SKU: 78973501282

20mm Elasticated French Navy and Special Forces Strap in Maroon

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Description

20mm Elasticated French Navy and Special Forces Strap in MaroonMilitary Watch Straps: A Legacy of Functionality and Design 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 in different military branches across various countries. Historically, ground troops have relied on the NATO strap or its U. S. variant, while aircrew have preferred the Bund Strap. Divers, on the other hand, have used standard NATO straps,

Military Watch Straps: A Legacy of Functionality and Design

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 in different military branches across various countries. Historically, ground troops have relied on the NATO strap or its U.S. variant, while aircrew have preferred the Bund Strap. Divers, on the other hand, have used standard NATO straps, though in some countries, naval divers have operated with a highly specialized strap known as the Parachute Elastic Strap, or Marine Nationale strap.

All military straps share a common heritage of necessity-driven design, offering practicality and functionality. The Parachute Elastic Strap was first used with a Tudor watch, but it was also seen on ELVIA and various other watches used by the French military.


The Origins of the Parachute Elastic Strap

The Parachute Elastic Strap dates back to the 1950s. Some divers purchased Perlon straps made of woven nylon fibers, while others resourcefully repurposed the elastic straps from their reserve parachute bags. These elastic straps—often khaki-green with a yellow stripe, though also available in various other colors—were flexible, resilient, and comfortable when worn over a wetsuit.

The metal components from the parachute bag were also repurposed for the strap’s hardware, including the keepers and hook clasp. The design was simple yet effective:

  1. A long strip of elastic material was folded at the midpoint, where a metal hook was stitched into place.
  2. A metal loop was fitted over both loose ends, serving as an anchor for the hook.
  3. The loop slid freely along the strap’s length, allowing for easy adjustment and a perfect fit.

Comfortable and practical, these straps were made from issued materials, making them a cost-effective solution for military divers.


Premium Parachute Elastic Straps

Our Parachute Elastic Straps replicate the vintage Marine Nationale strap, making them ideal for summer wristwear and a perfect match for dive watches. Crafted from premium elastic, the material is tightly woven, resulting in a strap that is both soft to the touch and incredibly strong.

Each strap features brushed stainless steel hardware, including a hook clasp that stays true to the original vintage design. Our designs are available in 18mm, 20mm and 22mm widths.


Advantages of Parachute Elastic Straps

Customers choose Parachute Elastic Straps for several reasons:

  • Unmatched Comfort: Many users claim it's the most comfortable strap they've ever worn—it fits so well, you barely notice it.
  • Sweat and Odor Resistant: The elastic wicks away sweat instantly and absorbs no odor.
  • Washable: Simply remove the strap, wash it, and reattach it.
  • Infinite Adjustability: The strap allows for a perfectly snug or loose fit, depending on preference. Adjustments are effortless.
  • Secure Fit: Once in place, the strap remains firmly secured, preventing flipping, twisting, or movement. The watch stays centered on the wrist.
  • Enhanced Security: The design minimizes the risk of losing the watch due to spring bar failure.
  • Affordability: Parachute Elastic Straps offer a cost-effective way to refresh your watch’s look.
  • Stylish Color Options: The variety of color choices allows for coordination with watch dials. The central stripe can highlight a dial feature, such as the seconds hand, a complication, or simply add a touch of color.

Installing a Marine Nationale Strap

Installing a Marine Nationale strap may seem tricky at first—similar to the initial challenge of fitting NATO straps due to their length. However, once you understand how it works, the process is straightforward.

The first time we came across one of these straps a few years ago, despite being very familiar with watch straps in general, it took a bit of figuring out. However, once we understood the technique, it couldn’t have been easier.

For those new to fitting these straps, the process can seem confusing at first, but this video provides a clear demonstration: How to Install a Marine Nationale Strap

It's important to note that these straps cannot be used on watches with fixed solid bars.

Marine Nationale straps share many advantages with NATO straps but achieve a similar function in a different way. They are especially popular among military personnel who prefer them over ballistic nylon straps to avoid snagging. Consequently, we offer various straps made from the same material used in these original French military designs.

Shipping Notes
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Exchange/Return Notes
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SKU: 78973501282

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Verified Purchase
Jeff Tyler
Port Orchard, US
★★★★★ 5
LOVE these shirts, came back and bought more!
These shirts look SO good. I am a senior manager in a large corporation so have to dress nice every day. I loved the first one of these shirts so much I came back and have now bought 15 of them in different colors. Basically, these are now all I wear. Buy yourself 15 bamboo undershirts with the V neck (you don't want the layered look with dress shirts, you want the V neck so you can't see the undershirt), half in white and half in black to wear under these and you are set. GUYS.....WHEN YOU FIRST BUY THESE YOU MUST IRON THEM. I see the pics of people wearing them here, and you can still see the fold lines from being packaged and that looks terrible. Washing alone won't get rid of the fold lines. Get your iron and set it for POLYESTER which is a lower heat setting. If you set it hot, it will melt the shirt. But set it for polyester and the lines iron out VERY easily and fast. You only have to do this when you first buy them. I've never had to iron any of them again after the first time. They are very wrinkle resistant! I HATE my cotton dress shirts now. These Coofandy shirts STRETCH like crazy! You can bend and reach for things no problem. I'm able to wear all of these with Chinos, dress slacks AND jeans so they are incredibly versitile! My wife and my girlfriend both (joking!) love how soft the shirt feels on me. I have to wear these shirts every day and own enough so I can do laundry once every other week and so far all the shirts have been very durable with no tears, rips, any problems at all. They all still look new.
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on March 27, 2026
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Verified Purchase
Leslie A. Rowe
Lowell, US
★★★★★ 4
Must iron first before wearing. Then wrinkle free.
The fit is perfect. The material is quite nice. The only problem would be they are hard to de-wrinkle from original packaging. I’ve washed my shirt several times and it’s still showing the creases. The only way to get rid of them is to launder them or iron them. I think once this occurs, they remain wrinkle free for a while. This is the third of the exact same shirt I got in different colors.
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Reviewed in the United States on January 2, 2026
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Sanjulee
West Palm Beach, US
★★★★★ 5
Nice quality shirt
Color: Purple, Size: XX-Large
Nice material and fit is accurate. However shirts are rolled up in a tube, so if you need to wear the shirt the day you receive it be prepared to iron it!
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Reviewed in the United States on May 7, 2026
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Ronaldo Lopez
Birmingham, US
★★★★★ 3
Calidad de las camisas
Color: A White, Size: Medium
I had already bought one shirt, so this time I bought two more. The light blue one is the same quality as the one I bought the first time. But the white one wasn't the same quality. It was also a different shade of white. They should try to maintain consistent quality across the board.
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Reviewed in the United States on March 25, 2026
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Johnny Maldonado
Lowell, US
★★★★★ 5
I recommend this company
Color: Lavender, Size: Large
very nice shirt, great fit.
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Reviewed in the United States on May 23, 2026

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