I just have a short question: What do you think about NATO watch straps? I think they look excellent on classic-looking dive watches. NATO straps give them a casual, yet preppy look. The only downside, I think, is that people who don't know anything about watches think that you’re wearing a cheap watch because of the nylon strap. Does the Snob approve?
By “NATO” straps, I assume you’re referring to those thin strips of nylon that urban hipsters are wearing on their faux vintage military watches in a hollow attempt to emulate a more genuine era. Nylon straps obviously had their use for soldiers as a cheap, durable means to strap on a watch, but they don’t belong on any watch to which a proper leather strap can be fitted. In fact, they don’t belong on any watch that costs more than the strap itself unless it’s a Rolex Military Submariner. But then you have no choice. And if you have one of those, you can wear whatever damn strap you want.
The short answer is: No, I don’t approve. These straps don’t make your watch look cheap. They make you look cheap.