What is an RAF watch strap?

What is an RAF watch strap?

The RAF Strap is a long (usually around 250mm) single piece of nylon that usually uses either two steel keepers or a fabric keeper. An RAF strap is supposedly exactly what James Bond wore in the early James Bond movies. While the NATO strap is made of he exact same nylon the end design is quite different.

What does NATO stand for in Watch straps?

The “NATO” namesake comes from the NSN (NATO Stock Number) used when ordering the strap. The 20mm nylon band was light, breathable, and kept the wearer’s watch from sliding around their wrist. A favorite among the British Special Forces, the strap became an icon of spartan ruggedness and simple reliability.

What is a watch NATO?

What is a NATO Strap? NATO straps are typically one piece watch straps that are lightweight, quick drying, durable and very simple to use. They were designed by the British Ministry of Defence in 1973.

What is a single pass NATO strap?

Unlike a normal NATO strap, with a single pass NATO only one layer of fabric passes between the watch and your wrist. This allows the watch to sit closer to the wrist, effectively reducing the height of the watch.

Can you dive with a NATO strap?

Besides a bracelet, a NATO strap is the only other strap to be worn on a diver. NEVER, under any circumstances wear a dive watch with a suit.

Can you go swimming with a NATO strap?

NATO straps are especially well suited for swimming, since they lace between the spring bars and the watch. That means if one of your spring bars breaks while diving, the watch will stay attached to your wrist via the remaining spring bar.

Why do NATO straps have two straps?

With two spring bars and added length so troops could wear a watch on top of their uniforms, the design ensured that watches would stay secure on the wrist. Soon after the initial roll-out to the British Special Forces, the strap was modified to uniquely represent different British military regiments.

Can you wear a NATO strap with a suit?

NATO straps are easy to change, as you don’t need to take off the spring bars. Just pull out the old one and pull through the new one! This way you can perfectly match the color of your watch strap with the colors of your outfit. You can even wear a NATO strap with your suit to have the ultimative Bond look.

What is the difference between a Zulu and NATO strap?

Difference between NATO and ZULU straps ZULU straps are often confused with NATO straps. ZULU strap have only 1 long strap, made of thicker nylon cloth, and has beefy rounded buckles. NATO straps have an additional strap that slides through 2 lugs, in order to have 2 straps of nylon under the watch, instead of one.