ONE OF THE biggest trends to invade the watch industry in recent years, Nato straps are now being seen on just about every watch from cheap timepieces to Rolex masterpieces. The strap made its debut the British Ministry of Defence in 1973 as a hard-wearing alternative to leather and metal, and today is available in a variety of bold colours and different, though tough, materials.
Bangkok watch lovers wanting to cash in the trend should be sure to make a date with the annual Central International Watch Fair running through September 25 at Central Chidlom’s Event Hall, where the striped straps are very much in evidence.
Take the Issey Miyake Watch Project, for example, which recently released its new “C” series by leading Japanese designer Ichiro Iwasaki. The C boasts an elegant grey Nato strap, which goes perfectly with its simple but smart dial.
For Iwasaki, the challenge of taking on the chronograph design was how to achieve a quality watch in a conventional style but with a beautiful face. He found the answer lay in delicate numerals and markers and in removing unnecessary elements to isolate the pure chronograph.
The striking Gucci’s GG2570 model also incorporates a Nato-style nylon strap bearing the green-red-green or blue-red-blue stripe. Named as a homage to Gucci Creative Director Alessandro Michele’s lucky number, “25” and Gucci’s hallmark decade, the 1970s, it has a squared-off, slightly rounded design.
This typically 1970s geometric form is the canvas for alternate variants around the GG2570 theme; some have a depth of texture achieved through brushed and polished bezels, which gives the watch a sportive allure; other styles have a polished stainless steel bezel, for a more classic look. The sun-brushed dials feature the “G” monogram shadow in a three dimensional interpretation which gives iconic identity where indexes are presented in a variety of styles. All pieces are Swiss made with a stainless steel or gold-plated case.
Also complementing the military style and mood is Daniel Wellington’s Classic Oxford 36 model, whose simple and minimalistic dial is offset by the playful colours of the Nato strap. Perfect for both formal and casual occasions, the watch with its ultra-thin case is available in rose-gold and silver.
This source first appeared on The Nation Life.