Omega Nato Replica - PhenomeNato

[nikoel]

Hey Guys

Now ask anyone who bought the Seamaster Spectre and they will tell you how apparent it has been that the stock Nato with our reps needs to go (this is why I ordered mine with the metal bracelet, but I digress)

I was one of the first people to order a PhenomeNato. A Nato strap made by http://phenomenato.com - The guy set out to replicate Omega OEM Nato's that is miles above anything else on the market right now. You could still get the Omega OEM Nato but I rather point to the southern regions of my body and tell those guys to suck it for the amount of money that they are asking


First up I'm not affiliated with the guy in any way and you can find out more about what other people think here: http://forums.watchuseek.com/f222/phenomenato-straps-3166802.html

I Paid $40USD for the strap. In the photos you will find the best generic Nato that I could buy before I got my dirty paws on the Phenome. My impressions have been very positive and I'm both delighted by the strap and the hardware (something that is often overlooked)

Also anyone with the latest Spectre (v2) your lugs are 21.5mm - get the 22mm nato - if you're super anal about the fitment, curve your springbars to increase the distance the strap has to travel. Although personally I don't think it's necessary

I'll let the pictures do the talking. They have not been photoshopped in any way

Tl;dr - Buy it

 

[Retina]

I ordered mine two weeks back and he still has not shipped my order yet. I would go ahead with a pinch of salt. IMO, the ones which you can get from current suppliers at a much cheaper cost is similar.

 

[nikoel]

I ordered mine two weeks back and he still has not shipped my order yet. I would go ahead with a pinch of salt. IMO, the ones which you can get from current suppliers at a much cheaper cost is similar.

I think he was flooded with the initial orders and now is trying to fulfil them but is a bit behind

I'm curious; how can you say that other suppliers can produce the same product at cheaper cost when you haven't handled the actual product made by PhenomeNato?

 

[Retina]

I think he was flooded with the initial orders and now is trying to fulfil them but is a bit behind

I'm curious; how can you say that other suppliers can produce the same product at cheaper cost when you haven't handled the actual product made by PhenomeNato?

Because I've spent two years finding one. And I've owned a very very big range of NATO straps. There is only so many suppliers for the core product. He does not make the NATO straps himself but sources the material from one of the 3 big companies that supplies nylon. There is no magical ingredient TBH, if he doesn't make the nylon himself it's going to be the same as what I already have.

The only thing he has going for him is the adjustable hardware which none of the suppliers I know have it.


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[mavericmatt]

I've been waiting ages for these to surface! Look really good. It would be great to compare one to the gen nato

 

[tonywolf]

Just ordered one[emoji106]

 

[warcelo]

I have a GEN nato and that looks very close.
The GEN has polished not brushed metal parts, the color seems to be correct.


DSC_6940 by Marcelo marques, on Flickr

 

[gotsung]

I ordered mine within an hour of pre-order opening. and he barely shipped it last friday... smhhh

 

[joe.p]

Because I've spent two years finding one. And I've owned a very very big range of NATO straps. There is only so many suppliers for the core product. He does not make the NATO straps himself but sources the material from one of the 3 big companies that supplies nylon. There is no magical ingredient TBH, if he doesn't make the nylon himself it's going to be the same as what I already have.

The only thing he has going for him is the adjustable hardware which none of the suppliers I know have it.


He has had the nylon custom made for him from a supplier in China and it is made to his specs as well as the hardware.
I've not had my hands on one yet but the word is they are worth the money, I guess only time will tell.

 

[Retina]

ive gotten my nato straps yesterday after ordering it when it was first released.

The hardware is alright, the floating keeper is a big change from conventional suppliers which fix them and its extremely annoying when the strap isnt long enough.

I think the straps are well made, but nothing which can be gotten cheaper from timefactors.

The hardware of timefactors wins in terms of detail and quality imo, phenome can still further the chamfers given that its priced at 40usd.

The material is probably the best you are going to get closest to an omega quality material without the hefty price tag. But the improvement over timefactor's nato is probably just a little, not overwhelmingly better.

I think it lived up to its hype, it is just a pity that it took longer than expected to roll out the product, it would have done much better if it was released shortly after the spectre movie.

 

[gotsung]

ive gotten my nato straps yesterday after ordering it when it was first released.

The hardware is alright, the floating keeper is a big change from conventional suppliers which fix them and its extremely annoying when the strap isnt long enough.

I think the straps are well made, but nothing which can be gotten cheaper from timefactors.

The hardware of timefactors wins in terms of detail and quality imo, phenome can still further the chamfers given that its priced at 40usd.

The material is probably the best you are going to get closest to an omega quality material without the hefty price tag. But the improvement over timefactor's nato is probably just a little, not overwhelmingly better.

I think it lived up to its hype, it is just a pity that it took longer than expected to roll out the product, it would have done much better if it was released shortly after the spectre movie.

interesting you found timefactors strap is just slightly worse than phenomenato. I believe this is vastly superior in terms of softness, weave and finish.

I found timefactors to be much siffer with that awful sheen on the strap. and it did fray a little with just one wear.

stiffness and thickness of the strap also makes uncomfortable amount of thickness to the watch.

I don't have my timefactors anymore since I used it once and pawned it off. But with phenomenato, the strap instantly felt great with no breaking in period what so ever. very comfortable to wear and doesn't have any sheen... sure color is a little off but I can live with that then the sheen of the time factors.

just my 2 cents.

 

[gotsung]

Because I've spent two years finding one. And I've owned a very very big range of NATO straps. There is only so many suppliers for the core product. He does not make the NATO straps himself but sources the material from one of the 3 big companies that supplies nylon. There is no magical ingredient TBH, if he doesn't make the nylon himself it's going to be the same as what I already have.

The only thing he has going for him is the adjustable hardware which none of the suppliers I know have it.


He has had the nylon custom made for him from a supplier in China and it is made to his specs as well as the hardware.
I've not had my hands on one yet but the word is they are worth the money, I guess only time will tell.

yes I followed him in WUS since his beginning stage of the product. he is extremely picky going through numerous sample process and trying to get every detail right.

anyone who puts thay much into a product and delivers a bitchin product deserves a recognition in my opinion.

I really wish more people will buy from him so we can see more variations in colors from him.

I don't have much to add to ops photos he has done it better than I could. but really it doesn't look any different than mine so. buy it.

 

[Retina]

Don't get me wrong I think it's a good product. It better be considering that it costs significantly more. I can't say that it is vastly superior as opposed to time factors due to pricing. I prefer the hardware on time factors more.

My time factors strap didn't fray and it broke in just fine after awhile.

It's two totally different looks IMO. I've followed Akos as well since the beginning and he's a great guy. But I think it's important to stay impartial on reviews.

Having eye for details is a plus point but what matters is the end product together with a price point that moves.

To me, the price can be further improved as it's still a first run. He would sell a lot more at a lower price point.

Akos has been a gentleman as far as business goes, he's been in touch with me for the delayed shipping without me chasing him all the way. A guy like that in my book is worth my support.


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[gotsung]

Don't get me wrong I think it's a good product. It better be considering that it costs significantly more. I can't say that it is vastly superior as opposed to time factors due to pricing. I prefer the hardware on time factors more.

My time factors strap didn't fray and it broke in just fine after awhile.

It's two totally different looks IMO. I've followed Akos as well since the beginning and he's a great guy. But I think it's important to stay impartial on reviews.

Having eye for details is a plus point but what matters is the end product together with a price point that moves.

To me, the price can be further improved as it's still a first run. He would sell a lot more at a lower price point.

Akos has been a gentleman as far as business goes, he's been in touch with me for the delayed shipping without me chasing him all the way. A guy like that in my book is worth my support.


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hmmm i wonder why you thought i was being partial. i was just sharing my opnion based on my experience.

I honestly believe that extra 20 bucks is worth it for the quality of phenomenato. I believe its vastly superior in terms of looks and feels. I wouldnt pay more than 60 for it then i would get the gen omega... but if you want as close to gen omega in terms of looks and feels, phenomenato is the way to go. if you want a good nato, and dont want to dish out additional 20... i guess time factors will do.

 

[connery77]

My Phenomenato strap just shipped today. At least from the pics, it looks almost indistinguishable from the OEM Omega, and that makes it worth the extra money to me.

 

[NickOT]

ive gotten my nato straps yesterday after ordering it when it was first released.

The hardware is alright, the floating keeper is a big change from conventional suppliers which fix them and its extremely annoying when the strap isnt long enough.

I think the straps are well made, but nothing which can be gotten cheaper from timefactors.

The hardware of timefactors wins in terms of detail and quality imo, phenome can still further the chamfers given that its priced at 40usd.

The material is probably the best you are going to get closest to an omega quality material without the hefty price tag. But the improvement over timefactor's nato is probably just a little, not overwhelmingly better.

I think it lived up to its hype, it is just a pity that it took longer than expected to roll out the product, it would have done much better if it was released shortly after the spectre movie.

I was going to ask if anyone had experience with the timefactors deluxe nato straps. the timefactors price point is very appealing. any chance you can take a few comparison photos?

 

[fabbe79]

I have one at home I will send some pics this evening

 

[scottb57]

I was going to ask if anyone had experience with the timefactors deluxe nato straps. the timefactors price point is very appealing. any chance you can take a few comparison photos?

I bought the TF strap when it first came out and actually recommended it in the Spectre megathread because it was the best thing out there at the time. I also have a whole drawer of random NATOs including a few Maratac and Phoenix MOD versions. And I have a solid black gen Omega NATO from the new Speedmaster box.

I just got the Phenomenato in and I can confidently say it blows everything except the gen out of the water.

The TF is very sturdy and has beefier hardware, but it is pretty stiff out of the box. After a few weeks of "break in" it actually does soften up quite a bit (people on gen forums actually recommend wearing them in a hot shower to help soften them up).

The Phenomenato, like the gen Omega, is buttery soft right out of the box. As soon as I put it on, I had the same feeling I did with the gen at first - "whoa is this thing going to be able to hold a heavy watch?" but it does, really really well. It just feels more like wearing a car seatbelt or a piece of thicker ribbon on your wrist than a nylon strap. Also, the floating keeper is a HUGE plus and I believe this is the only manufacturer besides Omega to acomplish this. It basically allows you to adjust the watch head and move the keeper to where it fits best instead of having to work around the placement of the hardware. This is especially a huge plus for big wristed guys like myself.

The Phenomenato does have some downsides - the finishing on the hardware isn't as chamfered and elegant looking as the Omega, and the weave and colors aren't as "shiny" as the Omega, although the feel of the nylon is basically identical as far as I can tell. There's also a sewn in label underneath the extra flap with the brand name and logo on it, which adds a little bit of thickness. Plus I admit it is very expensive for a fabric strap and comes with a 2-3 week wait.

At the time I said the Timefactors was 80% of the gen for 1/10 of the price. The Phenomenato is easily 90-95% of the gen for 1/5 of the price, and the remaining 5% is basically the slight color difference and the finishing on the hardware.

 

[NickOT]

I bought the TF strap when it first came out and actually recommended it in the Spectre megathread because it was the best thing out there at the time. I also have a whole drawer of random NATOs including a few Maratac and Phoenix MOD versions. And I have a solid black gen Omega NATO from the new Speedmaster box.

I just got the Phenomenato in and I can confidently say it blows everything except the gen out of the water.

The TF is very sturdy and has beefier hardware, but it is pretty stiff out of the box. After a few weeks of "break in" it actually does soften up quite a bit (people on gen forums actually recommend wearing them in a hot shower to help soften them up).

The Phenomenato, like the gen Omega, is buttery soft right out of the box. As soon as I put it on, I had the same feeling I did with the gen at first - "whoa is this thing going to be able to hold a heavy watch?" but it does, really really well. It just feels more like wearing a car seatbelt or a piece of thicker ribbon on your wrist than a nylon strap. Also, the floating keeper is a HUGE plus and I believe this is the only manufacturer besides Omega to acomplish this. It basically allows you to adjust the watch head and move the keeper to where it fits best instead of having to work around the placement of the hardware. This is especially a huge plus for big wristed guys like myself.

The Phenomenato does have some downsides - the finishing on the hardware isn't as chamfered and elegant looking as the Omega, and the weave and colors aren't as "shiny" as the Omega, although the feel of the nylon is basically identical as far as I can tell. There's also a sewn in label underneath the extra flap with the brand name and logo on it, which adds a little bit of thickness. Plus I admit it is very expensive for a fabric strap and comes with a 2-3 week wait.

At the time I said the Timefactors was 80% of the gen for 1/10 of the price. The Phenomenato is easily 90-95% of the gen for 1/5 of the price, and the remaining 5% is basically the slight color difference and the finishing on the hardware.

thanks for your very detailed review!
from what I can see the overlapping parts on the TF straps don't have stitching, so are they glued together? can you confirm this?
I'm heavily leaning towards the Pheomanato as I can just unstitch it, and then restich it back together using the keeper from the specter rep strap so I have a much better quality rep spectre nato strap.

 

[scottb57]

thanks for your very detailed review!
from what I can see the overlapping parts on the TF straps don't have stitching, so are they glued together? can you confirm this?
I'm heavily leaning towards the Pheomanato as I can just unstitch it, and then restich it back together using the keeper from the specter rep strap so I have a much better quality rep spectre nato strap.

Correct, the TF strap is actually ultrasonically welded (heat sealed) together at the edges, in keeping with the British MOD manufacturing standards. So you may be able to get it back together with a lighter or torch of some kind, but I'm not sure how good it would look.

The Phenomenato is stitched, and it looks to me like you'd be able to take it apart and resew it pretty easily as long as you're handy with a needle and thread or a sewing machine.

Heck, have you considered e-mailing Phenomenato and asking about sewing your "custom" hardware in? I'm pretty sure they're all handmade (hence the long wait) and the owner has been really accommodating on other forums with custom lengths, etc. Might be worth a shot!