MILITARY WATCHES GENERAL INFORMATION AND REVIEWS
Military Watch Straps
There are a vast range of military watch straps which are popular with both serving and retired military. We can't unfortunately cover them all but we have tried to cover the main ones which are either popular or in current use.
THE NATO Strap (UK)
The history of the so called NATO strap goes back to a specification from the UK Ministry of Defence called Defence Standard 66-47 Issue 2 Publication Date 30 March 2001. This specification superseded Def Stan 66-47 Issue 1 dated 13 November 1992 and two earlier standards, Def Stan 66-15 (Part 1) Issue 1 – Strap (Nylon) dated 30 November 1973 and Def Stan 66-15 (Part 2) Issue 1 – Strap (Leather/Nylon) dated 31 January 1974. The current specification data sheet can be downloaded at NATO Strap Current Spec
The strap which many serving and ex military personnel refer to as the NATO or G10 strap got its name because of the form which UK military use to requisition the strap (and other items) from the stores, most likely the term NATO strap is because it has a NATO stock or NSN number, there are actually two NATO stock numbers allocated to the item: Army/Navy 6645-99-124-2986 and RAF 6645-99-527-7059 These numbers are applied to most NATO issue items and identify a product that meets a narrow range of specifications and requirements. NATO straps are now available in a wide range of colours because to an extent it has become a fashion item but at the same time search and rescue favour orange and serving military have their own preferences. I was speaking to two pilots recently who fly for Air Canada and they both wear a Breitling Emergency watch on a black NATO strap which actually looks very good. It is interesting to note that the original NATO strap to which the specification applies came in only one color which was grey and it was originally only supplied to the Royal Navy in a width of 20mm. The fittings were originally chromed brass but I have seen current issue straps which use stainless steel.
The interesting thing about the UK NATO strap is that many people find it rather like a Chinese puzzle when it comes to working out how to wear it! The main reason is that it is 30cm long and they often end up cutting it down and ruining it. For those who hit this problem one of the recommended suppliers below has a great series of pictures showing you exactly how to wear it Wearing a NATO Strap
These straps are easy to source in Europe and the US but I tend to recommend the three firms below.
http://www.gnomonwatches.com/NATOStrap.htm
MWC Watch Company
The Watch Barn
The Bund Strap (Germany)
The Bund Strap was designed in the 1960s for the Luftwaffe (German Airforce) and was originally used on the Heuer Chronograph (see below) but this item also fits watches such as CWC, MWC, Bell and Ross, Omega etc. There are many copies, some good, some bad but the originals can be sourced from Jürgen Hauff in Germany Tel: ++49 (0) 72 31 10 60 40 · Fax: ++49 (0) 72 31 10 60 42 · eMail: info@s-parts.de
The US NATO Strap
The US has issued a wide range of straps over the years but one of the most popular is at this URL Broadarrow this type of strap is the classic US alternative to the Eurpean / UK NATO strap and has the advantage that it does not need to be looped back on itself. The supplier of these straps Broadarrow also sells the Zulu strap see Zulu Strap which is a hybrid of the US and UK NATO strap but with a few interesting twists to the design. The supplier of these straps made by Maratac Broadarrow the NATO Straps are also worth looking at and although dearer than some alternatives when you looks at the detail such as the buckles they are worth the slight extra cost NATO Straps where this becomes is interesting is when they are compared to an original NATO strap at which point it becomes clear the buckles etc are of exceptional quality.
The US ACU Watch Strap
This strap is very popular with serving US military. This is because regulations and standard practice for U.S. ground forces from around 2005 was to allow decentralization of timepiece procurement. Individual units can therefore buy watches for their personnel or can specify specific standards for private purchase. This is the reason you see a mix of G-Shock, CWC, Seiko, Marathon, MWC and Traser watches being used by US troops. Currently no specific watch is issued nor is an allowance made for purchasing one unless the unit commander has grounds to require it. This is the reason you see such a vast range because everyone has their own preference. Interestingly some British Special forces guys I met swear by G-Shock’s and especially the 6900 see Casio G-Shock DW6900 or DW6900 G-Shock
Generally in most military situations there are rules governing tactical situations that limit watches to non-reflective metals such as sand blasted steel, black PVD or plastic although specific requirements are often imposed depending on the circumstances.
The ACU Strap can be purchased from a variety of locations but I recommend buying the original item if possible because the copies are often of poor quality.
Popular Options With Serving Military
Other than the straps above there are numerous other options which are popular with serving military such as the Kevlar strap below. Another popular option is carbon fiber or silicon.
THE NATO Strap (UK)
The history of the so called NATO strap goes back to a specification from the UK Ministry of Defence called Defence Standard 66-47 Issue 2 Publication Date 30 March 2001. This specification superseded Def Stan 66-47 Issue 1 dated 13 November 1992 and two earlier standards, Def Stan 66-15 (Part 1) Issue 1 – Strap (Nylon) dated 30 November 1973 and Def Stan 66-15 (Part 2) Issue 1 – Strap (Leather/Nylon) dated 31 January 1974. The current specification data sheet can be downloaded at NATO Strap Current Spec
The strap which many serving and ex military personnel refer to as the NATO or G10 strap got its name because of the form which UK military use to requisition the strap (and other items) from the stores, most likely the term NATO strap is because it has a NATO stock or NSN number, there are actually two NATO stock numbers allocated to the item: Army/Navy 6645-99-124-2986 and RAF 6645-99-527-7059 These numbers are applied to most NATO issue items and identify a product that meets a narrow range of specifications and requirements. NATO straps are now available in a wide range of colours because to an extent it has become a fashion item but at the same time search and rescue favour orange and serving military have their own preferences. I was speaking to two pilots recently who fly for Air Canada and they both wear a Breitling Emergency watch on a black NATO strap which actually looks very good. It is interesting to note that the original NATO strap to which the specification applies came in only one color which was grey and it was originally only supplied to the Royal Navy in a width of 20mm. The fittings were originally chromed brass but I have seen current issue straps which use stainless steel.
The interesting thing about the UK NATO strap is that many people find it rather like a Chinese puzzle when it comes to working out how to wear it! The main reason is that it is 30cm long and they often end up cutting it down and ruining it. For those who hit this problem one of the recommended suppliers below has a great series of pictures showing you exactly how to wear it Wearing a NATO Strap
These straps are easy to source in Europe and the US but I tend to recommend the three firms below.
http://www.gnomonwatches.com/NATOStrap.htm
MWC Watch Company
The Watch Barn
The Bund Strap (Germany)
The Bund Strap was designed in the 1960s for the Luftwaffe (German Airforce) and was originally used on the Heuer Chronograph (see below) but this item also fits watches such as CWC, MWC, Bell and Ross, Omega etc. There are many copies, some good, some bad but the originals can be sourced from Jürgen Hauff in Germany Tel: ++49 (0) 72 31 10 60 40 · Fax: ++49 (0) 72 31 10 60 42 · eMail: info@s-parts.de
The US NATO Strap
The US has issued a wide range of straps over the years but one of the most popular is at this URL Broadarrow this type of strap is the classic US alternative to the Eurpean / UK NATO strap and has the advantage that it does not need to be looped back on itself. The supplier of these straps Broadarrow also sells the Zulu strap see Zulu Strap which is a hybrid of the US and UK NATO strap but with a few interesting twists to the design. The supplier of these straps made by Maratac Broadarrow the NATO Straps are also worth looking at and although dearer than some alternatives when you looks at the detail such as the buckles they are worth the slight extra cost NATO Straps where this becomes is interesting is when they are compared to an original NATO strap at which point it becomes clear the buckles etc are of exceptional quality.
The US ACU Watch Strap
This strap is very popular with serving US military. This is because regulations and standard practice for U.S. ground forces from around 2005 was to allow decentralization of timepiece procurement. Individual units can therefore buy watches for their personnel or can specify specific standards for private purchase. This is the reason you see a mix of G-Shock, CWC, Seiko, Marathon, MWC and Traser watches being used by US troops. Currently no specific watch is issued nor is an allowance made for purchasing one unless the unit commander has grounds to require it. This is the reason you see such a vast range because everyone has their own preference. Interestingly some British Special forces guys I met swear by G-Shock’s and especially the 6900 see Casio G-Shock DW6900 or DW6900 G-Shock
Generally in most military situations there are rules governing tactical situations that limit watches to non-reflective metals such as sand blasted steel, black PVD or plastic although specific requirements are often imposed depending on the circumstances.
The ACU Strap can be purchased from a variety of locations but I recommend buying the original item if possible because the copies are often of poor quality.
Current Specification US ACU Military Watch Band
Popular Options With Serving Military
Other than the straps above there are numerous other options which are popular with serving military such as the Kevlar strap below. Another popular option is carbon fiber or silicon.