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31 December 2023, 07:34 AM | #1 |
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Saved by a NATO
About 30 years ago I was swimming in the warm Caribbean surf. Not a care in the world. As I’m climbing out of the water heading to my next cold beer, I had a quick look at my watch to see if lunch was nearing. Ah…. WHAT THE F&#% ….. NO WATCH …… my one-year-old Sub was gone. Likely a spring bar sheared off. Never felt it go. I turned around and looking out to sea I realized there was no way to know where to even start looking. It was over. A sickening feeling, I never wanted to experience again. Enter NATO straps.
Since then whenever I’m planning to be in an open body of water, I put my watches on NATO straps. Have never lost another one since. I know there are some members here who think its not necessary or just wrong to do this but I’m writing to say I'm very glad I do this. Here’s why. I’ve been spending the last month in Barbados. As always, I strapped up 3 watches I was bringing. Yesterday as I’m again climbing out of the surf, I look down to check the time and this is what I see. WOW. Bracelet or even rubber strap wouldn't have had this result. So lucky.
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31 December 2023, 07:42 AM | #2 |
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Wow glad you didn’t lose another one!! Poseidon must think you have good taste in watches lol
Also your trip sounds like a blast hope you’re having fun!!
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31 December 2023, 08:26 AM | #3 |
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Yikes! What a save! Yes, that would be a crushing experience to lose a watch that way.
Barbados, spectacular vacation choice, was there 3 years ago and loved every minute of it. Enjoy....maybe a G-Shock for swimming from now on? |
31 December 2023, 08:32 AM | #4 |
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A watch is only as good as its spring bars. On a divers watch a screw in bar might make more sense and be more secure underwater.
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31 December 2023, 08:53 AM | #5 |
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A close thing!
Nato straps were, of course, designed to be used with fixed strap bars. I’ve never really liked using them with spring bars as I think the bit of extra movement can work them loose, which I suspect has happened here. I had a similar occurrence with my Orfina. There is, of course, a fixed bar option from Tudor! |
31 December 2023, 08:57 AM | #6 |
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If this happens with a normal bracelet, your watch would be gone. Natos are great!
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31 December 2023, 09:25 AM | #7 |
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31 December 2023, 09:27 AM | #8 |
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You must be Flash Gordon in the water !
Fixed bar MN is next on the list for you my friend. |
31 December 2023, 09:46 AM | #9 |
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Could it be that the nato dragged the springbar out from between the lugs? That can happen when the springbars aren't smooth, but have shoulders like the ones used in no-holes cases. Or when the nato isn't quite as wide as the lug width.
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31 December 2023, 10:02 AM | #10 |
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30 years apart - springbar fails.
MTBF = 15 yrs. Pretty good since we never know when one will fail. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
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31 December 2023, 10:36 AM | #11 | |
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Quote:
Still waiting for a Erika’s MN strap to arrive from overseas.
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31 December 2023, 01:46 PM | #12 |
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Nice save, Rick! The Nylon Nation comes thru!
dP
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31 December 2023, 04:55 PM | #13 |
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Very lucky!
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1 January 2024, 12:38 AM | #14 |
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Saved by a NATO
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1 January 2024, 01:45 AM | #15 |
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I've personally only seen spring bars fail on natos. They apply a lot more stress at angles other than the pure shear of a fixed bracelet.
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1 January 2024, 04:43 AM | #16 |
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Close one
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1 January 2024, 05:57 AM | #17 | ||||
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Thanks Dan. I'll always be a proud member of the nation!! Too Close
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1 January 2024, 06:01 AM | #18 |
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Right on the money. It happened once to me. The sub was on it's bracelet and it was gone. Had to be a spring bar or pin somewhere. I'll never wear any watch on a bracelet in open water again.
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Simple solutions solve complexed problems more often than complexed solutions solve simple problems! |
1 January 2024, 06:28 AM | #19 | ||||
2024 ROLEX DATEJUST41 Pledge Member
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My only experience with losing a watch has been with it on it's bracelet. Had to be a spring bar at the lugs of the clasp or a pin in the links. All I know for sure is it was gone. Who knows what can happen. The only thing I know for sure is it happens with a NATO strap on the watch you have a back up that keeps the watch on your wrist as in this case.
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1 January 2024, 06:56 AM | #20 |
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You have angered Poseidon! The Tudor was on his Wish List.
j/k
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1 January 2024, 10:56 AM | #21 |
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Wow. You would think Rolex would put a solid bar or screw in bars on the Deep Sea for this very reason??
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk |
1 January 2024, 11:17 AM | #22 |
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1 January 2024, 09:29 PM | #23 |
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Yeah well he will just have to wait
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Simple solutions solve complexed problems more often than complexed solutions solve simple problems! |
1 January 2024, 10:26 PM | #24 |
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Your avatar always makes me hungry.
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1 January 2024, 11:27 PM | #25 |
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Sorry it happened but I prefer the bracelet and insurance.
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2 January 2024, 07:31 AM | #26 |
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