Today, we'll take a look at a nylon watch strap that's pretty simple, pretty excellent, and pretty pricy: the Erika's Originals MNStrap.
Пікірлер: 138
@calmnight2082 жыл бұрын
Wtf I discovered your channel with knives and now I rediscover it while searching for watch straps. I see you are a man of culture as well. You sir, deserve a subscription.
@BuckFush083 жыл бұрын
Erikas Originals are €75,00, or $89 U.S. dollars. They are quality straps, but the Watch Steward makes a very similar watch strap, manufactures them in the US of A, and they're quite a bit less expensive, $24.99 and well, that's a beautiful thing! Always love your reviews! A little late to the party for this one, but as usual, very informative and enjoyable! Thanks!
@Bpf1893 Жыл бұрын
Thanks for this!!
@jasonchatham4170 Жыл бұрын
Much more comfortable than any other strap/bracelet I have ever tried. Works especially well in heat sweat situations
@michaeledwardlenzi3 жыл бұрын
A good strap can make an unwearable or clumsy watch fit really well. That is the case with this and that is why I spent the money to buy one. It is not for everyone but if it is for you then it is worth it. Holbein's sells them in US, fyi. That is where I bought mine.
@Sean-jg9ps4 жыл бұрын
Bought one of these about a year and a half ago and I havent worn a watch without a MN strap since. They are definitely worth the money!
@loganholmberg22954 жыл бұрын
Have you tried the paratrooper version? Its similar but simpler and you don't neeed to take the spring bars off to install it. Just as comfotable IMO.
@nicks80264 жыл бұрын
Whatever you do, don't buy an Erika's strap before picking up a similar strap from B&R for one third of the price. I made that mistake and felt hoodwinked. There's almost no justification to pay nearly $100 for a bit of stretchy nylon. Some MN straps are absolute garbage - like what you get from Amazon for $10 - but companies like Watch Gecko/Zuludiver and the aforementioned B&R sell virtually the same strap as Erika for under $30.
@RCFlyBoy3144 жыл бұрын
Thank you, looks good enough for me!
@DavePotokar4 жыл бұрын
Nick S good god!!!! Nearly a hundred bucks for 5 dollars of material?!? No thanks Erika! Get real.
@loganholmberg22954 жыл бұрын
I buy mine and the paratrooper version from cheapestnato and not had a proplem with them. There comfortable enough that I wore on for 2 months straight without taking it off and the only issue was salt stains on the inside of the strap from sweat. That was easy enough to wash out and they are only 15 to 20 bucks there. Much cheaper if you buy more than 5 at a time.
@salty_terminal_civilian53743 жыл бұрын
B&R is on Amazon too. Even 30 bucks is hilarious for some nylon.
@mister3horn153 Жыл бұрын
Damn. Should've opened the comments when I watched this the first time.
@billwilferth79404 жыл бұрын
Actually, Erika will make you one for fixed lugs if asked. She has 2 options available. No extra charge. I have 3 so far and love them. One is for my CWC with fixed lugs.
@dustytriumph2 жыл бұрын
"Spring-a-tude" :-) cracked me up. I bought 2 a couple years ago and I'm considering getting a 3rd. I got mine with the printed numbers and I love the look. They are easily my favorite cloth type straps I've tried. Fantastic comfort but what I like best about them is the way when adjusted perfectly the watch sits atop the wrist flat and perfectly centered and never wants to tip off the outside of wrist or slide up and down. Just stays put nicely. Also as your wrists swells or shrinks throughout the day you can easily micro adjust while on wrist.
@JAMaxeRestoration4 жыл бұрын
$75.00, can you imagine the profit margin in that little sucker!
@mattbarker243 жыл бұрын
That's 75 euros...or over $90 USD. Thanks, but not thanks.
@bicmac3333 жыл бұрын
Btw. A few days ago I ordered 2 knock-off straps from Aliexpress Price for 2 pieces together for 14 $ including shipping costs from China to Germany. I'm curious how the quality is .. 🧐 By the way, Erika is from the Netherlands!
@bicmac3333 жыл бұрын
Update, straps have arrived, delivery time to Germany approx. Three weeks. Assembly is a bit fiddly, but overall feels good / 2 pieces € 14 including shipping Regards
@mattbarker243 жыл бұрын
@@bicmac333 Right. But I thought she lives in Spain now?
@bicmac3333 жыл бұрын
@@mattbarker24 Right👍
@crawfordjason4 жыл бұрын
Nick, Holben’s Fine Watch Bands carry Erika’s Originals and many other fine leather bands like ColaReb. They’re in Washington near Seattle, they sell them for $80, and they ship much faster. I have purchased many bands from Holben’s over the years, they’re a great shop.
@btedd4 жыл бұрын
Love the strap - hate the price
@buliwyf32364 жыл бұрын
Nick have you tried "Perlon" straps yet?? They have replaced most of my Nato's and Zulu's!
@loganholmberg22954 жыл бұрын
I have a couple and their nice. Have you tried a paratrooper? Its similar to this but simpler and I'm really liking them.
@mattesckelson510 Жыл бұрын
Nick Mankey Designs, Hawkrigger, and Watch Steward all make comparable products for about half the price of Erika's Originals (now roughly 100 USD apeice shipped), with some differences in hardware and the rigidity of the elastic. Hawkrigger's version has a really interesting closure/buckle design, too.
@hulukki Жыл бұрын
None of those brands are as good as Erika's. Yeah. They are cheaper sure. Not an oppinion but a fact.
@Corn_Pop2 жыл бұрын
I bought one of these from Holben’s and it came in 3 days from the other side of the US. These straps don’t have to take forever if you don’t want a highly customized one.
@devilgames22172 жыл бұрын
Might just buy it from there. Wanted a trident sand with Canada flag but fuck it, I'll take it without and if I really like the strap, I'll buy more and cuztom later.
@gard7514 жыл бұрын
These can be made for fixed lug watches. You just have to email Erika after you order. Just ordered one for my CWC G10.
@lordvalen81334 жыл бұрын
How does that work? Slimmer hook?
@0scartheCat3 ай бұрын
just bought one for my Seiko Street Blue prospex but realised too late that I like changing the strap to G10's and it naffs me off having to change the spring bars . .
@humanitech Жыл бұрын
Are these the ones... that only cost a dollar on aliexpress?
@MrOkieChef4 жыл бұрын
Nick, if the minute few ounces of weight are a problem get a dumbbell and use it every day, but switch arms just for the symmetry.
@rlanger31084 жыл бұрын
Seems nice, but that price is kinda ridiculous for me.
@cloudcleaver234 жыл бұрын
Damn, that's insane for a strap. If you're not spending high-end mechanical money on the watch itself, I'd think some factory making a similar design for mass-production money would be better.
@Apredator813 ай бұрын
Is this a Mirage? Dark grey color? Thanks
@Dionysor3 жыл бұрын
thanks for the up. i do hope ms erika is in her right mind. because the strap costs more than my watch..
@mountainmanwatchreviews80814 жыл бұрын
I find this irrelevant since we’re not supposed to get into watches!! Also almost at 100K!!!!
@thomash45784 жыл бұрын
Technically The Nick never said that we should not get into watch straps
@ralphaxelsson4 жыл бұрын
Entertaining and informative, as always! Great work!
@imoafaq Жыл бұрын
So heart rate sensor won’t work for Apple Watch version!?
@canadianwatchmonkey39922 жыл бұрын
I find that it is not so easy to put the hook onto the part it goes into while on wrist
@t28mcd Жыл бұрын
I was put off by the price so tried a cheap immitation that wasn't very comfortable, too elastic. Everyone says these are very comfortable so perhaps I need to try the real thing.
@karldomingo86524 жыл бұрын
Nice to see your uploads back on watch stuff 🔥👍😀
@thomash45784 жыл бұрын
Strictly my biased opinion: nylon straps look cheap. I don't think I would like to wear it on a multi thousand dollar watch. For that price, I would not like to buy it for a cheaper watch. But if it provides buoyancy to your water craft, more power to you.
@valentind1346 ай бұрын
Is it the black ops color or the mirage ?
@NICKVST3 жыл бұрын
Is it worth the money 💴 I can find the same kind of strap for a fraction of the price don’t know if the material is the same 🤷🏻♂️
@PukaHeadMan8 ай бұрын
That Omega Diver is a killer looking watch. Wish I could afford it.
@annieetc.5634 жыл бұрын
there are a lot of generics of these for like 15 dollars, i'm sure the quality is not the same but i've been happy with the ones i have
@user-wr6nj8du1r4 жыл бұрын
is the center stitching white, light gray or dark gray option nick
@miumiu752 жыл бұрын
Bought one from China, quality is great, I'm pretty sure the material of the original strap came from China too. Would love to have the MN logo on the buckle but it's for my Casio Duro, the Erika strap costs twice the watch, so thanks but no 😀
@jackperi7662 жыл бұрын
I shared the same dislike for NATO straps as you until I tried straps made by Spring Made, which use a infinite adjustment system. Any chance you might try one out for a review?
@bl00dline3602 жыл бұрын
Has anyone tried the one that strapco sells Vs this one ?
@danielpotter89572 жыл бұрын
Love your accent, you sound like a character from family guy! In a good way. Great vid.
@TZKBeats4 жыл бұрын
You have to try Nick Mankey's Hook Strap! Made in USA... Superb comfort!!! EDIT: No layer under the watch with Nick's straps.
@crossbones89569 ай бұрын
Had one of these, and the strap would constantly slip and listen over the day. So, you’re constantly tightening it up to keep the watch from flopping around. Not with the $75 or so I paid back then. Maybe they are better now, but not at the inflated prices. Also, CNS straps make the same thing for about $8.😂
@blooobird684 жыл бұрын
Great review! Enjoyed listening to you too ! ... now I'm off strap shopping ;)
@louismeluso86334 жыл бұрын
I tried 'em. Don't like 'em. Two problems I had. Size-I have a small wrist so the total length is important. I had to have the clasp on top of the wrist and looked bad plus you can only shorten them so far. Once the buckle female part hits the watch head, you're done. I have arthritis and trying to hook the thing is fiddley and difficult for me. A better solution I found was regular, pass-through natos, with buckle and holes...that are stretchy! Just as comfortable without the fit or buckle issues. p.s. I agree, dislike regular natos, though the Blue Shark two-piece nylon ones with quick release pins are tops!
@loganholmberg22954 жыл бұрын
If you can find the aparent quality of this in a paratrooper strap IMO the paratrooper is simpiler, you don't need to remove the spring bars, and its made with the same type of materials and just as comfortable. The loose material you get under the strap seems like it would be janky but it starys in place without a keeper and is still supercomftable IMO on my 8.6 inch wrist. If your in doubt try one from cheapestnatostraps (in quit a few colors and patterns) to give on a try for like 15 bucks. I do have a couple of MNstraps and I like them but I like the even more simplicity in the single pass Paratrooper.
@mad0uche3 жыл бұрын
Unless you really really love the M+N logo and the hardware style, there is literally no reason to pay $15 shipping and $75 for the strap. You can get the same exact product from the watch steward and tons of great straps from crown and buckle, the chevron strap is exactly the same as this without the dumb price and just as elegant, with slimmer hardware.
@scootermann83 Жыл бұрын
Great review, now i get how these work. Thanks! And I'm entertained that you talk just like a jewish cartoon character 🤠
@berserkkw4 жыл бұрын
If you contact Erika before purchasing, they offer a strap for fixed spring bars!
@gav12304 жыл бұрын
You should also check out the nick Mankey designa straps, it’s also elastic but has a different design
@oklahomahank23783 жыл бұрын
Is it cloth or nylon?
@glennmorris97564 жыл бұрын
Shoutout to Froskemann watch straps, which are similar but have a slightly different clasp. I own a couple of them and prefer them to Erika’s. Check them out!
@jmartin27784 жыл бұрын
Having to remove the spring bars for a nato style strap is a non-starter. Be able to switch straps to fit your mood is one of the main attractions to all of the color variations of a nato. At any rate, another solid review. Thanks Nick!
@loganholmberg22954 жыл бұрын
Look for a paratrooper strap then. Its made out of the same material and metal work but you can slip it through spring bars but threading out the clasp and then threading it back on. The buckle is still sticked on but thats not a worry.
@OLMmedic4 жыл бұрын
Nicky. My nato saved my watch the other day. So they are worth it. I was moving to a new place and my watched James hard in doorway while carrying something. One pin bent and gave out. The other held the watch. I honestly didn’t know it broke till I looked down at wrist after putting furniture in truck. Glad to save my watch from a fall on concrete
@bloodmorel4 жыл бұрын
I do like the clasp system on that strap!
@loganholmberg22954 жыл бұрын
Yeah its a bit finiky at first but I love it on my paratrooper straps. Also I like these and the paratroopers cause you can get a perfect fitting. I love that.
@Willandern4 жыл бұрын
You have it mounted upside down, but other than that. Great review.
@MrBacchus184 жыл бұрын
Thats what she said
@WhoIsSerafin4 жыл бұрын
Interesting but that price is way too high
@boyu2132 жыл бұрын
My inspiration, thanks
@philipjanes4 жыл бұрын
Ok its cool, but not $86 cool! WTH?? I'll stick with a NATO.
@pendulousphallus4 жыл бұрын
You really can't argue with that thickness, especially when you compare it against traditional NATOs. That might go out the window if you pair it with mechanical dive watch, but if you save yourself a half millimeter at the end of the day that's a little less nuisance in your life with chunky timepieces like that.
@productproducer66411 ай бұрын
Never thought i'd listen to Ben Shapiro talking about Marine Nationale straps😂
@AndreAndre-yd5gw Жыл бұрын
I ordered 3 from aliexpress. Why would anyone pay usd 80, when aliexpress sells them for usd3 per piece. Yes. They are the same thing, except free of any 'brand' name. I'm wearing one now on a seiko spb147 and it is glorious.
@ES-qe1nh Жыл бұрын
No
@WillEDC4 жыл бұрын
This would be great for a Seiko Arnie
@RCFlyBoy3144 жыл бұрын
Dang... $86+, maybe on a gift list
@noobfl4 жыл бұрын
the price is an issue.. i have a few of them, but not the originals, from some other companys, all in good quality, what shut i say: i freaking love this straps. comfort and security is unmached. and, if you dig a little, they also have a nice heritage ;)
@Nite852 жыл бұрын
where else can I find them for cheaper? 75 euro is insane
@hoque94 Жыл бұрын
@@Nite85 i bought one from aliexpress for about 10$ looks just as nice as the one in the video
@Ivan-Martynov4 жыл бұрын
Two dollar spring bar? You’re spring bar snob, man 😄 I don’t pay more than 2 cents.
@clintonlewis12614 жыл бұрын
Nice strap, has advantages over NATO straps!
@jamesbarisitz47944 жыл бұрын
Ahh, the fragrant aroma of a watch strap worn for a hot summer weekend. These things remind me of high school Timex straps that need regular toothbrush and dishsoap scrubbing to remain hygienic. Brushed stainless still needs the treatment, but doesn't reek like a gymsock after a couple of days in the heat. Too Ikea/kiddy for my taste.
@thomash45784 жыл бұрын
Statistically how often do spring bars fail?
@loganholmberg22954 жыл бұрын
How ruff are you with your watches? I've only ever had one fail when pushing bush when the watch got snaged on a tree branch. Then again these are military type bands so in that kind of evironment maybe its more comon?
@bicmac3333 жыл бұрын
i am 60+. Exactly once in my life. I was still a child and I had dismantled the strap shortly before. after I reassembled the strap there was one! Regards from Berlin.. ;-) Really, that's the truth...
@DiamondHandsHodl2 жыл бұрын
If it's good for Nick, it's good for me.
@72sw4 жыл бұрын
Of all the different kinds of straps, these are my favorite, hands down. And yes, I prefer these to the NDC MN straps.
@loganholmberg22954 жыл бұрын
Have you tried the paratrooper version? Its similar but simpler and you don't neeed to take the spring bars off to install it. Just as comfotable IMO.
@JimAlaska494 жыл бұрын
I love Erika's straps, but you have yours on backwards :)
@NickShabazz4 жыл бұрын
That's the way I prefer it for wear.
@parkpy4 жыл бұрын
Wow! It looks so much better from me perspective this way! Thanks for showing me a different perspective!!
@jball19754 жыл бұрын
I wear mine backwards as well. I can throw it on my wrist it on in a flash whereas the other way I always struggled.
@JimAlaska494 жыл бұрын
@@jball1975 Well shoot, I'll have to give it a try tomorrow and see if I like it better too :)
@gunsmoke9828 Жыл бұрын
This guy should have been in "Good Fellas"
@eileentiernan Жыл бұрын
THAT VOICE YIKES
@bograd3 жыл бұрын
Erika's strap are straight out rip offs. An elastic band, 3 pieces of hardware and some pretty bad stitching. 75eur, really? Got some Chinese parachute straps from ebay at 5-10usd a piece. Same quality.
@petar69502 жыл бұрын
branded aliexpress strap for 80$ good laugh
@ES-qe1nh Жыл бұрын
False
@thejuicer97064 жыл бұрын
What? Ch! Straps, aren’t for me! 😂 ...nice review!
@steffydog2 жыл бұрын
Very nice
@DGRWPF4 жыл бұрын
There are similar ones for under 10$ on aliexpress. Keywords: nylon, elastic, parachute
@Tonyplat98 Жыл бұрын
You got it on wrong.
@preeceeric4 жыл бұрын
I personally think Nick Mankey has a better design.
@FatherVampire3 жыл бұрын
Great straps... not-so-great prices. $100+ for a single strap? Yeah... no, thanks. You can find comparable straps at much more reasonable prices ($10-30) at places like www.cheapnatostraps.com and www.thewatchsteward.com. As JAMaxe Restoration below also pointed out: What insane profit margin is she making off each strap? It's a bit of fabric and three bits of metal, for chrissakes.
@not_a_atf_agenttaco59694 жыл бұрын
Hi nick
@TZOID083 жыл бұрын
Great review...... That was 10 minutes too long.
@feardabeard7635 Жыл бұрын
For $90.00 The strap better put and take its self off my wrist.
@speedygonzales99934 жыл бұрын
The NATO strap is more secure.
@Marshal772 жыл бұрын
12:56 "an organization to protect north atlantic"..whaaaaatt...Once again americans show how little do they know about world around them. To make long story short, its an political and military alliance consisting of thirty countries.
@martyt13182 жыл бұрын
Definitely not easy to put on.
@erikaskasradze53443 жыл бұрын
Thats my name haha
@life-onmars82233 жыл бұрын
You lost me at the third reference to the strap as a guy.
@miamoben4 жыл бұрын
Almost as easy as not wearing a watch at all.
@dm36394 жыл бұрын
OMG, totally! Pulling your phone out of your pocket every time you want to check the time is SUPER easy and buckles are just sooo complicated. You wear velcro shoes and sweatpants everywhere too, right? Way easier than laces, zippers and buttons. In fact, I'm thinking of switching to a mumu from sweatpants, it is just so much easier. No more getting confused by which leg goes into which hole!
@Beck-Stein Жыл бұрын
These are a rip off. I have erikas and Long Island and no difference. Save your money bros.
@kurts4867 Жыл бұрын
YOU're moving your hands too fast ...giving me nausea