The Most Comfortable Watch Strap No One Talks About | Marine Nationale

The NATO strap can be awkward for some, and there's a replacement out there that no one ever talks about. The Marine Nationale strap, also known as the Parachute Strap or the Single Piece Elastic Strap. An incredibly comfortable strap without the bulk of a NATO. Take a look!
Check them out here (Affiliated Link):
amzn.to/3QpWNcZ
Chapters:
0:00 - The Cons of NATOs
3:09 - The Marine Nationale
4:46 - How It Works
8:49 - The Cons

[@Hipnosis65]

I have a MN on right now. My favourite by far. Thanks for the video.

[@ChristyOFaghan]

thanks for that, i've now gone down a rabbit hole checking out all kinds of options from the cheap-and-cheerful to bespoke MN straps

[@stuffonatabletop]

Haha, glad to see you’ve found a new hobby 😉

[@patrickmccarthy4089]

Thanks for the vid. Well done. I would point out NDC watch straps, made the real Marine Nationale parachute elastic --comfortable, secure and work with fixed or removable springbars. Easy to install on any watch. Adjustable to any size wrist, over a sleeve or wetsuit. Too pricey, try a ballistic strap. Not elastic but nylon, single pass without the bulk of a Nato.

[@kobusvanrensburg4092]

The elastic straps are very very comfortable. The downside is that if the head of the watch is heavy it bobbles around. I tried one on some of my divers, but it just never felt as secure as rubber or a nato. Your lighter fieldwatch setup is however a good pairing with an elastic strap.

[@Pehr81]

You can make custom m/n straps at Erika’s originals, they’re pricey but well worth it.

[@spookmineer]

I wanted to get a Nato strap but then stumbled upon Erika's Originals strap. They are extremely comfortable (I adjust mine to just 2 mm tighter than barely flopping around) and there is no excess bulk, unnecessary hardware clonking, no tucking in the strap so there's 3x thickness on one side. It's clean, you don't notice it, the watch stays where you put it. Love it. When I first looked into these straps, I found that there are some differences between different manufacturers. Erika's are sturdy, stiff and very comfy. You actually need to unbuckle the buckle to remove the watch. Then there are the very loose/flimsy elastic ones, also very comfy. You don't need to unbuckle anything, you can just take the watch off. These straps are very stretchy. This is a convenience but it's also unwanted in some cases. If the watch is heavy, these straps will just wobble around, because they are too flexible. With Erika's there's no such issue, they are stiff enough to keep the watch in place but flexible enough to be very comfy.

[@MrLukkar]

With NATO straps you need to cut off the additional piece, so then you will end up only with one layer of fabric under the watch. The excess strap you can also cutoff, round it up a bit to look better. Then you just apply flame from a lighter on both end tips so they do not strip apart and voila - this is very comfortable and good looking

[@yolobathsalts]

Where did you get this information? If the extra layer was meant to be cut off it wouldn't be there lmao. You can literally just install the strap in a different way and the excess isn't even noticeable.

[@sterkriger2572]

No it isn’t meant to be cut. The strap is to hold the actual watch in place when used with the proper model since it is quartz and doesn’t have the bulge on the back, the watch can freely slide on the strap. A problem that doesn’t exist using mechanical watches since the bulge in the back being the same height as the lugs helps holding the watch in place. The strap being long it is because you can use the watch outside uniform and in the case of divers outside the wetsuit

[@MrLukkar]

Maybe I have formulated it nit correctly. I did not mean that it has to be done like this, I just wanted to write that if you have such problem and it is bothering you, then there is a way to have it tighter against your wrist with no excess strap. I myself do it every time and have no problems whatsoever - looks and wears amazing - higly recommend​@@yolobathsalts

[@MrLukkar]

@@sterkriger2572 I agree - it is made with a purpose, but many people do not like it being so bulky. I just wanted to write that there is a solution and it gives great results - I agree that with 1 layer most watches slide along the strap and You need to be careful while picking them up, but when you tighten the buckle after putting them on the wrist they do not move. Luckily there are ways to suit everyones taste :)

[@yolobathsalts]

@@MrLukkar and yet you're still defeating the purpose of the NATO which is to retain the strap in the event of a spring bar failure.

[@user-jk4oz2eo9w]

you’re literally my comfort person i love you #nkuwan !

[@maxwellpowell4306]

Marine in French just means Navy, so the French Marine National is just the French national navy. Funny enough that Citizen is actually famous for being used by the Italian Marina Militare and it looks incredible on a Marine National strap! Just in case you were curious

[@stuffonatabletop]

Thank you! Good to know :)

[@bert2530]

Got that particular Citizen, wear it on a NDC strap. My most used watch by far.

[@kabal911]

I have a couple of g-series from the watch steward that I use with my FXD. Easily one of the most comfortable straps I have worn (maybe not as good as the OEM FXD strap)

[@IDaumI]

I was looking for a bracelet type NATO strap to reduce the chances of dropping my watch as I put it on. Also something less bulky. I found this strap on Amazon and can not be happier. It's comfortable and reduces the bulk, and rish of falling when you put it on. Also it's easy to adjust when you're working in a laptop you can simply move it up further on your wrist. The buckle sits near the bottom of my wrist for me which is where I like it.

[@stuffonatabletop]

Glad to see more people enjoying the MN straps :)

[@Robin6512]

I wear marine nationale straps since years. Extremely comfortable and rugged. I tried them because, like you, I really didn’t dig nato straps.

[@DookeyRidr]

I’ve got 3 different MN straps: 2 from Erika’s, one from Prometheus DW-one of the Erika’s straps is very soft and comfortable, but has lost a lot of it’s elasticity over the years that I’ve had it. The other one has material that isn’t as soft, so therefore isn’t any more comfortable than a regular nato strap. The PDW MN strap is very soft, and very comfortable, but is also very new and still retains elasticity. On the other hand, my favorite, most comfortable straps are my Bonetto Cinturini #328 rubber natos. Most comfortable straps imo.

[@markdrummond7]

Perlon are nice too. Very thin, no double thickness.

[@_guillermo]

More watch content please🖤

[@ol48spring]

I have one on now… 👍 up north in Minnesota

[@davekat4680]

Just ordered selection of straps from AE. Same straps i see on ebuy and zon but 50% less. Difference is shipping speed. Takes a few weeks to receive. Order and forget and they show up 👍

[@HenriksenDolf]

truth!

[@EmilioBaldi]

Is one of my favourite straps as well. For variety cnswatchbands (but you have to rearrange the loop) and erikasoriginals the latter one are made to order with your wrist circumference. Among the disadvantages there is also the risk of slingshoting the watch with the buckle if you are not careful and that the strap puts under constant flession the spring bars.

[@EmilioBaldi]

For the most challenging scenarios I use the Zulu strap with 5 rings: the two rings form a second buckle that ensure slack on the watch and, at the same time, the right "microadjustment" for the wrist circumference. But they are bulky.

[@ShadowWhippler]

You can find marine nationales in a lot of color options from Erikas Originals

[@stuffonatabletop]

Thanks! Been hearing good things about Erika’s

[@TheTerryMarsh1]

Great video, thank you. I have discovered that getting the right size watch is very important. My wrist is about 6.9". So a watch with a case diameter of 38mm or 39mm is about right for me. Some 40mm watches are ok, depending on the lug to lug measurement. Anything bigger or smaller doesn't look right. I like the idea of NATO straps, but I have not found a comfortable one yet. All my watch cases are stainless steel. I'm not about to rush out and buy a watch with a titanium case, just so I can use an elastic strap.

[@stuffonatabletop]

No rush indeed. Just another option to explore if you’re ever in the market for another strap :)

[@KrzysztofStrug]

Hey! thanks for great video, what kind of watches do you have on presented straps?

[@stuffonatabletop]

Hi! Currently only my boldr venture black dawn

[@johnhebert3855]

amazon has all kinds of colors, but no fancy patterns except for a single line of various colors. There are two significant drawbacks to this specific style of elastic strap. #I. The sliding bracket which receives the hook does exactly that, slides down the strap when worn necessitating constant readjustment. #2. Its single loop design doesn't provide enough rigidity when worn with your heavier sport watches.

[@seanhickling7340]

I have one but I jus couldn't get on with it. I can't stand natos either though.

[@EmilioBaldi]

There is also the thin, single pass, friction based, nylon strap by springmadeshop; but is not elastic.

[@bernardtan1]

Elastic strap lose it's elasticity in time & is much more difficult to change straps when it gets wet unlike a NATO strap.

[@Xero285]

I have a Tudor Pelagos FXD and like the strap a lot. It is my most comfortable strap and is very easy and fast to put on and off due to the velcro. Check it out.

[@user-Duese]

even if it is unblivebal,but your promaster is a 42 mm case.that is the magic of japanese watchmaking.i own the promaster by myself,and i own a seiko 6105 willard omage.ihave the same wristsize than you. on one of this french marine straps it wears its asolutly weareble on a tiny wrist like mine.weareble and comfortable.

[@CyberRabid.]

I don't like NATO/Zulu straps on dive watches. However, on a field watch there is nothing better.....

[@blackadder1966]

I ordered a para strap 3 months ago, and I'm still waiting for delivery. Aliexpress. The nato straps took 1-2 weeks.

[@stuffonatabletop]

Hope you get it soon!

[@theclocker7406]

CNS watchbands sell these and has a pretty great selection, so give them a try and you should find what you're looking for. They also offer bargain prices too!

[@stuffonatabletop]

Thank you! Already going through their website as we speak 😉

[@theclocker7406]

Thanks for the video, I’d not really considered one of these straps before, but now I’m looking to order one or two and give them a try.

[@stuffonatabletop]

Enjoy!

[@d.kashani]

I solely use erika’s straps even tho I have many different kinds. They are expensive and overpriced but i guess you gotta pay to play. Side note: you have yours set up upside down i’m not sure if that was intentional or not.

[@stuffonatabletop]

Yup, intentional. Feels and looks better for me that way.

[@peterseddon1387]

Another strap that isn't talked about is the Perlon one peice straps . Very comfortable and less bulk compared to Nato and marine Nationale.

[@stuffonatabletop]

Thank you! I’ve seen some of those before but for the life of me couldn’t remember the name. I’ll give those a try too!

[@wadsworth2351]

What about the watches though? What are they, especially the black one. Thanks!

[@stuffonatabletop]

Citizen NY0040 And the black one is the Boldr Venture Black Dawn

[@wadsworth2351]

@@stuffonatabletop Thank you!

[@thatisjc]

Hi, question can i wear this with one hand? I have cerebral palsy

[@stuffonatabletop]

Hello! Like most watches, if you wear it on your non-dominant hand, your other dominant hand should be able to fasten it no problem. Similar to wearing a 2 piece leather strap though, you might have to flip and turn your non-dominant hand occasionally, pressing it onto your body for stability while your dominant hand works. A bracelet would be easier to wear.

[@iRDude415]

The only negative and the reason why I don't wear this kind of strap is because of how fast it smells bad 😂 Compared to a Nato where it doesn't smell quite as fast and is quicker to dry whenever I wash it, plus while I wait for my other Nato to dry I can easily slip on another nato. Also, I don't know if it's just my particular variant but the buckle slips quite easily. I have 2 of these and they pretty much have the same problem.

[@stuffonatabletop]

Ohh, valid point. Haven’t noticed mine smelling yet though but now I’m tempted to do a daily sniff test lol

[@iRDude415]

@@stuffonatabletop yeah but maybe your mileage may vary. I sweat quite easily plus the combination of living in a tropical country makes it worse 😂

[@UndulatHD]

What watch is the MN strap on?

[@stuffonatabletop]

Boldr Venture Black Dawn

[@user-rs8sy3if7o]

#nkuwan Bolsa réplica 1:1 con imagen reflejada, resistente y resistente al desgaste. Me gusta mucho.

[@jotr.9786]

I just find an elastic strap weird, that's why i prefer single strap zulu or two piece nylon strap.

[@stuffonatabletop]

How come?

[@Madmaxthundrdome]

Great job on this video. Word to the wise though be careful about using the word NATO there is a watch band company that has the rights to the word NATO that have actually sued KZbin creators for using the word. I think it’s pretty pathetic that a company would do that over something so trivial but as far as I know, it’s still happening and good creators have had to pay a fine and remove a lot of their good quality past videos. I don’t want you to be one of them to have to pay the cost. With that said on a positive note, I wish you well on your channel.

[@stuffonatabletop]

Thanks for heads up buddy! I’ll take a note of that. 🙂

[@LexFez]

I have an MN strap but find them unblanced relative to the watch head. They're good for lighter field watches (i.e. Ti, carbon, ABS) but on divers and mechincal chronos? Just too imbalanced.

[@stuffonatabletop]

Agree, works great with smaller and lighter watches

[@corporatetool2563]

Expensive ones are itchy parachute strap. Cheap ones are soft elastic and don't last. I prefer the WWII canvas strap. It was issued with the USN Buships watch.

[@BarrowX]

I don't find my €80 Erikas strap to be itchy at all. Apparently they are made with their in house fabric. I find mine to have sufficient stretch while being tough and durable. And very comfortable.

[@ge48421]

The strap you have is a bit too long for your wrist size. I have a couple of "Erika's Originals" straps ordered to size, which moves the buckle down towards the bottom of my wrist. These straps also have less of a tendency to resize themselves when you take them on and off. The downside: prices start at €80, more if you want black DLC coated hardware. Positives: they can be ordered for many lug widths and wrist sizes. They're not as comfortable on heavy watches whose case back protrudes (so they don't look as thick), the extra material exacerbates the pressure on your wrist.

[@stuffonatabletop]

Thanks for the tip, something to look out for. Maybe I’ll give the Erika ones a try one day! :)

[@slowbluesmaster]

I'd argue that Erica's MN strap is, in fact, perhaps the most talked-about comfortable watch strap. That said, its prices are premium, and both Nick Mankey, and The Watch Steward offer less expensive, equally comfortable elastic straps (I own one of each).

[@stuffonatabletop]

Thank you! I’ll be sure to take a look at the Erica ones!

[@Mike-kr9ys]

​@@stuffonatabletopI can recommend the elastic straps from the Watch Steward as well. I believe you may also be able to get a shorter length, to better fit your wrist. Like you, I find the elastic strap the most comfortable for real world daily wear.

[@stuffonatabletop]

Ohh thank you. Just checked out their website. I like how they size it based on your wrist size. That’s very handy!

[@janhansen67]

Only NDC are from real soldiers strap, The other brands just use The name Marine Nationale. NDC only come in 21mm, thats The size of The elastic 😊 The watches were delivered to the French troops without straps, so they began using the elastic bands they had. Color wise they come in green with yellow stripe, and a solid black. The others are in no way bad, but they are just not “original”, the looping/mounting is also different on the original NDC.

[@stuffonatabletop]

Thanks for the insight! Very interesting how 21mm is the default but yeah makes it the more interesting :)

[@janhansen67]

Youre welcome 😊 When it’s military, the width is either a very well thought out thing, or simply the cheapest option 😂 The original/NDC straps do feel different from all other Marine Nationales I’ve tried. They are soft, quite heavy, and you have to cut them yourself 😊

[@nuudelz3711]

The point of the nato strap is so if the buckle fails you have the secondary. I get everyone is for aesthetics and not functionality in 2024 but reading people cut them and talk about being an enthusiast is weird to me.

[@stuffonatabletop]

Do you mean the springbars? Even if you cut the secondary strap, the single piece strap can still hang onto your watch even if one springbar fails.

[@petarmiloradovic5374]

thats basically an apple watch ultra alpine loop strap XD

[@stuffonatabletop]

Haha sure but these go way back before Apple Watches were a thing

[@petarmiloradovic5374]

@@stuffonatabletop ye i know, but it reminded me that

[@artbanks27]

I wanted to like nato straps but it's not for me.

[@PC-ju6pp]

And then you discover that 2-piece elastic straps are even more comfortable and easier to put on. Then you realize that quart watches are much lighter. Then that lume paint is pretty much a scam, even on Rolex or those brands who put even more layers of it. Titanium or plastic, quartz with tritium tubes.

[@f.kieranfinney457]

Elastic is nasty and cheap looking. That’s why they don’t sell. A single layer Nato strap (is this called a Zulu?) is not much thicker than normal leather straps. It’s the true safety style double layer Nato that gets super thick. And if you get a single layer cordovan leather Nato they’re paper thin, tough and gorgeous looking. See Veblenist. I have the Number 8, and navy (my favorite). Guess I should grab a black one! It’s by far my favorite interchangeable watch strap especially for vintage field watches and dress watches with fixed lug pins.

[@stuffonatabletop]

Thanks for the Veblenist suggestion. Never heard of them before but the straps do look gorgeous! I’ll give them a try one day. No, Zulus are the ones with the oval shaped hardware. Personally don’t find MN straps that cheap looking but I guess it depends on the watch you put it on. Some did mention they get dirty real quick though

[@hrs.ai2018]

The reason it is not so popular because it is either too loose or too tight in any wrist most of the time

[@stuffonatabletop]

I can see why, it’s hard to find the right size

[@Avto28]

Two and a half minutes into the video and still hasn't gotten to the point, still talking about the NATO strap. Not sure that's a very good tactic for an informative video that is supposed to draw people in and engage them from eary on.

[@gitgudchannel]

yeah but not this fake one lmao

[@nwerdscissorhands7475]

That watch (Citizen)is way too big for you my guy, with our without a NATO it looks like you stole your dad's watch.

[@stuffonatabletop]

Haha fair, probably the reason why I don’t wear it as much. I just love the navy heritage with it along with the 8 o’clock crown position

[@user-oj1kk2wf1e]

In Toronto canada I buy a super super clone I bring it to a rolex expert he say it was real rolex . Unbelievable. Your super clone look just like mine. You a expert but a regular person like me will never know. Imagine on nkuwan