Hidden Gem - the Elastic Watch Strap

Today we are checking out elastic watch straps, a very functional, comfortable, welcome addition to your watch strap collection. They add a nice pop of color, you'll hardly know you are wearing it, and they are affordable enough to pick up more than one.
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[@mutant0177]

For someone with a wrist/arm that does a lot of "work" during the day (and night) to such an extent that I have to use the vernier adjustment mutiple times a day, that kind of straps are a blessing.

[@jimferry4751]

I put the green/yellow on my Flighty. I had a bit of a challenge getting the 22mm to fit the lug holes as Seiko has placed them very close to the case. I finally got it on the 3rd try. Very comfy band, feels like I'm not wearing a watch. The look is spot on to TGV's Flighty and did not have to spend $80 and wait for a NDC to be delivered. Thanks Marc for a quality product.

[@imsergio]

Bought a few about 3 months ago and i'll never go back to regular Natos. These are extremely comfortable and easy to adjust. Currently 6 of my 12 automatics have elastic straps.

[@islandwatch]

Cool

[@martinjaramillo2429]

I just got one today. Same as you, I'll never buy another NATO. They are great but the elastic is way better.

[@Amin_2k]

Way more comfortable than nato!

[@kenpickett9317]

These straps are great, way nicer and more comfortable than any NATO. They work best on lighter watches though as heavier pieces do tend to flop around a bit with them.

[@AveiroDan]

Love the gray with the orange stripe!

[@islandwatch]

Me too!

[@vnollora]

I have my Gshock DW5600 on one of these. Makes it super lightweight and comfortable making for the perfect workout/beater watch

[@diablo2punk]

Marc be blessing us with more goodies! Hope to see more colors because I’m about to purchase one of these

[@islandwatch]

More to come!

[@GSM007G]

Just finished putting my finishing touches on mine... Military Green on my recent Marathon Large Diver's GSAR... LOOKS Great...A Massive MASSIVE Thanks!

[@gerardoesparza8650]

Yes they are super comfortable and you don’t have to buy the really expensive ones...

[@islandwatch]

Makes you wonder

[@candide1772]

Interesting! I have heard of these but have never thought of purchasing one. I may have to get one. Also, I have really been enjoying your collaborations with TGV at The Urban Gentry.

[@khairiazmi1140]

.o9 Polo too late and on top in our

[@richardshaw1968]

These are great I was a bit nervous about the clasp at first but this was unfounded. The bit I like is the dealing with snagging where the strap gives before the spring bars or your wrist! The 20 fits ok in 19 and the 22 in a 21. Mark, how about some 21mm straps, there are so many brands with this size..Citizen, Seiko, Certina, Victorinox to name a few...and very few options out there to factory.

[@jesseprice401]

The green with the yellow strap is the original 60’s French army color the one that started it all. The black and gray is a Bond style but not a Bond strap. The Bond strap is black red and green. I haven't found anyone making the correct color Bond in parachute yet. I would love to see you make one with the original Bond colors. Love your channel.

[@rfern263]

I just received mine today. It is definitely the most comfortable watch strap I have ever owned. A substantial watch like my speedy feels super light on the wrist. This strap holds the watch head snugly and securely like a NATO but it wears so much better, and it is easy to install. Let’s hope the elastic holds out. If it does, at $20 it is likely I will order a few different colors.

[@AgeofEon]

These look like a great alternative to MN straps for 1/4th the price. I wish there was an option to better match my BB58 though, as the black with sandy brown stripe looks fantastic. Fingers crossed it comes in the future.

[@petematzen8486]

I've been waiting for some one to sell these straps at a reasonable price. This is a Home Run Marc!

[@dinner_workingsly]

Yeah man...I don’t do natos but these are great! These are incredibly comfy. Only caveat is wrist size/watch case size. I’m 6.5” at the wrist and fit can be tricky depending on the watch. The buckle can end up in a compromising position.

[@ndupontnet]

Hey Levi, maybe you should try installing it the other way around, "hook down", so it ends up on the exterior of the arm.

[@dinner_workingsly]

@@ndupontnet ya know man, sometimes the most obvious things escape me...👍🏼👍🏼. Thanks man, I’ll give it a shot...but yeah that will totally work.

[@islandwatch]

Thanks Levi, and great recommendations here.

[@LS1007]

Pretty cool! I can see why they would be comfortable because of the stretch and quick adjustment. I’ll be checking them out.Thanks for sharing them. 👍🏻👍🏻🇺🇸

[@islandwatch]

Thanks for watching.

[@stayedfaded]

My NATO gets scratchy occasionally and I have to take a lighter to it to smooth it back down. This looks like a better long term solution but I'm hoping future color choices will pair even better with my SRPB49. My current NATO is black/grey striped with a navy center stripe, but I suppose that's asking for too much. Pure grey or navy/grey striped would be awesome. I remember you as one of the banner sponsors at PMWF back in the day, it's neat to watch your continuing growth.

[@islandwatch]

Thanks for checking out the video.

[@oktc68]

Haven't tried the elastic, I really like seatbelt weave nato's. Have to give one a go... Thanks.

[@brianrusso8018]

Heres another vote for the 54 as best all around EDC watch. Its definetly my most worn in my modest collection of about 8 - 10. I love that guy! 👍

[@islandwatch]

LOL!

[@Amin_2k]

I just got one, it looks surprisingly good! Definitely the lightest and most comfortable band i have ever tried, i can see this being very comfortable when working out. I feel like this is the better version of the Nato.

[@kymba112]

Just got my green w/yellow stripe to go with my Flighty!! Man, what a 🤬 to put on, 😆 I LOVE this band! My first Long Island Watch purchase. I'll be back!!!

[@scottmorrison147]

Got a Strap Guy elastic strap. Makes my Invicta 1953 look like the bomb!

[@ozludo]

The lighter the watch, the less you feel these. I wear a Casio Duro on elastic and sometimes have to check it's still there. Really heavy watches can move around on your wrist if you don't make the elastic quite firm, but it's quick and easy and still really comfortable. And lots of colours are available - a mate has a yellow Komandirskie on an orange elastic with grey pinstripe. Sounds over the top but looks brilliant.

[@islandwatch]

Thanks for sharing.

[@ozludo]

@@islandwatch Oh yeah, Marc, before we forget: Green waffle dials, and turquoise too ;-)

[@Jaybird-oo3ih]

Love these straps, we need more colors and color combinations though. I have 4 of these bands on 4 different watches. Love the comfort level. 👍

[@golrush007]

I've been using one of these elastic Marine Nationale inspired straps for about 6 months now. It's a really comfortable strap, more so than any other strap I've used before.

[@deanwaller8283]

How's it holding up?any signs of wear?

[@golrush007]

Holding up very well. No signs of wear that I've noticed...I wear it about 5 or 6 days a week so it's been doing a great job.

[@AlexSaavy]

Just received a black 20mm one in the mail today. It’s awesome. Thank you for providing a great product at a great price!

[@mike93lx]

I love my elastic band from benchmark basics. Super comfortable

[@islandwatch]

Cool

[@mike93lx]

@@islandwatch are you planning to offer yours with a regular buckle?

[@suikakujun]

I love the Marine Nationale style strap. Since I found about them is my most used style strap. Sooo comfy!!!

[@islandwatch]

Agreed

[@_Stromberg]

Love to see the all black version with black hardware as a future variation.

[@antonarson]

Came here from The Urban Gentry, you are obviously a true watch enthusiast and I am looking forward to more great content!

[@dspserpico]

This might as well be a watch and learn. This video explained how to install a paratrooper strap much more clearly and succinctly than anything else I’ve seen. I would have saved me some time if this video existed when I got my first paratrooper strap. Maybe I should get the next one from Marc.

[@clange50]

There are different configurations. These are like the Erika's Originals ones. There are a few others, like cheapest nato straps, or the MN straps. Amazon also had some with conflicting types in product shots (how would you know what you'd get?). Confused the hell out of me when I first started looking at them. I do think this is probably the best day to day configuration.

[@larrymitts566]

I bought the green with yellow stripe for my Boctok Amphibia. Looks great and feels AMAZING. I don’t enjoy NATOs but love this. BTW, my wrist is 8.25” and it’s fine.

[@kylenicholas6362]

As a web designer couldn’t agree more, making a major transition with e-commerce sites, or any websites that host user accounts, can be a dangerous and tedious process. Kudos to you and your team, and nice straps!

[@islandwatch]

Thanks!

[@stevenwymor1398]

I’ve got a few of those Marine Nationale straps. Love ‘em.

[@renngretsch]

Mark should get them with black hardware, This style of strap with black metalwork match up great with bronze watches. I have this style 5:23 with black metalwork on a Steeldive bronze SD1940 and it really goes together well.

[@tactofu]

I'm not exaggerating when I say 75% of my collection has these parachute straps on them. I've nearly retired every NATO strap I own. They're the best.

[@islandwatch]

Great to hear!

[@KennyVo120]

Just got that exact field watch combo, rocking it as I type this. I love the field watch, it's one of the biggest price values out on the market!!

[@VincentAmari]

awould love a black with yellow stripe for the Flighty, please? :-) not sure which size fits best either

[@bmw128racer]

How durable are the straps? I would think the elastic over time would lose its resiliency.

[@yehoshuacirt8645]

I have one and I think the elasticity does reduce somewhat after months and washing. But this poses no problem. It's still very usable and comfortable.

[@ericboes9804]

I just received mine, I have this and the original Marine National strap now and much prefer this design.

[@daws817]

comfortable! Got the black today and installed it to my flieger black dial 42mm, looks amazing 👌🏻

[@jameswilkes3186]

Looks like a great strap for warm weather.

[@islandwatch]

It is!

[@trwilliams22]

Well done! I got one of these with my new ISL40. Great stuff! Love my new everyday watch!

[@matbennett22]

I love the comfort of this watch strap however I like my watch to stay put and after having this for about a year the adjustment buckle will start to slide down and loosen up in my wrist making the watch hook come off every once in a while. Like I said I love the comfort of this strap but looks like I may need look around for a replacement. 😕

[@Watchtrain]

I ordered three of these this morning before the video came out. I have used other brands but I really like the concept for the buckle system here. Can't wait! Pairing up one with an Omega Seamaster Professional and will post results on Instagram.

[@drhusman]

Congrats on the new site!

[@bruceleroy8063]

Love it. Please keep the colors coming.

[@islandwatch]

Will do

[@nickpro1]

Great looking elastic strap and a great price point.

[@islandwatch]

It sure is!

[@Mr_Memer.876]

I have 4 watches on elastic straps. So comfortable, great options for smaller and lighter watches.

[@islandwatch]

Awesome, thank you.

[@paulhart2021]

Put this strap on my AVI-8, and it looks fantastic. Very nice strap and comfy 2!

[@Mike-hb4pc]

That's gonna be a winner! I like it..

[@islandwatch]

Yup.

[@gaylemcgee2221]

You make a beautiful field watch! Can't lie about that.

[@islandwatch]

Thank you very much!

[@RichsRantMMAofficialchannel]

Definitely the most comfortable strap ever! Natos feel like sandpaper after wearing an elastic...

[@islandwatch]

Truth!

[@chrisg-gg2iu]

I like to use quick release springbars which make switching between straps a breeze.

[@islandwatch]

I was going to mention that, good point.

[@rangersmith4652]

I tried an elastic NATO with a traditional buckle on a Kamasu, and I found it was comfortable but made the watch feel somewhat floppy and top heavy. I could minimize this my tightening the strap, but then it felt a bit too tight. I still like the strap, just not on heavy watches.

[@garynico9872]

what strap do u use for the kamash now?

[@rangersmith4652]

@@garynico9872 A Barton Horween, black leather with blue stitching.

[@pacovl46]

I own one of those from Moose Strap Co and I’m not a fan. Getting it on is a bit of a pain in the neck in the beginning, but once you’re used to it it takes as little time to put on as a regular nato strap, it’s maybe even a tad faster. What I didn’t like about it is that you have to wear it fairly tight to keep it from sliding over your wrist/wiggling around on your wrist when you wear that type of strap with a heavy watch like a dive watch for example and for some reason my wrist doesn’t agree with tight straps/bracelets of any kind because it’s uncomfortable and trying to get used to it didn’t work out for me. My nato straps wiggle, too, but because they don’t stretch my watch can’t slide over my wrist. What I also didn’t like is the missing flap that you fold over into the keepers on a regular nato. After having worn nato straps for such a long time it just looked odd to not have that flap. That’s purely cosmetic, though. Apart from that I liked it. It definitely felt comfortable and if one doesn’t have a problem with tight straps then it’s definitely an option that’s more cuff-friendly than a regular nato strap.

[@islandwatch]

Hmmm. I haven't encountered these issues, and been wearing for a while now.

[@pacovl46]

@@islandwatch Lucky you! 🙂 People are different.

[@donnyboon2896]

Yes

[@islandwatch]

Right on

[@evanman4651]

Would love to see this in 18mm, I've been wanting to get an affordable one for my citizen field watch, and this one seems really nice!

[@islandwatch]

noted

[@christianmotos]

@@islandwatch 18mm but can fit a 5.75" wrist, please!

[@pinchnsqueal]

Second that. I got my 12 year old son an SNK a while back. I think he would appreciate one of these over the nato I got for it.

[@stevebolt7132]

I've tried a few...yes very comfortable but the ones I've tried have frayed badly especially around the preferred hole and at the end of the strap too..after a few weeks they looked unsightly so I binned them

[@islandwatch]

I've been using it for a while and it looks great.

[@Wild_Danimal]

Yooooo these look so good definitely gonna check these out!

[@whoknows8678]

These are definitely comfortable...until they slip... I have a couple of these straps and they always loosen up over the course of a day. I find myself pretty much constantly having to readjust the slider to tighten things back up. I wish there were a better way to secure the slider once it's in the perfect position.

[@jason..1051]

Have a bunch of those very very comfortable straps love them

[@islandwatch]

Great!

[@NameBrandArtist]

Nice, looking for a more comfortable nato like strap, gray and orange will work great on my Vaer watch I will purchase here in a bit

[@homeinthewhiteoaks]

I just ordered my ISL 53 with the gray and orange this week hoping it would match up well! Love the islander logo on this combo to match the watch and strap. And thank you for the speed of your shipping next day it was all on the way.

[@islandwatch]

Perfect, thank yoiu!

[@CyberBeep_kenshi]

Grey-yellow stripe or grey-green stripe would be awesome too. Ideas for my Lumtec hehehe

[@Beck-Stein]

Cant wait to get mine

[@devinpowers4368]

I bet they are really comfortable during the hot days.👍

[@islandwatch]

I agree.

[@jamessmith6402]

Mr Bond would be pleased 👍 great idea thanks Marc

[@islandwatch]

Very welcome

[@ThomqsMNielsen]

Waiting at the mailbox for the bracelet for my ISL-54, it looks so good!

[@islandwatch]

Hope you enjoy it!

[@moorwatch9654]

I just ordered two of these with my Islander 41 field watch!!!

[@islandwatch]

Sweet!

[@Chicagomostly]

I ordered one this morning- these look like they will be comfortable

[@islandwatch]

Awesome, thanks.

[@tedblack2415]

That isl54....niiice.

[@islandwatch]

Thanks!

[@w3dge115]

So any ideas on wearing this and both pieces of hardware showing on each side? If I want it secure on my wrist then I have to tighten to where the latch is on the right and the other hardware piece is on the left. Ideas?

[@BurnedJello]

I've never used one but I can't imagine being comfortable when using one because I'd be too nervous it would either accidentally come undone/slip or the bigger concern - someone could walk by and just snatch it off

[@timemeasured9137]

Put one on my SKX007 and love how it looks and wears on the wrist.

[@CyberBeep_kenshi]

You can just adjust them when they lose their elasticity too. Making them last a longer. Not too expensive anyways. Sounds like a real holiday strap to me. Reminds me of the key bracelets you get at the pool for your locker:-)

[@aussie8114]

I use Vario elastic nylon straps. The elastic nylon idea is very good, I hope you sell plenty.

[@armandojuan64]

In my humble opinion ( I really mean it ) this blue dial field watch hits perfection dead center . I'd love to see how it looks with an orange second hand . I think I'll buy one . It is perfect . I can picture myself answering : It's an Islander .

[@pedrosaenz2800]

Interesting option to customize your watches according to your dress.

[@oOoScarecrow31oOo]

So I guess I have to find the dress matching my strap now... 😅

[@islandwatch]

True

[@leonidaslantz5249]

Believe me,these straps are Uber comfortable! Also compared to prices in excess of $100USD for arguably the same strap elsewhere; these LIW straps are the BEST watchstrap bargain extant.

[@islandwatch]

Thanks!

[@Nothingtoya]

I've bought so many Nato straps, trying to fine one I like, I just hate them all. These elastic bands are wonderful, I got one for free with a watch I bought and I was confused by it at first.

[@9unslin9er]

Are these quick dry? I wear my Casio AE1200 24/7. I don't want a damp wrist/mold growth.

[@QXZ9027MKII]

Top notch sir,,,,👌👌 I was looking for those,,, ordered all of them thanks Sir.

[@islandwatch]

No problem 👍

[@ndupontnet]

For some reason I wear them the other way around. I think it might prevent the hook from popping out. EDIT : The hook also slips to a more comfortable position.

[@islandwatch]

Interesting. I guess you can do it either way.

[@GabrielGGabGattringer]

I´ve a bunch of these straps, bought from my favorite european store. I love these straps now, but it was so frustrating to get a comfy fit! My wrist is so small and those I have are 270mm in length. I´ll definitely have a closer look at your offerings as well!

[@islandwatch]

thank you

[@MrBl3ki]

Just got mine and have the exact same issue, it's just too long for my small wrist. In addition to lug width, they need to include strap length (S, M, L) for these type of bands as well.

[@nathaniellaundy1554]

Need a black with red stripe ASAP!

[@davidmiskiel5859]

Hey Marc, TGV has a nice video explaining the history of the strap which is really cool the green and yellow is the original parachute strap...but take a look at his video surprised you are a late bloomer to the MN strap.

[@hstlr31]

That 54 would look beautiful with a blue dial.

[@oldfashionedsportsmanchave4590]

How do you keep it from coming loose after a few hours?

[@EluciaDeLuteIma]

Will you ever sell in 18mm? Aside from my Seiko watches I don't have anything else in 20mm. Rest of the Swiss stuff are 18.

[@kailen98]

New website looks awesome works great on mobile!

[@islandwatch]

Great to hear!

[@briansmith3011]

I’ve been interested in this style for some time since learning about them from TGV, but have had issues finding at a descent price in the US.

[@islandwatch]

Look no further.

[@wongjefx980]

I'm sure to get one.. only one because I tried perlon (sp?) as an option to my usual NATO's, going with the idea of finding the perfect wrist fit and did not like them, perlon was way to thin and could not keep my diver from sliding around my wrist... hoping the elastic will be better...

[@wongjefx980]

OK.. I got the black-grey stripe and the blue..so two ... but that's it Marc..

[@elitedragonslayer100]

Diggin the straps! Was wondering if there were any plans to release an Islander Digital watch?

[@islandwatch]

No plans.

[@Patrick-pm1sn]

Would you take a 20 or 22 mm for a 21mm Flightmaster? Anyone tried that out?

[@pendellobass2977]

Are these called Marine Nationale straps?

[@blueluny]

I bought one so my Casio fits over my weight lifting gloves. (Wearing it normally meant the gloves kept pressing the buttons!).

[@hd9g]

iphone compatible ?

[@glennpowell3444]

I remember spandex steel bracelets but guess showing my age?These look very comfortable.

[@islandwatch]

Speidel. Remember those.