Can NATOs be cut down?

Straps, straps, straps, and bracelets!
User avatar
jkbarnes
Senior Forumgod
Senior Forumgod
Posts: 7852
Joined: Wed May 24, 2017 8:39 pm
CW-watches: 3
Location: Virginia, USA

Can NATOs be cut down?

Post by jkbarnes »

I’ve got a NATO I love, but it is exceedingly long. This leads to a ton of doubled up strap under my wrist that bugs the hell out of me. I’m tempted to cut off the retainer portion of the strap and trim down the excess length.

Does anyone have some experience doing this and some tips to share before I give it a go?
Drew
User avatar
missF
CW Forum Poet Laureate
CW Forum Poet Laureate
Posts: 11865
Joined: Thu Mar 06, 2014 2:59 pm
CW-watches: 3
Location: Edinburgh

Re: Can NATOs be cut down?

Post by missF »

Yep, it's easy done. Use an appropriate coin to draw round and create the curve you want to cut along, then cut along it, then heat the cut end with a cigarette lighter flame to melt the plastic and seal it so it doesn't fray. Simples :thumbup:
watching you fail in your quest for a “one watch” has been great entertainment
Watchaholic

‘Imprudently spendy’
Thomcat00
exHowfener
Senior Forumgod
Senior Forumgod
Posts: 1017
Joined: Thu May 28, 2020 6:26 pm
CW-watches: 1

Re: Can NATOs be cut down?

Post by exHowfener »

^^^^ What she said!
Measure twice (or more), cut once.
I started out with nothing and I still have most of it left
User avatar
jkbarnes
Senior Forumgod
Senior Forumgod
Posts: 7852
Joined: Wed May 24, 2017 8:39 pm
CW-watches: 3
Location: Virginia, USA

Re: Can NATOs be cut down?

Post by jkbarnes »

Excellent! Thanks for the quick feedback.
Drew
User avatar
jkbarnes
Senior Forumgod
Senior Forumgod
Posts: 7852
Joined: Wed May 24, 2017 8:39 pm
CW-watches: 3
Location: Virginia, USA

Re: Can NATOs be cut down?

Post by jkbarnes »

The deed is done! I cut off the retainer and trimmed down the excess. Much happier with the overall fit now. No more bulk under my wrist, and it sits much better on my wrist now.
Drew
Leon O
Senior Guru
Senior Guru
Posts: 780
Joined: Sun Jan 19, 2020 7:32 pm
CW-watches: 9

Re: Can NATOs be cut down?

Post by Leon O »

Andrew, did you leave enough length for a NATO bunch?
C7 Rapide Quartz, C60 Pro 300 Chronograph Quartz, C3 Malvern Chronograph, C7 Rapide Chronograph Quartz, C65 AM GT LE, C7 Rapide Chrongraph LE, C65 Trident Diver HW, C5 Malvern 595, C65 Trident GMT Pepsi
User avatar
jkbarnes
Senior Forumgod
Senior Forumgod
Posts: 7852
Joined: Wed May 24, 2017 8:39 pm
CW-watches: 3
Location: Virginia, USA

Re: Can NATOs be cut down?

Post by jkbarnes »

Leon O wrote: Tue Mar 30, 2021 1:15 am Andrew, did you leave enough length for a NATO bunch?
If NATO bunch means the tucking the end in to the keepers under itself, then no. But I’m also quite content with its length as cut - feels perfect!
Drew
Leon O
Senior Guru
Senior Guru
Posts: 780
Joined: Sun Jan 19, 2020 7:32 pm
CW-watches: 9

Re: Can NATOs be cut down?

Post by Leon O »

Please show a picture of your surgery.
C7 Rapide Quartz, C60 Pro 300 Chronograph Quartz, C3 Malvern Chronograph, C7 Rapide Chronograph Quartz, C65 AM GT LE, C7 Rapide Chrongraph LE, C65 Trident Diver HW, C5 Malvern 595, C65 Trident GMT Pepsi
User avatar
jkbarnes
Senior Forumgod
Senior Forumgod
Posts: 7852
Joined: Wed May 24, 2017 8:39 pm
CW-watches: 3
Location: Virginia, USA

Re: Can NATOs be cut down?

Post by jkbarnes »

Leon O wrote: Tue Mar 30, 2021 2:10 am Please show a picture of your surgery.
Here ya go!

019FEB13-2D67-4A7F-9E6C-DD800DECEEA7.jpeg
The finished product with the removed retaining strap and trimmed strap. I cut off a little over an inch.


136026F1-2833-4EAB-AAC7-4D73FAAF6A25.jpeg
As it looks on the underside of my wrist


A57ECF08-0A11-4470-8B28-45D57C184006.jpeg
From another angle
Drew
User avatar
A1soknownas
Senior Guru
Senior Guru
Posts: 632
Joined: Sat Jun 22, 2019 7:40 pm

Re: Can NATOs be cut down?

Post by A1soknownas »

Excellent work and the coin method mention is great.

Might give it a go, I certainly wouldn't have done without seeing this work out so well :thumbup:
Danbailey007
Senior Guru
Senior Guru
Posts: 523
Joined: Mon Sep 24, 2018 7:45 pm
CW-watches: 2

Re: Can NATOs be cut down?

Post by Danbailey007 »

I've just done the same with mine, top advice :thumbup:
Dan

Citizen Eco-Drive
Elliot Brown Tyneham
Multiple Fossil
CW C60 Bronze
Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra
Omega Seamaster 300M No Time To Die
Omega x Swatch MoonSwatch - Moon & Venus & Mars
Leon O
Senior Guru
Senior Guru
Posts: 780
Joined: Sun Jan 19, 2020 7:32 pm
CW-watches: 9

Re: Can NATOs be cut down?

Post by Leon O »

jkbarnes wrote: Tue Mar 30, 2021 2:22 am
Leon O wrote: Tue Mar 30, 2021 2:10 am Please show a picture of your surgery.
Here ya go
Nice clean cut. Keepers on my NATOs always end up on the side of mt wrist, so I had trouble picturing you need to double up under your wrist. Now I understand. Thanks
C7 Rapide Quartz, C60 Pro 300 Chronograph Quartz, C3 Malvern Chronograph, C7 Rapide Chronograph Quartz, C65 AM GT LE, C7 Rapide Chrongraph LE, C65 Trident Diver HW, C5 Malvern 595, C65 Trident GMT Pepsi