Watches - another OCD problem

Maratac do excellent NATO straps but they are quite chunky and difficult to get in the uk (I have a few maratac Zulus). You can buy them online via west coast time (eBay or direct) but I had problems buying from them previously (bought $100 dollars worth direct from them and never received order).

Alternative in the uk is timefactors, a guy called Eddie makes them. The hardware on them isn't as chunky as on the maratacs but they are nicely made and they do lots of nice varieties. He also has a great reputation - which is also a problem sometimes as his website often experiences backlog! Www.timefactors.com

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Cutlasshound

Or if you want super cheap ones which are still decent quality then www.cousinsuk.com does them. Me and a mate recently bought a bulk order from them and for the price they were pretty reasonable.

I also know somewhere that does them from 1680d ballistic nylon but can't remember off the top of my head where!

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Giles

Thanks. Buying from US is no issue for me. Which would you go for?

madmonday

Nice score G$, what's up with your Riki Watanaba(sp) that the MADame got for you?
Now that's a nice simple watch with some charm

oh & thanks again for the link Chiba, think I was able to grab the watch you pointed out . . . oh but this antiquewatch link is great as well.

*goes to look for an image of the Riki

Giles

@madmonday:

what's up with your Riki Watanaba(sp) that the MADame got for you?

One of the hour markers fell off and impeded the minute hand. I had it fixed. Feck me, 3 days later, another hour marker fell off and impeded the minute hand…...Lost the will to get it fixed.....I will some day, but I'm pissed

Chiba J.

Monday and Giles, nice pickups! Look forward to some pics. Interesting that the face on the one Giles grabbed is slightly different.

Have a serious look at Nato straps for that watch. I had serious issues with leather straps not quite fitting properly and the watch falling off. Nato strap cleared that up brilliantly.

Willing to wager that the Taikonaut straps are as good as any, and a ton of colorways to choose from in 20mm.

http://item.rakuten.co.jp/taikonaut/c/0000000202/

http://item.rakuten.co.jp/taikonaut/20b20ezz00c2s01/

Edit: another webstore here:

http://taikonaut-watch-band.myshopify.com/

Cutlasshound

@Giles:

Thanks. Buying from US is no issue for me. Which would you go for?

It depends what you want really. Have taken a few pics of mine.

The pic with four straps in shows from left to right.

44mm maharishi x knowledge 44mm officine watch on a black 22mm maratac Zulu strap with black hardware.
iwc 42mm on a timefactors strap with grey and orange stripe and brushed hardware
cousins NATO strap black with red stripe
cousins Zulu style NATO strap in of green

The Zulu straps sit a lot chunkier on the wrist. In my opinion perfect for the panerai style watch but not quite right for the smaller watch or if you want something more streamlined.

The Normal NATO straps are far better on the smaller watch.

In terms of thickness of nylon the Zulu straps are for more rugged generally, as is the hardware that goes with them.

In terms of quality the nylon on the maratac and the timefactors straps are far superior. My overall favourites are probably the timefactors ones. Purely because they are a bit more streamlined, the nylon is good quality, the edges are nicely finished and -most importantly for me - you support a small business when you buy from them. That being said…. The straps do come up a bit short, so if you have massive wrists it could be an issue. I also like the brushed hardware on the timefactors straps compared to the cousins ones.

However if you want something that takes an absolute beating on something like a panerai or g-shock then I would go for the maratac. They also feature matte black hardware and can absolutely transform a g-shock if you can get hold of the strap adapters.

Hope that's not too confusing! Pics as follows:

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Chiba J.

Nice watches and straps!

For 20mm and rugged, I'm liking the canvas. Might have to pick this up myself.

http://taikonaut-watch-band.myshopify.com/products/20mm-miltat-g10-canvas-military-green

Cutlasshound

Cheers dude, canvas looks like it could be a nice addition too

Giles

@Cutlasshound:

That being said…. The straps do come up a bit short, so if you have massive wrists it could be an issue.

Bollocks….......I have.

Thank you for the comprehensive review....

Cutlasshound

@Giles:

@Cutlasshound:

That being said…. The straps do come up a bit short, so if you have massive wrists it could be an issue.

Bollocks….......I have.

Thank you for the comprehensive review....

In that case, daluca straps and
Crownandbuckle.com do ballistic nylon NATO straps! Not sure on quality but they look alright!

Or you could just buy the maratac pilots watch, which comes with its own maratac NATO!

zwer

If you decide to switch back to leather after rocking the NATO, Scott Willis made me up a couple of straps for my Oysterdate - arrived today.

Snowy

Cutlasshound, even worse I think you've just sold me on the IW377701 :|

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Watches - another OCD problem