Neutered Natos...

[hoppyjr]

It's no secret that I'm a whore for nylon straps, so my BB41 immediately went that way upon arrival. On smaller (40-41 mm) watches I usually like all the nato hardware and find it makes the watch "wear larger" but on this watch I didn't care for the hardware on the six o'clock side. Maybe it's because this is a wider 22mm strap as opposed to the 20mm I'm more used to.

The thinness of this model really called for something different, so I neutered the strap by removing the "flap" and front hardware. I realize it's less "balanced" in appearance, but it's no different than the stock Tudor nato strap since they don't have a flap.

I did this on a couple old natos I had laying around, so I still have the original ones. I considered Terry's Royal XL but had these already.

Thoughts?




and for comparison:

[Panerai7]

Pass through further with the buckle on the opposite side of the wrist
IMHO of course

But yeah already huge improvement without the nose ring at 6 o'clock

[hoppyjr]

Pass through further with the buckle on the opposite side of the wrist
IMHO of course

But yeah already huge improvement without the nose ring at 6 o'clock

I actually like the buckle and hardware not being under my wrist. It's less to scratch my desk. Also, when positioned with hardware centered under wrist the holes come all the way up to the six o'clock side of the watch head.

[HapaHapa]

Its much better with the extra flap removed. The extra hardware doesn't suit that watch style.

[Panerai7]

Pass through further with the buckle on the opposite side of the wrist
IMHO of course

But yeah already huge improvement without the nose ring at 6 o'clock

I actually like the buckle and hardware not being under my wrist. It's less to scratch my desk. Also, when positioned with hardware centered under wrist the holes come all the way up to the six o'clock side of the watch head.

Agreed on the holes, they make too many of them to accommodate a 4 inch wrist. I'm glad some don't have that many holes I think natostrapco had those long time ago.
Anyway looks awesome either way without the flap and the ring.
Here in less holes one

[nweash]

I guess I fall into the neutered and circumcised category.

Cut the 2nd piece off. Shorten the strap so it just fits past the first keeper. Break off the 2nd keeper with my leatherman tool.

Never liked the unbalanced look of having all that extra strap at 12 o'clock.

[Panerai7]

Terry's Shizzle doesn't have as many holes which helps as well

[hoppyjr]

Other colors

[i29alpha]

Nice!

I neuter all my natos. I don't like the extra thickness or extra hardware. Makes them wear much nicer cleaned up.

[hoppyjr]

Thanks fellas. With the wider 22mm strap and this style watch I think it works better this way.

On other styles I think the standard nato configuration works well too.

[matt.wu]

I'm in the minority. I much, much, much prefer the balance of the hardware on both sides. I personally really don't care for the single strap look especially depending on the lug hole placement and size of wrist.

[dosei]

BB41 looks good!

[CGSshorty]

I'm in the minority. I much, much, much prefer the balance of the hardware on both sides. I personally really don't care for the single strap look especially depending on the lug hole placement and size of wrist.

I'm with Matt on this. I've tried single pass Zulus but always end up taking them off.

[Panerai7]

I'm in the minority. I much, much, much prefer the balance of the hardware on both sides. I personally really don't care for the single strap look especially depending on the lug hole placement and size of wrist.

Lol, glad they don't come pre-neutered

[TSD]

I'm in the minority. I much, much, much prefer the balance of the hardware on both sides. I personally really don't care for the single strap look especially depending on the lug hole placement and size of wrist.

I'm with Matt on this. I've tried single pass Zulus but always end up taking them off.

I hit 'em both, and treat it on more of a case-by-case basis. Terry's neutered all of mine but the herringbone strap. That admiralty gray is a perfect fit on a 14060M, and brings it up a little higher. Others, like the Autavia, just need to be kept low.

[Jeep99dad]

I like it better with the Buckle moved father away so hardware doesn't show

[shaneotool]

I neuter all of my natos too. I wear the buckle under my wrist - I dont mind the holes getting close to the watch.

I think natos with all the hardware look a lot better when not being worn. Just sitting on a desk, it looks killer - when on the wrist, it makes the watch sit up too high and there is all this extra BS on both sides of the wrist.

[hoppyjr]

I like it both ways.

On black nato the full hardware works well.




Not too tall either.

[koda240]

I've always loved the look of the typical nato hardware so not sure if I would neuter a strap but I do like your pics

[ncstate1201]

I like what you did to the strap and combo, but why not just buy a Zulu?

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

[HapaHapa]

I like what you did to the strap and combo, but why not just buy a Zulu?

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

Sometimes the style/ combination you want is only available with the extra flap (sold out, not offered, etc.)

[hoppyjr]

I like what you did to the strap and combo, but why not just buy a Zulu?

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

That's a really good question!

Actually, I have a bag full of Zulu straps and they look on this watch. I really prefer the square hardware of a nato and the small, flat buckle as used on nato and "RAF" military style straps.

[gonzomantis]

I like what you did to the strap and combo, but why not just buy a Zulu?

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

That's a really good question!

Actually, I have a bag full of Zulu straps and they look on this watch. I really prefer the square hardware of a nato and the small, flat buckle as used on nato and "RAF" military style straps.

Agreed. The big hardware on most ZULU straps tends to be too bulky for my taste.

[raf42]

I like it both ways.

Whatever works for you, no judgement here

Seriously though, I've neutered probably 3/4 of my natos, both to reduce the thickening factor and for a cleaner look. Still like the full ones on certain watches occasionally. Also definitely prefer the hardware on most natos to the zulu style rings.

That Tudor looks great on any strap though!

[2ar2c1]

no worries: