Chanel has transformed the G10 or NATO strap and brought it upmarket with its super-luxury alligator skin version on its J12.G10 watches. Photo: © Chanel
The “NATO strap” generally refers to the wristband for watches that is made of reinforced nylon or strong fabrics. It originated as a military issue watch strap that secured the watch to the wrist even in the event of a broken or dislodged spring bar. [Reference: TimeWerke Volume XI, pages 267 to 272.]
Military personnel would refer to it as either the “NATO” or “G10”. This is because of the strap’s NATO stock numbers or NSN. The “G10” is actually the requisition form, said to be the G1098 and it is used for ordering items, including the strap.
The 42mm Chanel J12-G.10, introduced in 2014, powered by an automatic movement, features its luxury “NATO strap” – a Black Mississippiensis alligator strap with 18K white gold loops, each set with 7 baguette-cut diamonds (approx. 0.93 carats per loop) and an 18K white gold pin buckle set with 27 baguette-cut diamonds (approx. 2.55 carats). The 18K white gold dial is set with 84 baguette-cut diamonds (approx. 2.52 carats) and 12 baguette-cut black ceramic indicators, has a black high-tech ceramic centre and 18K white gold hands. The crown in 18K white gold is set with 1 brilliant-cut diamond (approx. 0.15 carats) and the case has 78 baguette-cut diamonds (approx. 4.95 carats). Limited to 5 pieces. Photo: © Chanel
Inspired by the NATO strap, Chanel has created a high luxury wristband with its J12-G.10 watches (the “G.10” coming from the “G10” requisition form). These timepieces, available in both mechanical (automatic) and quartz versions, come with straps made of alligator skins with large scales rather than nylon. Moreover, the buckle or loops are set with brilliant-cut and baguette-cut diamonds.
The 33mm Chanel J12-G.10 quartz version features a black Missiissippiensis alligator strap with its loops set with 9 brilliant-cut diamonds (approx. 0.15 carats per loop) and a steel pin buckle set with 17 brilliant-cut diamonds (approx. 0.27 carats). The steel bezel is set with 53 brilliant-cut diamonds (approx. 0.96 carats). Photo: © Chanel
The military-grade NATO strap or G10 now has an upmarket variant thanks to Chanel, which if we may politely add, has pulled all the right “G” strings (or should we say “straps”?) with such a luxuriant execution.