William Wood

Jonny Garrett founded William Wood Watches in 2017 and named it after his grandfather, a firefighter who served twenty-five years with the Newcastle and Gateshead Fire Brigade at Pilgrim Street on Blue Watch. In June 1966 he and three colleagues were awarded a Certificate of Merit for rescuing five children from a house fire.

The materials carry the story rather than merely referencing it. The crown, and on the chronographs the pushers, are cast from a melted-down British brass firefighter's helmet of the 1920s. Straps are made from decommissioned fire hose used in real fires, in the colours of the services they came from — London Fire Brigade through to Sacramento.

The detailing runs deeper than most themed brands attempt. The Valiant diver takes its seconds track from the chequered markings on the side of a fire engine and its seconds hand from a vintage fire bell. The Triumph chronograph uses fire-engine dashboard dials and gauge hands, behind a caseback reading In Case Of Fire Break Glass. The Fire Exit model animates a running man across the day wheel.

Movements are Swiss, mostly Sellita SW220 and SW510. A donation from every sale goes to firefighting charities, among them The Fire Fighters Charity, the London Fire Brigade and the FDNY Foundation.

William Wood holds 11 models, from £820 to £3,995. Half cost less than £920, and a quarter less than £870. 11 of 11 are automatic. 7 are stocked by more than one retailer, giving 18 offers in total. Prices are checked nightly against the retailers’ own feeds.

1966

William Wood is decorated for rescuing five children from a fire.

2017

Jonny Garrett founds the brand in his grandfather's name.

2019

The Valiant diver establishes the collection.

2021

The Triumph chronograph adds a Sellita SW510.

2024

Stocked by Goldsmiths and Watches of Switzerland.