NATO vs Zulu vs perlon straps
Three straps that thread under the spring bars or buckle anywhere: how a NATO, a Zulu and a perlon differ, how each wears, and which watch suits which.
Published
NATO
A single long band of woven nylon with a flap. It threads under both spring bars, so if one spring bar breaks the watch stays on your wrist. The flap carries the second keeper and sits under the case, which adds a few millimetres of height and keeps the case off your skin.
Thin and light, cheap enough to own in several colours, and easy to wash. The stripes go back to British military issue straps.
Zulu
Built the same way, but in thicker nylon with heavy rounded rings instead of flat keepers. It feels sturdier and suits big divers and field watches. On a small or thin watch it can look bulky.
Perlon
A strap woven from nylon cord, open enough that the buckle prong goes through it anywhere. That gives you a perfect fit at any wrist size, and it breathes better than anything else in summer. It does not need spring bar removal either: it threads through like a NATO, or fits on the spring bars as a single pass.
Which one?
- Light, safe and cheap, with the most colours: NATO.
- A big diver or a chunky tool watch: Zulu.
- Exact fit, hot weather, or a wrist between holes: perlon.
- A thin dress watch: none of them, really. Try a thin leather strap instead, as the extra layer under the case undoes the slim profile.
Fitting one
Thread the long end down through the top spring bar, then the bottom one, then fold the flap under. Width still has to match the lugs: check yours. The strap matcher shows your watch on a NATO, including regimental stripes, to scale.