Watch Fashion Goes Back To 70s Classic
If you are looking to spice up your watch after you buy it, changing the strap is basically your only option. You can’t change the watch face, so make sure that it is appropriate for the occasion you are wearing it to. But if you have a watch that is not proper ‘formal’, a classic ‘70s accessory is back in vogue to help you dress it down for casual ones, while at the same time earning you appreciative nods from watch snobs. We are talking about, of course, the NATO band.
The last few years, they have become all but ubiquitous: NATO straps are available on top of the line Patek Philippes and Rolexes, believe it or not. If you do not consider it beneath you (and we know some of you definitely do) to put a strap that costs about ten times lesser than the actual timepiece, the NATO band is a great, fun accessory to lighten the mood up a bit for those not so formal occasions.
NATO origins? Not exactly
The NATO strap as we know it was introduced by the British Ministry of Defence in the early 1970s, and soldiers had to put in requisition forms numbered “G10” to get their hands on one, so the technical name for these straps is G10 and not NATO. They were made to strict specifications: woven nylon, a width of 20mm and a chrome plated brass buckle. It was extremely secure and functional and was lighter than metal bands. Soon different regiments wore straps of their regimental colours and a new fashion trend was born.
Functional and casual
It is exhausting to wear a heavy metal band everywhere. A NATO band is perfect for occasions where you want to dress down your watch a bit but still get approving nods. True to its military origins, it is extremely utilitarian: the nylon weave is light but strong and water has no appreciable effect on it. The buckles are designed with fail-safes in mind, so even if the clasp happens to break, the watch does not fall off. The secondary band that is folded back in helps to get a secure fit around your wrist without it feeling unnecessarily tight. So why not use one?
It looks super hip
NATO bands have a decidedly casual look and feel to them. The colourful patterns can be chosen to match your outfit easily and they are cheap enough that you can have a lot of choice for very little money. They look great and feel very comfortable on your hand.
It is super trendy
You know a style is “in” when a company like Patek Phillippe, maker of Holy Grail watches, puts a $20 NATO band as the default strap on a $50,000 watch. That move alone should convince you of how cool this trend is right now. It is not the cost of the accessory, but the sheer nostalgia it evokes and the functionality it embodies that makes it so much more attractive.
So in short, give the venerated NATO band a try. It won’t break your bank to get one (or ten) and it can enliven your drab office watch enough to carry it through a weekend party. You won’t be disappointed.
Author Bio: Teresa Smith worked at watchbandgirl is a one-stop shop for watch accessories specializing in selected watches, NATO watch bands & strap , watch tools and watch boxes. She is responsible for the marketing & communication efforts of the firm.
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