In 1973, the British Ministry of Defense released standard 66-15 for “Strap,
Wrist Watch”. Soldiers could fill out Form G1098 (“G10”) and request the
new-style strap for their watches.
The MoD strap was made in Admiralty Gray, 20 mm
wide, and featured two chrome plated keepers and a matching buckle. There were
two lengths of nylon attached to the buckle. One passed through the lugs of the watch and ended at a chrome keeper. The other, longer part
passed under the watch and lugs, through this keeper, and the buckle. This kept
the watch in place on the strap and also served as an extra point of attachment
should one of the lug spring bars fail. Subsequently, many military-issue watches featured fixed or
soldered lug bars rather than spring bars.
In subsequent years, the MoD modified the standard
to reduce the width of the strap to 18 mm and specify stainless steel hardware.
Some regiments have also issued straps in their regimental colors.
Since the UK is a NATO country, that organization
issued a NATO Stocking Number for the watch strap and other militaries began
using it. Since then, it has become known as a “NATO strap”.