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Brian Sacawa is the Founder of He Spoke Style and one of the original men’s style influencers.
More This site contains affiliate links from which we may earn a commission.A step by step tutorial on how to put a NATO strap on your watch
NATO straps are a great way to give your watch a completely different look and laid-back, casual feel. Available in a plethora of colors, textures, patterns and materials, the sky is pretty much the limit when it comes to styles. And as NATO straps are relatively inexpensive, it’s possible to own a wide variety of options to pair with a wide variety of outfits.
Important: Before buying a NATO strap, be sure you know your watch’s lug width so you buy the correct size.
Here’s a guide to installing a NATO strap. Instructions below and also included with visuals in the slideshow above.
How To Install A NATO Strap
Step 1: Remove your watch’s regular bracelet and reinstall the spring bars. You’ll need a spring bar tool to accomplish this.
Step 2: Turn the watch over, crown on the left, and grab your NATO strap. Make sure the longer end of the strap is on the bottom and the shorter end is on the top.
Step 3: Thread the NATO strap through the top spring bar and pull through until you’ve threaded about three quarters of the strap through.
Step 4: Thread the strap through the other spring bar and pull through.
Step 5: Take the shorter end of the strap and thread the longer end through.
Step 6: If you haven’t got it exactly perfect, adjust the watch so it’s equidistant between the two buckles.
Step 7: Fold the excess over and thread it through the extra buckles.
Step 8: Marvel at how awesome and different your watch looks now.
Thanks, as always, for reading.
Stylishly Yours,
Brian Sacawa
He Spoke Style
Photography by Rob McIver Photo
Brian Sacawa
Brian Sacawa is the Founder of He Spoke Style and one of the original men’s style influencers. Since 2013, his goal has remained the same: to provide men the advice and inspiration they need to dress well, develop their personal style, and gain more confidence. Brian’s interest and passion for men’s style and luxury watches has led to his writing for The Robb Report, The Rake, and Sotheby’s and he has been quoted on menswear in publications such as The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Today.com, Brides Magazine, and the Huffington Post. He lives in the woods north of Baltimore with his wife, Robin, kitties Nick and Nora, and German Shepherd/Collie mix Charlie.
