Phoenix Lives On !

A collaboration between AKIO Watches and Mike from Phoenix

After more than 40 years of building proper nylon watch straps, Phoenix was close to calling it a day. Since 1978, Phoenix has manufactured MOD-spec single-pass nylon straps in the UK - built for military use, worn in the field, and trusted by those who know.

No fuss. No noise. Just good straps that did the job.

Then Came the Trademark Games
In 2012, someone filed a trademark for the word “NATO” - a term used for decades, long before many of today’s players entered the picture.

Suddenly, the people who helped define the category were being told they couldn’t use the name. Trademark law wasn’t protecting originality - it was quietly rewriting history.

Then Came the Impersonators
More recently, a website appeared pretending to be Phoenix. No history with the brand. No connection. Just a logo and a product page.

That was the final straw.

The Watch Community Noticed
Collectors, watchmakers, and long-time supporters called it out. Quietly but firmly, the community stood up - because heritage and integrity still matter.

As Phoenix was winding down, I felt it would be a real loss to see a name with such history overtaken by fakes pushing substandard quality.

One of those conversations with Mike led to this collaboration.

I’m Seb, from AKIO Watches. I’ve worked with Phoenix for years as a stockist and supporter. When I approached Mike about carrying the torch, he was open to the idea but only under certain conditions.

The straps had to be made in the UK. The quality had to match or exceed what came before. No shortcuts.

Rebuilding a UK-based supply chain wasn’t easy. Lead times were long. Prototypes took months. There were road trips up and down the country. But after a year of testing and refining, we got there.

We’ve now recreated the classic Phoenix G10 strap using the exact same methods and materials as before with a fully UK-based supply chain. The result is a core range, true to the originals. And if demand is strong, we may explore new colours too (if Mike is up for it).

Now, with Mike’s blessing, we’re carrying the project forward - using the same materials, the same mills, and the same ethos that defined Phoenix.

Same Standards. Same Mills. Same Ethos.

• Authentic MOD-spec straps

• Nylon woven in traditional British mills

• Hand-finished in the UK

• No sweatshops

• No shortcuts

• No nonsense

We’re not here to build hype. We’re here to protect what was already built and do it justice.

This isn’t a reboot. It’s a continuation of something real.

Phoenix is still here.
Still made in the UK.
Still the real thing.

AKIO Watches
#ProjectPhoenix