NATO Strap - The watch strap in color

NATO Straps – Robust nylon watch straps in premium quality

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Parachute Strap - The watch strap with stretch

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Canvas strap - perfect for vintage watches

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Nato strap durchzugsarmband in 20 mm Breite

More about NATO straps

NATO Straps – the iconic watch strap

A NATO strap is more than just a textile watch strap – it's a piece of history. Originally introduced in 1973 by the British Ministry of Defence as the robust G10 strap , the NATO strap continues to impress with its functionality, durability, and unique style.

What makes a NATO strap special?

  • One-piece construction : secure hold even with a broken spring bar
  • Robust nylon : durable, lightweight and waterproof
  • Versatility : quick to change, available in many colors and designs
  • Affordable : a budget-friendly alternative to leather or steel watch straps

James Bond and the legendary NATO bracelet

The nylon strap became world-famous thanks to James Bond. Sean Connery wore his Rolex Submariner on a nylon strap in Goldfinger – and Daniel Craig later adopted the distinctive look in Spectre . Since then, the James Bond NATO strap has been considered a timeless classic.

Buy NATO straps from us

Whether you prefer simple designs in black and grey or striking Bond-style stripes – at nato-strap-shop.com you'll find a wide selection of high-quality NATO watch straps. Changing the strap is quick and easy, ensuring your watch always looks its best.

👉 Discover our NATO straps now and find the perfect strap for your watch.

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Things to know about NATO straps

NATO straps are
One-piece textile watch straps, originally designed for military use
They were developed for this purpose. Today, they are among the most popular alternatives to
Leather and metal bracelets impress with their functionality, robustness and wide variety of designs.

NAUST Strip an eine Rolex GMNatos Strip an eine Rolex gmt, Master

the military origin

On the history of NATO straps

The name “NATO Strap” was originally an abbreviation for the
The term “NATO Stock Number” (NSN) came about. The NSN is an international
Common classification standard for military equipment. Therefore, the
The name of the popular watch straps is only indirectly related to NATO troops.

The more precise term for NATO straps is actually...
G10. In 1973, the “Strap, Wrist Watch” celebrated its debut in Standard 66-15.
British Ministry of Defence debut. Soldiers had to be transferred to a
To obtain such a bracelet, fill out form G1098 – abbreviated as G10.
As a result, they were able to retrieve their "strap" at their unit's supply point.
pick up. Although the designation in the Ministry of Defence standard is very
What was nonspecific are the specific characteristics of a real G10
NATO strap meticulously documented. The Ministry of Defense
The G10 Straps issued were:

• made of nylon
manufactured…

• were
Available only in the color “Admiralty Grey”…

• had a
Width of 20 mm…

• and had
a chrome-plated brass clasp.

Another characteristic of the original G10 series was a
second, shorter nylon strap, which was attached to the main strap with an eyelet.
Since the bracelets were designed for military use, they had to
It should be functional, robust, and reliable. The additional nylon had a
Eyelet through which the main strap was threaded after being behind the watch
was pulled through. This created a flap that restricted the freedom of movement of the
The watch on the wrist was minimized. As long as the strap was correctly and snugly fitted,
The clock was guided by this construction, ensuring that the timepiece
He stayed exactly where they wanted him to.

The added benefit is the strap behind the watch movement.
The procedure is that even if one of the pins holding the tape
holding, breaks, the second pin still binds the entire watch to the wrist.

It wasn't long before, next to the official “admiralty
The “grey” G10 also went into production in other color combinations.
Regiments of the British military displayed their respective corps colors with the
NATO straps on display, which quickly led to the development of straps in all
possible combinations of colors and patterns.

Einteiliges uhren, Armband, Nato sTrap, oliv, orange, schwarz

James Bond and NATO straps

A nylon watch strap in a very specific style
The color combination has now achieved extraordinary popularity.
However, calling it a G10 or a NATO strap would be inaccurate.
When Sean Connery played James Bond in Goldfinger in 1965, he read the
Time as in Dr. No (1962) and From Russia with Love (1963) from his Rolex “Big Crown” Reference 6538
Submariner. But what was new: The world-famous spy wore his watch on a
an attractively patterned nylon strap. Not only was the strap somewhat narrower than
usual, but combined navy blue with red and green stripes.
Watch enthusiasts have therefore dubbed this distinctive color combination “Bond NATO”
baptized.

But filming for Goldfinger began
as early as 1964, nine years before the first G10 was introduced by the British
issued by the Ministry of Defense. But apart from questions of
A closer look at the chronology reveals that the bond with Sean
Connery's wrist was fitted with a so-called Zulu strap, a simple construction.
It consisted of a single band, similar to a belt. Although visually it hardly resembled one.
The difference between Zulu and NATO watch straps was something James Bond wore.
So, strictly speaking, it's a Zulu bracelet, not a NATO strap.

Despite James Bond's attempt to make fashion, it took
years before nylon straps were in enough demand to be industrially produced
to become. Similar to many other objects that were originally intended for the
Developed for military use, it is primarily the
Functionality and rugged charm, which also attracted private watch enthusiasts early on,
Wearing a G10 strap moved.