Introducing the Patented SifuStraps 3-Ring Single-Pass Strap: Timeless Design, Unmatched Comfort.

The Journey to the Patented SifuStraps 3-Ring Single-Pass Strap: Four Years in the Making

Some ideas strike like lightning, but the best ones take time to refine. The journey of the SifuStraps 3-Ring Single-Pass started at a dinner table on Thanksgiving 2020, long before it became a patented design. What began as deep contemplation over the NATO strap evolved into an obsession with perfecting its form and function.

A Collector’s Obsession Turned Innovation

I had been collecting watches unconsciously for nearly five years, then consciously for the next 15. Like many, The Urban Gentry was my gateway into watch straps and the endless combinations of watch and strap pairings. After binge-watching his channel for months, I had amassed 20 to 30 NATO straps—each offering something unique, but none solving the comfort and fit issues I encountered.

Sitting at the table before our Thanksgiving guests arrived, I found myself mentally dissecting the NATO design. I had watched countless videos on how to “fix” a NATO strap, how to wear it better, and even how to modify it into a single-pass strap. But I wanted something more.

The First Prototype: A Moment of Clarity

Then, the idea struck. I grabbed my X-Acto knife and started cutting. I removed the second layer, made an incision just after the buckle on the bottom side, flipped the second flap 180 degrees, and hand-stitched what would become the first-ever Sifu Strap prototype.

I wore it for months, testing its comfort and stability. The difference was undeniable—it solved case tilt issues, sat better on the wrist, was far more comfortable, and kept the traditional aesthetics and security to boot. The experiment quickly turned into an obsession. I dusted off my Singer sewing machine and started making improved versions. One by one, I converted every NATO strap I owned.

From Kitchen Table to Patent Office

I began to wonder—could I patent this design? After consulting a patent attorney, a search confirmed that my idea was possibly eligible for a design patent. I sent over my rough sketches, which were professionally drawn and digitized, and within weeks, we submitted the application.

Then, the waiting game began. Nearly two years later, my wife and I were in Miami at the International Boat Show, admiring yachts we couldn’t afford, when I got the call:

📞 "Your patent was approved!"

Owning multiple businesses over the years, I had never been more excited about a project. This one felt different.

The Challenge of USA Manufacturing

With our design patented in the USA, EU, and beyond I was determined to manufacture the straps in-house and keep everything 100% made in the USA. But reality hit hard—many so-called "USA manufacturers" were just middlemen sourcing from China.

Disappointed but persistent, I searched for genuine U.S.-based suppliers. I found a handful of webbing and thread manufacturers in the country. As for hardware? Maybe two actual U.S. manufacturers exist. However, the cost was 12 to 15 times higher than Chinese alternatives.

With a tight budget and an assembly line to build—including lasers, sewing machines, heat presses, and countless other tools—I had to compromise. While securing the best materials possible, I focused on in-house production to ensure patent integrity and full control.

Perfecting the Design: Trial, Error, and Innovation

For the next year, I worked on the assembly line on my days off, researching wrist sizes, strap lengths, and refining the manufacturing process. Through 40 to 60 prototypes, I fine-tuned every detail.

One major challenge was the laser-cut adjustment holes. Early test versions had fraying issues, so we adjusted the laser settings—switching to a double pass of the laser and slightly increasing the second pass diameter by 0.03mm to ensure a deep cauterization of the nylon.

Now, after four years of testing, we are still improving and tweaking the design, always in pursuit of perfection.

The Future of SifuStraps

This journey started with an idea at a Thanksgiving dinner table and became a patented product worn and tested for years. SifuStraps isn’t just another strap—it’s a culmination of experience, craftsmanship, and dedication to solving a problem.

We’re just getting started. Stay tuned.