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British Ministry of Defence

Why You Shouldn’t Call It a NATO Strap—And What It Actually Is

The familiar NATO strap began as a British MoD G-10 in 1973. Here’s why the common name is historically misleading—and what the original strap actually was.

By WatchRanker Team 2 min read
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The strap commonly called a NATO strap was introduced by the British Ministry of Defence in 1973, not designed or branded by NATO. NATO’s own account says it was nicknamed the “G-10” after the G-1098 form used to issue it. “NATO strap” remains familiar, widespread usage; the historical distinction is about where the design came from, not whether people may use the name.

Why is it called a NATO strap if NATO didn’t design it?

The name grew out of British military supply terminology, rather than a NATO design or product brand. NATO’s history page identifies the 1973 British Ministry of Defence (MoD) strap as the starting point and explains that its nickname, “G-10,” came from the G-1098 form used for issue. The term “NATO strap” later became the common name for this style.

NATO itself makes the distinction directly: the strap “is not actually a NATO-branded strap,” but was used by the forces of a NATO member country. Its history page likewise says the strap was created by the British MoD in 1973. NATO’s history of the strap and its earlier explainer provide the primary-source account.

What was the original G-10 like?

In NATO’s historical account, the original was an admiralty-grey nylon strap, 20 mm wide, with chrome-plated brass buckles and two spring bars. It was made longer so it could be worn over a uniform. Those details describe the original design in NATO’s account; they are not a universal specification for every strap sold today as a NATO strap.

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A UK Ministry of Defence FOI response describes a procured one-piece grey nylon strap with a buckle and says that the response found no current Defence Standards for watches or straps. That specific answer does not establish an official modern specification covering all commercial versions. Read the UK MoD FOI response.

Was the Goldfinger strap a NATO strap?

Not the 1973 G-10. The striped strap worn by Sean Connery in Goldfinger (1964) was a regimental-style band. It appeared nine years before the British MoD introduced the G-10, so its later association with the NATO strap is retrospective rather than evidence that the military design already existed.

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Does the name “NATO strap” create a legal problem?

A 2024 Time+Tide Watches article reports that the term was trademarked by International Watchman Inc. in 2010 and describes enforcement against some small businesses. That report is not enough to establish current registration, ownership, jurisdiction or enforcement status. It should not be read as legal advice or as proof that using the common name is currently illegal. Read the article and its account of the dispute.

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What should you call one when shopping?

“NATO strap” is still the term most people recognize for this style. If you want wording that describes the construction without implying NATO made it, “one-piece nylon watch strap” is a useful alternative. For a replacement, check the watch’s lug width and the strap’s length, then choose hardware and construction suited to how you wear it. These are practical selection points, not requirements of one official modern standard.

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