Da Luca One-Piece Chromexcel Watch Strap Discussions | Drop

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Da Luca One-Piece Chromexcel Watch Strap

FULL DISCUSSION

the.watchdoc

Oct 25, 2017

There seems to be a gross error in the labelling of these products. Based on the hardware used, these are both ZULUs, simply 3-ring and 5-ring ZULUs. A NATO strap has more angular, squarish metal keepers, the rounded, thicker and overall more robust hardware used here is characteristic of a ZULU strap. The other criteria used to be the thickness of the material used, but that's an iffy and relative thing nowadays with the advent of premium NATOs.
That said, ZULU hardware can overwhelm smaller watches thanks to their large profile and imposing appearance, as compared to the more subtle hardware of a true NATO. Personally, I'd choose this for a bulky beater, but not anything vintage/thin/small.

Oct 25, 2017

DA-LUCA

331

Da Luca

Oct 25, 2017

the.watchdocZulu is trademarked, so we call them NATO straps. They are really a "NATO style strap" and true square hardware is usually what is seen on "NATO" straps. The problem with the square hardware is that it doesnt allow for 2 pieces of leather to easily go through it and it always seems/looks much weaker. This style hardware is super strong and looks really nice. They look great on smaller vintage watches all the way up to large U Boat/Panerai watches and most watches in between.

Oct 25, 2017

the.watchdoc

Oct 26, 2017

DA-LUCAAccording to this drop, you call your 3 ring ZULUs, and your 5 ring NATOs, so trademark infringement doesn't seem to be your concern? Also, NATOs are copyrighted as well, just like ZULUs. Unless you're the owner of the copyright infamous for going around suing smaller manufacturers for using the terms that have existed since the 1960s? If you were truly avoiding trademark issues, you'd call these military straps. Not NATOs, nor ZULUs, and neither as a prefix for -style.

I completely understand about requiring bigger hardware for thicker leather. This raises two points: ZULUs traditionally have thicker materials in their straps, so again this points to it being a ZULU. The second is that you had two paths to choose: custom hardware or ZULU hardware. You opted for the latter. I know leather straps can be done in the NATO style, because they exist on the market and I have a few of them. They chose to go with thinner yet durable leathers, such as kangaroo leather, or simply opted for custom hardware, sometimes even both.
As for style, that as always is a personal thing. But I wouldn't put a ZULU on a vintage piece unless it was an oversized Flieger.

Oct 26, 2017

DA-LUCA

331

Da Luca

Oct 26, 2017

the.watchdocMD writes the copy for each drop. We send photos and workout the prices with them, etc. We will notify them of the Zulu verbage so it can be omitted from this drop. Thank you for bringing that to our attention.
We do offer custom leather straps and can always source the square hardware which can be used on a thinner leather to make a 100% hand crafted true "NATO" strap, but for our standard straps we chose to go the round hardware route, which seems to do well on most watches. Thanks for your interest in this drop, we hope you enjoy your new DA LUCA strap, if you decide to go ahead and order one.

Oct 26, 2017