NATO Strap 21mm James Bond Black Grey

Which width for a Rolex Deepsea?

This is the question we get most often, and the answer is not the obvious one. The first-generation Deepsea (116660) is listed at 21mm lug width; the current models (126660, 136660) at 22mm. On paper, then, 21 or 22.

In practice, no. A NATO strap passes under the case: it can be narrower than the lug width, never wider. And on the Deepsea's thick lugs, a 22mm curls at the edges — it does not sit flat. So most owners fit 20mm: it sits clean, it holds, it does not lift.

21mm remains the choice for those who want to fill the lug gap to the millimetre. It looks tighter, and it is harder to find.

This colourway is discontinued

Our supplier has stopped producing this reference in 21mm and will not resume. We keep the page online for the advice it carries — but if you are looking for this stripe today, the alternative is simple: the 20mm black and grey NATO strap for a Rolex Deepsea. It is what most of our customers in this case wear.

Single-piece nylon NATO strap built to the G10 specification of the British Ministry of Defence. It threads under the case between both spring bars and wraps fully around the wrist. Marine-grade anti-corrosion stainless steel buckle and keepers. Machine washable at 30°.

Odd lug widths: 19mm and 21mm

Odd sizes are poorly served by the market. We stock them where we can: see our 19 and 21mm NATO straps. 19mm concerns the Rolex Oyster Perpetual 34, the Air-King 5500 and the Date 1500 in particular; 21mm the Omega Planet Ocean 42, the Longines Spirit 40 and the Tudor Pelagos 39.

Fitting on a dive watch

Removing a steel bracelet, on video

Depending on your watch, the alternative is 20mm or 22mm. Full range: NATO straps.

Want some context? Browse the history of James Bond's NATO strap. It's all on video in our NATO strap installation guide.