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FAQs
Watches
Who was William Wood, and why is the brand named after him?
William Wood was our founder's late grandfather, a decorated British firefighter who served for 25 years with the Newcastle & Gateshead Fire Brigade at Pilgrim Street Fire Station. His bravery, dedication and service inspired his grandson to create a watch company that honours firefighters and preserves their extraordinary heritage.
Is William Wood a member of the Alliance of British Watch and Clock Makers?
William Wood Watches is proud to be associated with the Alliance of British Watch and Clock Makers, an organisation dedicated to supporting and promoting British horology. We share its ambition to celebrate British watchmaking, craftsmanship and independent watch brands.
How does buying a watch support firefighting charities?
Supporting firefighters and their families is at the heart of William Wood Watches, and we are proud to have donated over $250,000 to firefighting charities worldwide. Through charitable partnerships, fundraising initiatives and special projects, we help support the people who dedicate their lives to protecting others.
What part of a real firefighter's helmet or fire hose is in the watch?
Selected William Wood watches feature brass from an original 1920s British firefighter's helmet, melted down and incorporated into the watch crown. Our signature straps are also made from genuine upcycled fire hose, giving every watch a tangible connection to firefighting history.
Who founded William Wood Watches, and when?
William Wood Watches was founded by Jonny Garrett in 2017, inspired by the remarkable firefighting career of his late grandfather, William Wood. His vision was to create a British watchmaking company that combined distinctive timepieces, genuine firefighting heritage and charitable giving.
Are William Wood watches good, and what do owners and the press say about them?
William Wood Watches is an award-winning British watchmaker, celebrated for its distinctive designs incorporating genuine upcycled firefighting materials. Our watches have received excellent customer reviews and international recognition from publications including The New York Times, Financial Times and The Guardian.
Are William Wood watches a good investment, and do they hold their value?
William Wood Watches are designed to be treasured, worn and passed down through generations. While certain limited editions may become collectable, we recommend purchasing our watches for their craftsmanship, unique firefighting heritage and personal significance rather than as a financial investment.
Can I order a watch that displays my fire service logo?
Yes - but we require approval from your fire service to be able to use their logo in our watches, and we require a minimum of 30 firefighters to order a watch in order to cover our bespoke component costs. If you have a group of at least 30 people who would like to purchase a custom watch then please email our team at info@williamwoodwatches.com to discuss further.
Can a fire station, brigade or union order a commemorative watch for its crew?
Absolutely. We specialise in creating bespoke commemorative watches for fire departments, brigades, unions and firefighting organisations worldwide, incorporating department logos, insignia and meaningful design details. These watches are ideal for service awards, anniversaries, retirements and fundraising initiatives.
We require approval from your fire service to be able to use their logo in our watches, and we require a minimum of 30 firefighters to order a watch in order to cover our bespoke component costs. If you have a group of at least 30 people who would like to purchase a custom watch then please email our team at info@williamwoodwatches.com to discuss further.
Can I customise a watch?
Yes - we have a fantastic custom watch division who has produced some incredible custom watches for fire departments, private companies and hobbyist groups around the world.
We require a minimum of 30 people to order a watch in order to cover our bespoke component costs. If you have a group of at least 30 people who would like to purchase a custom watch then please email our team at info@williamwoodwatches.com to discuss further.
Do you sell gift cards or vouchers?
Yes, we offer William Wood Watches gift vouchers, allowing your recipient to choose their perfect watch, strap or accessory. They make an ideal gift for birthdays, anniversaries, retirements and special occasions. You can purchase your gift card through our website here.
Are our watches automatic or quartz, and which movement is inside it?
Our collections feature carefully selected automatic and quartz movements from respected international movement manufacturers. The exact movement, its origin and specifications are listed in the technical details of each watch.
How water resistant is the watch, and can I swim or shower wearing it?
All of our watches are water resistant. Our automatic movement watches are water resistant up to 100 metres and our quartz watches up to 50 metres. You can have peace of mind when showering, swimming or scuba diving.
Are your watches limited edition, and how many are made?
We produce both permanent collections and exclusive limited-edition watches, with selected models individually numbered to celebrate their rarity. Where applicable, the total production quantity and edition number are clearly displayed on the product page.
What is the case size, and will it suit a smaller wrist?
Our watches are available in different case sizes and designs to accommodate a variety of wrist sizes. Each product page provides the case dimensions, and our team can help you choose the most comfortable fit for your wrist. Our watch cases range from 34mm to 41mm and each product page explains how they wear on different wrist sizes.
How long is the warranty, and what does it cover?
Every William Wood watch comes with a 3 year international warranty covering manufacturing defects under normal use. Water damage is not covered by your warranty so please always make sure to firmly close your watch crown before entering the water.
What does pre-order mean, and when is a pre-ordered watch dispatched?
A pre-order allows you to secure your chosen William Wood watch before it becomes available for immediate dispatch. The estimated delivery date will be communicated at the time of purchase, and we will keep you informed of any significant changes to the expected schedule.
Will a sold-out watch come back into stock, and can I be told when it does?
Some of our collections are restocked, while limited editions may never be produced again once sold out. We recommend joining our mailing list or contacting our team to enquire about future availability and upcoming releases.
Can the watch be engraved?
We do not offer a personalised engraving option on our watches, not because we don't want to, but because all of the flat surfaces on our watches are already used up by our authenticity markings.
What is the difference between our collections?
Chivalrous is our answer to a dress watch with a slimmer elegant case.
Valiant, Fire and Extinguisher is our answers to a daily diver watch with great every wearability.
Bronze is our heritage range with a bronze watch case that ages and patinas over time.
Fearless is our rugged field watch that can be worn in active surroundings.
Never Forget is our commemoration to the 25 year anniversary of 9.11.
Great Fire of London commemorates the 360th year anniversary of the Great Fire.
Triumph is our high end chronograph watch with a Swiss-Made chronograph movement and functional stopwatch.
Fire Exit is our creative take on the fire exit running man with a seven day window display.
Dunkirk is our special commemoration to a London Fireboat that rescued 600 lives off the beaches of Dunkirk in WWII.
Does the bronze watch change colour over time, and can the patina be removed?
Yes, our bronze watches naturally develop a unique patina through exposure to air, moisture and everyday wear, making every watch increasingly individual. This ageing process can be carefully reversed using appropriate bronze-cleaning techniques, allowing you to restore a brighter finish if preferred.
Can you send the watch in discreet packaging as a gift?
We understand that many William Wood watches are purchased as meaningful gifts. Please contact our team by email at info@williamwoodwatches.com to arrange discreet outer packaging to not spoil the surprise.
Register my watch to activate warranty
Once you receive your watch please scan the QR code within your packaging and complete your watch registration form.
Alternatively you can register your watch through the link here.
Which payment methods do you accept, and can I spread the cost?
We accept major credit and debit cards, including Visa, Mastercard, alongside PayPal, Apple and Google Pay. We do not accept Amex or Discover cards.
We also offer interest-free instalment options through Partial.ly.
Can I change or cancel my order after I have placed it?
If you need to change or cancel your order, please contact us as soon as possible at info@williamwoodwatches.com. We will do our best to accommodate your request before dispatch, although special conditions may apply to pre-orders and personalised products.
Straps
What strap width does the watch take, and will a strap from another brand fit it?
Our watches use interchangeable straps with a 20mm lug width. All of our straps are quick-release allowing you to add or remove in just a few seconds without any tools required. Our straps fit a wrist size of up to 9.5 inches.
How do I change the strap, and do I need a tool?
Our fire hose straps feature a convenient quick-release mechanism, allowing you to change the appearance of your watch in seconds without any tools. Simply slide the spring-bar lever, remove your existing strap and attach your new one until securely fitted.
What wrist sizes does the strap fit, and how do I measure my wrist?
Our straps are designed to accommodate a wide range of wrist size up to 9.5 inches. We do not offer straps for a wrist size larger than this, but we can recommend an extra larger strap supplier if you would still like to purchase one of our watches.
Our 34mm watch cases offer a smaller and thinner fire hose strap.
To measure your wrist, wrap a flexible measuring tape around the area where you normally wear your watch, ensuring a comfortable fit.
Are the fire hose straps made from real fire hose, and where does the hose come from?
Absolutely. Our signature straps are crafted from genuine upcycled fire hose sourced from fire services around the world, giving equipment that has served firefighters a remarkable second life. Each hose is carefully cleaned, cut and transformed into a distinctive watch strap.
Can the fire hose strap get wet, and will the colour fade?
Our fire hose straps are made from durable firefighting materials designed to withstand demanding environments, including exposure to water.
Can I buy the stainless steel bracelet or a presentation box on its own?
Our Stainless Steel Bracelets have now been discontinued and we now only offer our upcycled fire hose and fire gear straps.
You can also purchase our presentation packaging separately, simply email us at info@williamwoodwatches.com to request this.
Shipping
Do you deliver outside the UK, and to which countries?
Yes, we ship all over the world at almost every country. We ship on a daily basis to the UK, Europe, US, Canada, Australia and the Middle East. All UK orders are shipped through the Royal Mail and International orders by our UPS Tracked & Signed Account.
The USA is our biggest shipping country and we can ship a watch to the US East Coast in 24 hours of UPS collecting or 48 hours to the US West Coast.
How much does delivery cost, and is there free delivery over a certain amount?
We offer complimentary worldwide shipping on orders over £500. For orders below this amount, the applicable delivery charge will be calculated and displayed at checkout.
Custom & Duty Charges
It is the customers responsibility to pay all of the custom and duty charges associated with your watch purchase. You can check these charges on your local governments website.
US Tariff Charges
It is the customers responsibility to pay all of the tariff charges associated with your watch purchase. You can check these charges on the US government website.
How long will it take to get my order?
We pride ourselves on speed of delivery no matter where you are in the world. Our predicted shipping times are presented below:
- UK - 24 hours
- USA - 24 hours (East Coast) 48 hours (West Coast)
- Canada - 48 hours
- Europe - 48 hours
- Middle East - 3 days
- Australia - 3 to 5 days
- Rest of the World - 3 to 5 days
What shipping carriers do you use?
We ship all UK orders through the Royal Mail Guaranteed Next Day Delivery Service. Once you receive your dispatch notification by email your order will arrive before 1pm the following working day.
All international orders are shipped through our UPS Tracked & Signed Account. For additional security all orders require a signature to be delivered. If you would prefer for your shipment to be delivered to a local UPS point simply email us at info@williamwoodwatches.com with your request.
Gifting
Which William Wood watch or gift suits a firefighter, and do you have gifts for a retirement or a passing-out parade?
Our watches make particularly meaningful gifts for firefighters because they incorporate genuine firefighting materials and celebrate the profession's extraordinary heritage. Whether marking a passing-out parade, promotion, retirement or years of dedicated service, our collections offer a lasting tribute to a firefighter's career.
Can I keep the watch a surprise for a gift?
Yes, a lot of customers purchase our watches as a gift for a special someone. Simply email us at info@williamwoodwatches.com letting us know that the purchase is a surprise and we will provide our unbranded packaging.
Do you offer a discount for firefighters and first responders?
Yes, we can offer a firefighter or first responder discount. Simply email us with further information at info@williamwoodwatches.com.
Returns
Can I return my product?
We offer all customers a 30 day free returns period starting from the day that your watch is delivered. Seasonal gifting doesn’t not impact these timelines.
We cannot refund any watches that have a case material made from bronze. This is due to the fact that the bronze material oxidises as soon as it touches your skin causing the case to patina and change colour. We can therefore no longer resell the watch once this process has begun.
We cannot provide a refund on any watches which have been pre-ordered until the watch is built, delivered, and dissatisfaction is expressed. This is due to the fact that we send the funds straight to our workshop to order components as soon as your pre-order has been placed.
Any customer requesting a refund on a watch that they purchased at a trade show will be charged a 10% restocking fee as they have seen and tried on the watch in person.
What should I do if my watch arrives damaged?
If your watch arrives damaged, please contact us immediately and within seven days of delivery, providing photographs and your order number. We will help you arrange a resolution and, where appropriate, a replacement, while also assisting with any courier claim.
Arrange Try On
Where can I try on a William Wood watch?
We have a retail partnership with Watches of Switzerland, Goldsmiths and Mappin & Webb in the UK. You can arrange a private try on appointment of our watches in any of their stores nationwide through the link below, Simply enter your postcode, choose your store, and confirm which of our watches that you would like to try on.
We have a retail partnership with Watches of Switzerland, Mayors and Betteridge in the US. You can arrange a private try on appointment of our watches in any of their stores through the US through the link below, Simply enter your zip code, choose your store, and confirm which of our watches that you would like to try on.
Do you sell at trade shows or events, and where can I meet the team?
Yes, William Wood Watches regularly participates in watch exhibitions, firefighting conferences and special events internationally. We attend the British Watchmakers Day every March in London, Wind Up Watch Fair in San Francisco in May and Wind Up Watch Fair in New York in October.
Join our mailing list or follow our social media channels to discover upcoming opportunities to meet the team and experience our watches in person.
Repairs & Servicing
Is my watch covered by a warranty?
Yes, we are proud to offer you a 3 year international warranty on all of our watches. This warranty covers all watches purchased through our website and retail partners.
The warranty does not cover water damage where the customer has improperly secured their crown tightly against the watch case, or malpractice where the owner has dropped or damaged their watch through improper use.
Why has my automatic watch stopped, and how do I wind it?
Automatic watches are powered by movement and will naturally stop when their power reserve is depleted. To restart your watch, gently wind the crown clockwise approximately 40–55 turns in its winding position, then wear it regularly to maintain its power reserve.
How do I send my watch off for a repair or service?
UK Clients:
We have a world class repair and service partner called Swiss Time Services based in the UK.
Complete the repair form available through the link below:
https://swisstimeservices.co.uk/our-brand/william-wood-service/#
Get in touch:
Please get in touch with us using the details below, our offices are open Monday to Friday 09:00 to 17:00
Telephone+44 (0)1702 543100
Email
info@swisstimeservices.com
Post
Swiss Time Services Ltd
Stonebridge House
Main Road, Hawkwell
Hockley
Essex,
SS5 4JH
United Kingdom
US Clients:
We have an exceptional repair and service partner called Baltimore Watch Company based in the UK.
Please complete the repair form here and email it to their team inbox below. They will then be in touch with next steps.
Email:
team@baltimorewatchcompany.com
The Baltimore Watch Company team will keep you updated of your watch repair by email from start to finish. Normal expected repair time is approximately 2 weeks.
If you face any major issues with either of our repair partners feel free to email our team at info@williamwoodwatches.com
How often should the watch be serviced, and what does a service cost?
We generally recommend having a mechanical watch professionally inspected or serviced approximately every 3–5 years, depending on usage and performance. Service costs vary by movement and the work required, and our team can provide a quotation following an initial assessment.
Contact Us
How do I contact you, and how quickly do you reply?
You can contact William Wood Watches by emailing info@williamwoodwatches.com or completing the contact form on our website. Our team aims to respond to all enquiries as quickly as possible and will be delighted to assist with purchases, servicing or general questions.
Do you still have an unanswered question?
No problem, simply email us at info@williamwoodwatches.com or complete our contact us form here.