How to install a nato strap

1. Buy a watch you prefer or like. the watches listed above are the jcrew timex military watch, dw, timex, etc and below is the seiko submariner, usually watches that come with a nato strap are easy forward, so I am not going too much in detail with it.

2. One important thing is the size of your watch. know your lug size!, if you are going to buy a nato strap. you don't want to have to get the wrong size. standard sizes for nato straps are usually 18mm and 20mm. This one is an 18mm.

3. Have tools handy, your going to need a jewellers screwdriver set, it can be bought from your local hardware store or a specialty store.

4. Use the flat head screwdriver from your set.

and now for the fun part. I used this old timex watch I had as a demo the one on the right, it may not be a good choice for nato strap but its the only one I have that has a metal strap.

5. Use your screw driver and try and loosen up the edge of the metal strap between the lugs.

6. If your watch has a tight pressure pin, try and move the watch strap back so you can get into the gap, which is hidden when the strap is facing down.

7. Use your screw driver and find the ledge on the pressure pin and push it down to the right or left, be careful when you take of the pin, it may fly off, make sure you push the pin on the surface of the lug near the hole first, then carefully use your finger tips too hold off the pin as you move it away from the lug.

8. Put the pressure pin back on carefully.

9. Do the other side, same procedure.

10. Remove the other pressure pin from the strap.

11. Put the pressure pin back on, you might have to use both hands for this one, as you are using your screwdriver and fingers to push it back into the lug holes. Or if your pressure pin on your watch is flexible, you may only need to use just your fingers.

should look something like this.

12. Now when you have both of the pressure pins back on the lugs, its time to install the nato strap. the image below will show you how to install it properly. 1. make sure the 12 mark is facing north to the top of the nato strap. 2. insert the nato strap between the lugs from underneath the pressure pins in both sides. 3. insert the end of the strap into the strap part with the ring in the end. 4. straighten it and align it properly.

13. Your final product should look something like this. Now you can go out with your new watch strap feeling like military special agent and tell your friends there late for the show!......