William Wood
Manchester, United Kingdom · Est. 2017
Founded by Jonny Sherwood
William Wood is a British watch brand founded in 2017 by William Beasley, named after his great-grandfather who served as a firefighter. Each watch incorporates materials salvaged from genuine British fire engines, with unique serial numbers derived from the fire engine's original plate.
- Founded
- 2017
- Headquarters
- Manchester, United Kingdom
- Group
- Independent
- Price Segment
- Entry
- Status
- Active
Key Collections
- Valiant — Flagship automatic collection featuring cases crafted with recycled brass from vintage 1920s British firefighter helmets.
- Chivalrous — Chronograph collection incorporating upcycled fire-hose material from the Tyne and Wear Fire Brigade into its straps.
- Brave — Entry-level quartz collection honouring first responders, with a portion of proceeds donated to firefighting charities.
Timeline
- 2017 — Jonny Sherwood founds William Wood Watches in the UK, naming the brand after his late grandfather who served 25 years in the British Fire Service.
- 2018 — Launches first collection using melted-down 1920s brass firefighter helmets in the case backs.
- 2020 — Surpasses $200,000 in cumulative donations to firefighting charities worldwide.
- 2022 — Recognised as one of the top independent British watchmakers, expanding direct-to-consumer sales globally.
- 2024 — Surpasses £200,000 in donations to firefighter charities worldwide; rated number one British watch manufacturer on Trustpilot.
- 2025 — Continues direct-to-consumer global expansion with UPS shipping worldwide, offering straps made from genuine fire hose and firefighter turnout gear.
Frequently Asked Questions about William Wood
- What makes William Wood watches unique?
- Each watch contains genuine British firefighting heritage — from melted 1920s brass helmets to upcycled fire hose material — honouring first responders.
- Who was William Wood?
- William Wood was founder Jonny Sherwood's grandfather, a firefighter in the Newcastle & Gateshead Fire Brigade for over 25 years, awarded for acts of bravery.