Who makes the best Marine Nationale (MN) parachute strap??

[@jameswelch6535]

French Naval divers not French Marines. Issued watches didn’t have bands so they took various existing material to make watch straps and they found that the elastic webbing from parachute gear was an ideal strap to work in a marine environment.

[@strandvaskeren]

Whats up with all the "well done" and "great video" when the guy clearly has no clue how these straps work? He even admits so in the video. How can you make a "Who makes the best.." video when you can't even be bothered to try the straps on even once?

[@utewatchco1468]

Did you watch the video? I said that I do not wear the straps frequently. I also said I have worn them. If you have owned some of those straps in video you would understand that setting them up as designed is not always and easy feat. Heck that is why one of them companies even posted a video showing how to install it. Thanks for your comments. LOL

[@culleton8849]

Literally thought the same thing, guy says multiple times he has no idea or doesn't know haha

[@utewatchco1468]

@@culleton8849 the only strap I said was confusing was the Watch Steward strap. Do you own one? If not then you do not understand that it is not self explanatory on how to use it.

[@DrDubzz]

@@utewatchco1468 The Watch Steward Strap is awful. Very complicated to set up (relative to other straps) and lots of extra material for no particular reason

[@BuckFush08]

@@DrDubzz Actually, the Watch Steward carries what they call the "Minimalist Strap", which is the strap that doesn't go between your watch and your wrist... the watch sits directly against your wrist. However, that is NOT the version of the Watch Steward strap he displays in this video... clearly, he never tried on the Watch Steward strap he displays, or he forgot how it fits, as that version DOES sit between your watch and your wrist. I have the Watch Steward Minimalist, and it happens to be very comfortable. Haven't tried all of the other straps in this video, and I certainly don't claim to be any expert in this area. Thanks for the review, though.

[@johnhebert3855]

There has been another strap --Mickey's--that entered the market since this was made. I have all three. The best of the bunch is "The Watch Steward" (Original configuration only), for three reasons. #I. The easiest to latch/unlatch. #2. The hardware stays put; unlike that on the Erika style, which has to be constantly readjusted to maintain proper wrist tension. #3. The Original's double loop design make it the only choice for your heavier sport watches.

[@KRW628]

as I understand it, the green elastic ribbon was used to attach light weight gear to their harness or uniform. NOTHING would be attached to the parachute. Nothing can be in the way of normal opening/inflation. They did use that material to make watch straps for themselves, and it caught on. Lots of producers are making MN-style NATOs. I was wearing my BluShark Alpha MN strap all day today. And you remove the springbars to attach the strap. the hooks are worn under the wrist.

[@utewatchco1468]

Michael good info. I was informed they held a cover on the reserve chute. But like I said in the video I am regurgitating info. So what it is actually used for I have no idea.

[@Casloveskim]

If you take a close look at the Areazur tap 511 french chute, you can see for yourself. The yellow striped ribbon is used for opening the two flaps from the reserve chute, up and down. The chute is powered by a pre loaded spring. Ur welcome :)

[@roamready9732]

I think there is room for inovation; I think a 20mm nylon buckle that rests under the wrist would be a faster closure than the metal hardware everyone is currently using. Heck, even some "hook-and-loop" might be an alternative 🤔

[@utewatchco1468]

I believe there is room for innovation also. I personally do not like the underwear elastic, I will not be perusing a new design of it.

[@kpjimmy]

I have em all pretty much. They all pretty much have it's place for my collection. I do and will always be back to EO though. Something about the fit just seems right whenever I get one from her. All the other ones are nice and some are super plush vs others, but I keep coming back to EO. I have tried Watch Geckos' version and they are pretty decent. For the price it's totally worth it IMO.

[@utewatchco1468]

Thanks Jim!

[@RMA_432_]

I have the Watch Gecko. It is well made, but does appear to be very similar to the Erica's. I definitely want an Erica's, but they are pricey. Any sources on where hers are made? I'd honestly not pay $60 for a Chinese made strap when the one I got for $20 works fine.

[@kpjimmy]

@@RMA_432_ No clue sorry. But when comparing all the ones I have to Erika's, there's always something there that I like.It may be the hand stitching? I don't know, but I cannot honestly say, nope I'm not going to need to shop at her place now because of "X" store has it for half price. For me it's not just the price, it's the product overall. Can you get similar ones out there right now? Yes, like you said you have the WG one, which I have a few of them a well, but they are no EO's in my opinion. There's something there that I cannot really peg down as a single reason, but it's something I like.

[@utewatchco1468]

@@RMA_432_ I personally would not try to circumvent Erica's supply chain.

[@RMA_432_]

@@utewatchco1468 I will probably end up buying an Erica's anyway lol. I do like the fact that they're handmade and very customizable. I'd say that makes it worth the money for sure.

[@markwayne7580]

I really liked the original strap I bout it directly from NDC

[@utewatchco1468]

Mark so did I.

[@billbones1000]

Ya, I can figure out how to put on that third one either. Anybody have any clue? I have two sitting in the watch box

[@tylerd5768]

Cool strap, absurdly high price for the EO though, total lunacy. When antiquated becomes niche and unreasonably valuable hahaha. Thanks for the overview 👍

[@utewatchco1468]

Thanks Tyler for the comment.

[@peterd5901]

Being upset that someone makes an afforable version of the strap is lunacy in a capitalist society. Literally every product that exists is a "copy" of a product that came before it. What sets Erika's apart that deserves that price? For me it's not worth it.

[@pelicanhead]

I completely agree. Henry Ford made automobiles widely available to every class of citizen, should we smash up our cars if they're not manufactured by Ford? It's quite a silly statement really. I was gifted one of Erika's straps which is good quality but the fabric used is a little stiff and not as comfortable as straps l have that are a tenth of the price of Erika's. This chap better start tearing up his trousers and shirts and smashing his televisions and computers if that's the way he truly feels.

[@UranTCG]

Yeah if you're gonna fault someone for making the same product with cheaper materials and less QC in the same factory, are you even a fan of the free market?

[@elflakeador09]

The EO strap looks dog rough in the video

[@seanlin5110]

I really wanna know more about the one you forgot how to put on a watch! but you just skipped it, even didn't show the brand name.

[@utewatchco1468]

It is from the Watch Steward.

[@billbones1000]

Ya I can't figure out how to attach mine either. Any idea?

[@idrinkwine]

Buying from EO rewards the innovator, and seems to get you a better quality strap that will last longer. Your mileage may vary.

[@appleman1013]

I have the third strap and have no idea how to put it, any tips?

[@mrdeepak4284]

STARP on 3:12 ..don't know how to put on I am still struggling with that ...help.me.if you know.already

[@Ale-kt7hk]

HELP guys I'm not able to assemble the 3-piece one and I can't find tutorials .. can someone help me ?? 🙏 thanks

[@MrSloika]

I'm sorry, but that's not the 'original French strap' despite what the seller claims. Original straps used by the Marine Nationale were made by the grunts themselves out of parachute bits that could no longer be used for making jumps. To claim one of these straps is the 'original' it would have to have been made by a French Marine grunt back in the 60s. What all these things are is MN STYLE straps. Each company has its own interpretation, and that's fine, but no one should use the word "original' when describing these things.

[@utewatchco1468]

The company that calls it original is still getting them from the French military surplus. That is original imo.

[@MrSloika]

@@utewatchco1468 What are they getting from French military surplus? Straps made by grunts back in the 60s?

[@utewatchco1468]

@@MrSloika I was told by that company that those straps are still made for the parachutes today. That is where they're getting them from. They are surplus from them.

[@ndcstraps]

To clear up any confusion - The absolute original version of this type of strap was a piece of MN chute elastic stitched together as a one-piece that was fitted to the diver watches and stretched over the wetsuit and they were indeed constructed by the MN divers you refer to as "Grunts". It was NDCstraps who added the metal hook and rectangular piece from the parachute (reserve chute case) and made it into much more of a watch strap. NDC was first then other styles followed. The difference is NDC uses only new or new old stock (NOS) MN parachute elastic from surplus. This is only made in the original factory in France that made it in the 1960's and 1970's It is now not used. I am happy to talk about this with anyone so feel free to get in contact. Best regards Jacko @NDCstraps

[@kylelevy2534]

This is a video that needed to be made. Thanks for the info!!

[@utewatchco1468]

You got it Kyle. Have a great day.

[@VanHellsing12]

Oh my! So socially just at the end there bud.

[@VanHellsing12]

@Mr_ E54 🤣

[@Timemachinefi]

Definately NDC is best they are 100% genuine MN material

[@utewatchco1468]

I agree with you

[@ndcstraps]

Thank you.

[@duckadiesel4182]

Lol, I waited until the end of the video to ask you if you are going to make a version of the stretchy straps and then the scissors came out haha. NVM

[@utewatchco1468]

Nope. I am getting tired of copies flying out the door everyday. I will do my best to not be a part of it. Crazy story, about 6 months ago I was working with a manufacturer make a one-off strap. They could not get the material right to what I wanted, so I scrapped the design. Now that strap is being sold by most the shops you see online.

[@adam_ncl]

First

[@SAMX4949]

Felt like more than a video about Marine Nationale straps it was about exposing someone who copied Erika's.

[@utewatchco1468]

It was about the current offerings using the term MN.

[@SAMX4949]

@@utewatchco1468 Is the manufacturer one from a brand called Midas's?

[@utewatchco1468]

@@SAMX4949 what color of strap you are you referring to?

[@SAMX4949]

@@utewatchco1468 The one that didn't make the cut😁

[@utewatchco1468]

@@SAMX4949 it is one of the generic ones that Cheapnatostrap and others carry.

[@franciscoreiser1293]

Snob

[@utewatchco1468]

Absolutely. lol

[@pelicanhead]

A watch doesn't have a head. It is simply a watch. Please attempt to refrain from saying "watch head", it sounds silly.

[@utewatchco1468]

Thanks for the concern.

[@pelicanhead]

@@utewatchco1468 Of course.

[@user-op1zq6tj2z]

Zzzz

[@utewatchco1468]

Lol!

[@Marshal77]

Whats that brown strap? Cant seem to find that in erikas pages.

[@utewatchco1468]

Email her and ask. It is directly from her.

[@firstname_rene]

great video... have Erika's and watch steward they are both solid options depending on the watch.

[@utewatchco1468]

They are. What works for one watch doesn't always work for the other. So it's good to have options.

[@everettmeadows5833]

Well done, Terry!

[@utewatchco1468]

Thanks brother!