NATO and ZULU watch straps are featured in casual and sports styles. The origin of NATO and ZULU watch straps are military and civil, and for this reason they are realized with textile straps, a resistant and fresh solution for a watch strap.

However, it is possible to create NATO and ZULU watch straps with other materials, such as transpirant microfiber or leather. The main purpose of NATO and ZULU watch straps is to hold the watch around the wrist even if one of the two bars holding the watch strap breaks.