Guess you are right about trying it with a thinner straps. I never tried because I wear it with it´s original riveted Oyster bracelet. I just took it off and put these straps for the shoots.
By the way, I feel that Connery wore his watch with a pass-through 16 mm (not 18 mm) straps. I think this by the way it adjusts to his wrist without the bulk of a true Nato.
Can´t say for sure as nobody knows why they choose to equip Bond´s watch with those thinners straps being it a 20mm between lugs.
Thank you again for viewing and commenting my dear friend. Best, Abel