Zulu straps how secure are they

lotsofstufftogo said:

Ive been thinking about doing some mods to a watch or two and was curious how secure are Zulu straps. They dont look to secure at all and Id rather not lose a nice watch if I can help it. Growing up with Casio watch bands I know my watch isnt going anyplace soon.

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They are very secure. Lotsof, no worries.

The one piece model is safer than regular straps, because the band actually goes under the watch case, so if a springbar breaks or pops out, the watch will keep on the strap. :-!

Good answer Vintage

Yeah, I'd say the safest.

I'd say safer than a resin band, and at least as safe as a casio velcro band.

Originally I thought they were supposed to be fastened using the same pattern as you'd use on a motorbike helmet (if you've ever used a motorbike helmet, you'd know what I mean). That would make them extremely secure. However, it looks like you're just supposed to fold the excess strap back under both loops. It's still very secure.

Very secure. In addition to what has been said, you don't have to worry about the spring bar on the buckle popping either. The buckle is very well sewn into the strap.

Sweet news guys thanks for the info.|>

Having said all that, I have decided I don't like velcro or zulu straps on G-shocks. They're great on my Seiko diver, but when you have to use strap adaptors instead of just having it threaded through the springbars, it just doesn't really work for me. I think the strap adaptors are too wide for my wrist, or something - even the factory ones.

Believe it or not, it's far too secure !!! It's always amazed me, as someone who has worn a watch in some fairly tough environments, That people are more worried about losing their watch than their arm!

Get a Zulu strap caught on something at the wrong time and it will pull your arm off, believe me! Far better a conventional strap that will break out the springbars at a time like that. You can afford to lose a watch far more, even if it is an expensive one. :-s

.

havent got one....yet !!!! but i heard lots of recommendations from the divers forum.
seems like they used the zulu on the seiko monster when they dive.
i really got to get one !!!!!

Thanks for the pic Vintage, Ive never seen the back of a Zulu and didnt know it had a buckle. II thought the strap was based on some kind of friction adjustment, thanks again for the pic.

TTT said:

Having said all that, I have decided I don't like velcro or zulu straps on G-shocks. They're great on my Seiko diver, but when you have to use strap adaptors instead of just having it threaded through the springbars, it just doesn't really work for me. I think the strap adaptors are too wide for my wrist, or something - even the factory ones.

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you could do a mil-shock mod?!;-)

Vintage said:

They are very secure. Lotsof, no worries.

The one piece model is safer than regular straps, because the band actually goes under the watch case, so if a springbar breaks or pops out, the watch will keep on the strap. :-!

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why do not quote...
|>

Never truer words; if you get a one piece Zulu strap trapped in machinery or snagged on something in the field, you best have a sharp knife at hand fast.

The watch head may detach, just remember the strap is firmly fastened to you!!! I always wore resin bands for this very reason, as they will always fail at the springbar first.

If you want the look, get a two piece Zulu, you can always buy or be issued a new watch.

Q-6

Artistmike said:

Believe it or not, it's far too secure !!! It's always amazed me, as someone who has worn a watch in some fairly tough environments, That people are more worried about losing their watch than their arm!

Get a Zulu strap caught on something at the wrong time and it will pull your arm off, believe me! Far better a conventional strap that will break out the springbars at a time like that. You can afford to lose a watch far more, even if it is an expensive one. :-s

.

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Queen6 said:

Never truer words; if you get a one piece Zulu strap trapped in machinery or snagged on something in the field, you best have a sharp knife at hand fast.

The watch head may detach, just remember the strap is firmly fastened to you!!! I always wore resin bands for this very reason, as they will always fail at the springbar first.

If you want the look, get a two piece Zulu, you can always buy or be issued a new watch.

Q-6

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Funny you mention that - I was actually thinking about this the other day. The force required to snap a zulu would be something huge, like trying to break a seatbelt.

Artistmike said:

Believe it or not, it's far too secure !!! It's always amazed me, as someone who has worn a watch in some fairly tough environments, That people are more worried about losing their watch than their arm!

Get a Zulu strap caught on something at the wrong time and it will pull your arm off, believe me! Far better a conventional strap that will break out the springbars at a time like that. You can afford to lose a watch far more, even if it is an expensive one. :-s

.

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yup...thats why whatever u do that involves machinery, mountain climbing and such...its not wise to leave anything hanging loose...hair must be tied or wear a crash helmet...excess strap from rucksack is either dipped in or trimmed out and such..funny that divers find it useful...wont want my hand to be caught in something underwater:-s

eitherway...if zulu/nato is available in ur area..do get it!! cause none is available in Malaysia:roll: (not that i know of)

Hi

I've had real problems getting my Maratac zulu to work on my Frogman. The bars are 18mm not 16mm like other G's. This movement causes my spring bar to pop out if you move the adaptors and the watch ends up loose. On my G5600 it sits just fine.

Buzzbait, do you have a fix for this as I know your frog sits happy on a zulu? I have the skinny wrist problem so a zulu on my frog will make it sit much better.

Regards

Matt

I think someone made 1mm spacers from a plastic ball point pen tube. One on each side of the strap should do the trick. :-!

Honestly:
A Frogman does NOT deserve to be put on a Zulu or NATO. The expressional design f the Frogman is created not only by the bezel but also by the asymmetric strap.
There are several ways to secure a Zulu/ NATO. Either way there are no ends hanging loose or getting in the way. Diver use NATOs for fastening watches and other equipment over a wetsuit. Normally straps are too short for this matter.

As on the topic:Zulus and NATOs are said to be the most secure way to fit a watch- no wonder issued mil-watches have this kind of strap. After all NATO and Zulu already refer to military
Question is: will you ever get into such a situation that you could loose your watch?

ALL Diver's watches from Citizen and Seiko come either in rubber or metal bracelet versions. If the failing of springbars would be a matter they surely would offer such option- since they are the leading sellers in this section!

"You get out of water and all is dry - except for the textile strap.."