William Wood Watches honors World War II veterans

Today, on Veterans Day in the US and Remembrance Day in the UK, a very special watch is being delivered by William Wood Watches, designed to honor World War II veterans. The unique clock includes a variety of features of historical significance, as well as a fragment of the Massey Shaw fireboat engine that contributed to the withdrawal of over 600 soldiers from Dunkirk in 1940. It’s a very personal project for William Wood’s founder and CEO, Johnny Garrett.

“It’s rare these days to own a real piece of history that shaped world events as we know it,” says Garrett. “Every time I turn the clock over, the hairs on my arms stand up. It is a very proud moment for me personally and for William Wood Watches.” He founded the company in honor of his grandfather William Wood, himself a decorated British firefighter, and donates a donation for every sale to international firefighting charities, including the New York Fire Department.

Through its design and materials, the bronze, black and red Dunkirk clock pays tribute to Operation Dynamo, in which over 331,000 Allied forces were rescued from the beaches of Dunkirk in northern France and brought across the English Channel on various Royal Navy ships and non-military units. to safety in Ramsgate, England. One such boat was the fireboat Massey Shaw, which later played a key role in the London Blitz. The beaches of Dunkirk and the “Little Boats” of Operation Dynamo are engraved on the case back. Additionally, each owner will have their name placed on a plaque inside the fireboat to recognize their donation through purchasing the watch toward the boat’s maintenance. which was shut down in 1971.

To date, the company has donated over $160,000 to help firefighters and their families in the UK, US, Australia and Ukraine. “When my grandfather was a firefighter he used the Fire Fighters Charity’s recreational facilities in the UK. “So it’s an incredible feeling to be able to donate to the same charity that helped him over 40 years ago,” smiles Garrett.

Garrett founded the company seven years ago as a young entrepreneur fresh from the financial industry. “As far back as I can remember, I always wanted to start my own business, it would be my lifelong career,” he explains. “I believe dedicating your business to someone or something you care about will give you the energy to tackle your day every day.”

And seize the day, he has. He started by raising $32,000 on Kickstarter, but his journey to a successful business was not without obstacles: “I previously worked at a commercial bank in London, so it was a steep learning curve to get into watchmaking, supply chain, “Marketing and sales,” he admits, “but I believe you can learn anything if you just put your mind to it.” Faced with the prospect of competing with well-known heritage brands, Garrett created the most unique watch he could and used recycled firefighting equipment in every design, which he says helped him create a disruptive brand in a highly competitive sector.

Brass helmets from British firefighters are melted down to make the watch components and bracelets are made from discarded fire hoses: “Each color comes from a different fire department and tells its own story. For example, our red fire hose ribbon comes from the London Fire Department, our orange fire hose fights fires in Sacramento, California, and our blue fire hose comes from Tyne & Wear, the region where my grandfather was a firefighter. ”

William Wood is now available at retailers such as century-old Watches of Switzerland, which agrees the watches are “one of a kind”. A major supporter of the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF), William Wood also made a presidential watch for President Biden earlier this year. . The Presidential Watch features the logo of the Executive Office of the President of the United States on the caseback, is engraved with the President’s name and features a red fire hose strap reminiscent of the red, white and blue colors of the US flag.

“As a family-owned watchmaker representing firefighters around the world, this was a significant moment for our company,” Garrett said after the watch was presented to the president in July. “We hope that President Biden wears his watch with pride as he addresses firefighters and first responders across the United States.” And since the Dunkirk watch honors those who fought for our freedom, William Wood himself would no doubt be proud too on his grandson.