22mm Elasticated French Navy and Special Forces Strap in Grey with a Red Stripe

Product Details

The term ‘military watch straps’ is often broadly applied to one-piece straps, but a closer look reveals a fascinating variety, each with its own origins within different military branches of the military in a wide variety of countries. Historically ground troops have relied on the NATO strap or it’s US variant, aircrew on the other hand prefer the Bund Strap and divers opted for either standard NATO straps or in some countries naval divers have operated for a very specialised strap often referred to as the Parachute Elastic strap or ‘Marine Nationale’ strap. These military straps all share a common heritage of necessity-driven design, offering practicality and functionality. The straps were first used with a watch made by Tudor but we also used on the ELVIA and various other watches used by the French military.

The Origins of the Parachute Elastic Strap

The origins of the Parachute Elastic strap can be traced back to the 1950s. While some divers purchased resilient Perlon straps made of woven nylon fibres, others creatively repurposed the elastic straps from their reserve parachute bags. These elastic straps, often khaki-green with a yellow stripe, although also made in a wide variety of other colors were flexible, resilient, and comfortable over a wetsuit.

The metal elements on the parachute bag were also repurposed for the strap’s hardware: the keepers and hook clasp. Essentially, a long strip of elastic material is folded over itself at the halfway point. Here, the metal hook is stitched into place. A metal loop is fitted over both loose ends, providing an anchor for the hook. The loop slides freely along the strap’s length, making it easy to adjust for a perfect fit. Comfortable and practical, the strap was made from issued material and was therefore a cost-effective solution for the divers.

Premium Parachute Elastic Straps

Our Parachute Elastic Straps replicate the vintage Marine Nationale strap, making them perfect for summer wristwear and an ideal partner for dive watches. Crafted from premium elastic, the tight weave of the material is soft to the touch yet rugged and strong. Available in several colours, the strap that most closely resembles the original is our Khaki Green/Yellow Stripe Elastic Strap. Additional color options available currently of due to be added to the range include Khaki versions with Red and White Stripes, Black, Grey, and Navy Blue. Featuring brushed stainless-steel hardware, the hook clasp stays true to the original vintage design. All the designs are manufactured in 20mm and 22mm widths.

Advantages of Parachute Elastic Straps

There are many reasons for customers to opt for a parachute elastic strap:

• Unmatched Comfort: Many people claim it's the most comfortable strap they've ever experienced. It fits so well, you barely notice it.
• Sweat and Odour Resistant: The elastic wicks away sweat almost instantly and absorbs no odour.
• Washable: Simply pull it through, wash, and pull it back through.
• Infinite Adjustability: The strap is infinitely adjustable, allowing for a snug or loose fit as desired. Adjusting is effortless.
• Secure Fit: Once on, the strap remains firmly secured to the wrist with no flipping, twisting, or moving. The watch stays centered and secure, eliminating movement up and down the wrist.
• Enhanced Security: The strap's design helps keep the watch safe, reducing the risk of loss due to spring bar failure.
• Affordability: Parachute Elastic Straps are an affordable option allowing for easy access to a new look.
• Stylish Colour Options: Great color choices allow for matching with dials. The central stripe can highlight a feature on the dial, such as the color of the seconds hand or a complication, or simply add a splash of color.

Installing a Marine Nationale strap may seem challenging at first, similar to how some people struggle with NATO straps due to their length which can seem quite baffling until you realise how it's fitted and worn. The same applies with parachute elastic watch straps once you know how it's done, the process is very straightforward. It's important to note that these straps cannot be used on watches with fixed solid bars.

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2X26pc3TlWk the first time we saw one of the straps here, a few years ago, even though we are very familiar with straps in general it took a bit of figuring out but once you know how it's done, it could not be easier.

• Delivery

  • Shipping Information

    Europe, UK, and Rest of World

    Tracked Mail:

    • Europe: €11.75 / £9.99 / US$12.95
    • UK: £7.95 / €9.50 / US$10.50
    • Rest of World: US$22.75 / €20.50 / £17.50

    Express Courier (UPS or FedEx):

    • Europe: €23.50 / £19.99 / US$25.95
    • UK (UPS/DPD):  £12.95 / €15.25 / US$16.95
    • Rest of World: US$45.50 / €41.25 / £34.95

    Note: The exact shipping cost may vary slightly depending on the weight and dimensions, but it will only differ by a small amount and will be shown at checkout. The above rates cover approximately 85% of parcels.

    Order and Shipment Confirmation

    You will generally receive two emails after placing an order:

    1. Confirmation of receipt of the order and payment.
    2. Notification of shipment once the goods are dispatched.

    Processing Time: Orders are shipped by the Post Office or Courier within 48 hours of payment processing. Note that our shipping centers are closed on Saturdays and Sundays; therefore, orders placed during this time may take up to 72 hours to be dispatched. This includes orders placed after 14:00 (CET) on Fridays.

    Estimated Delivery Times (in working days):

    • Europe:
      • UPS: 2 to 5 days
      • Registered Mail: 7 to 14 days
    • UK:
      • DPD or UPS: 24 hours
      • Tracked Mail: 1 to 2 days
    • Rest of World:
      • UPS: 3 to 10 days
      • Registered Mail: 7 to 21 days*

    *Some countries are notoriously slow to process goods on arrival, including Israel, Hong Kong, Macau, Mexico, South Africa, and some South American countries. Significant delays can also occur in other countries in Africa. For time-sensitive deliveries, we recommend using UPS, DHL, or FedEx.

    All shipping estimates exclude Saturdays and Sundays.

    While we strive to deliver within the above timeframes, they are guides, and delivery cannot be guaranteed. We are not responsible for delays caused by couriers or any national postal service. If your goods are not delivered within the estimated time, please contact us at admin@mwc.watch, and we will do our best to resolve the issue promptly. We are not liable for any loss caused by late delivery.

    Our delivery charges cover the cost of shipping to you but do not include import charges and administration fees to clear the goods when entering your country if applicable.

    It is the purchaser's responsibility to understand that charges may be levied and to pay all subsequent import taxes and duties on goods shipped to their country. If items are returned to MWC due to rejected payment, subsequent charges incurred (such as import duty and processing costs) will be deducted from any refund issued. For more information, please contact accounts@mwc-distribution.com

    If you need to clarify any details regarding local taxes for your location, please contact us before placing an order. For clarification, goods shipped to the EU can be dispatched from our EU location if ordered at https://mwc.eu/, and we also have a dedicated UK shipping center at https://mwcwatches.co.uk/. In the United States, orders under $800 do not incur taxes or fees. In Australia, orders up to AU$1000 are tax-free. Many other countries have similar regulations, which you can verify using this helpful link: Zonos De Minimis Values and also this link to calculate taxes for shipments to most countries worldwide https://www.simplyduty.com/import-calculator/

    We do not accept liability for goods lost after delivery to a PO Box. We reserve the right to cancel orders where the delivery address is a PO Box. Similarly, we do not accept liability for goods lost after confirmed delivery to APO or BFPO locations.

    Customer Notification: It is the customer's responsibility to notify us if goods are not received within 21 days of the estimated delivery date. If no notification is made within this period, the buyer is deemed to have received the goods.

    Safe Place Deliveries

    Some delivery companies allow for delivery without a signature, leaving the item in a "safe place" (e.g., shed, garage, porch). If you choose this option, it is at your own risk. We initially send items by a secure service requiring a signature or proof of delivery. Using a "safe place" increases the risk of theft. We advise ensuring deliveries require a signature to ensure safe receipt.

    Failed Deliveries

    If an item is refused and returned to us, we will refund the order less the outbound and inbound shipping charges once the item is received back at our packing and shipping center. For business locations, please notify the receiving personnel of the expected delivery to avoid refusals. Usually, we will be notified of delivery issues and will email you for instructions. It is important to act quickly to avoid return and associated costs.

    For any questions or further assistance, please contact us at admin@mwc.watch.