show my new ones that I got from (Howard) westcoastime.  
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| Posted: Sat Sep 12th, 2009 11:17 am |
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12th Post |
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bigrustypig 3T WIS
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I love them, Teddy. Exactly as I like: 4 keepers for aesthetic balance and a version in black anodized.hand6.gif Stew, these are great ones for you to consider, too.
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