From the courageous world of firefighting emerges a timepiece with a story as compelling as its design: the William Wood Fire Exit Watch. This is not merely a timepiece; it is a narrative on the wrist, a bold and engaging tribute to the bravery and dedication of firefighters, imbued with a playful yet sophisticated design sensibility.
Drawing inspiration from the universally recognised fire exit sign, this watch is a conversation starter, a testament to the brand’s commitment to honouring the legacy of its founder, William Wood, a distinguished figure in the annals of the Newcastle & Gateshead Fire Brigade.
The 41mm case, crafted from 316L grade stainless steel and finished in a brushed dark gun metal grey, presents a contemporary yet robust profile. Its 13.5mm thickness and 49.5mm lug-to-lug measurement ensure a comfortable presence on the average wrist. The unidirectional glass bezel features printed lume markings, offering a tactile and visually appealing element. However, it is the caseback that truly sets this timepiece apart.
A screw-down construction features an opening ingeniously shaped like a fire exit door, through which one can observe a rotating disc showcasing a dynamic animation of the iconic fire exit man in full stride, perpetually escaping the flames – a whimsical touch that injects a sense of playful intrigue. The words “fire exit” are also printed with lume on the caseback, ensuring visibility even in the darkest conditions.
One of the most captivating features of the Fire Exit Watch is its unique day wheel. Positioned beneath the vibrant green glass dial – the exact Pantone colour of a fire exit sign – this wheel displays a different action of the fire exit man for each day of the week, rendered in C1 grade lume. From “Late for work” on Monday to “Partying” on Saturday and “Relaxing” on Sunday, this playful complication adds a layer of personality and charm rarely seen in timepieces. The first initial of each day is subtly placed in the bottom left of the date window for clarity.
The green glass dial itself, with its applied fire exit arrow and baton indices also filled with C1 grade lume, creates a striking visual statement. The dial and indices are subtly curved, adding depth and dimension as light plays across the surface. A gun metal grey seconds track with white printed markers completes the dial’s distinctive aesthetic.
Protecting this intriguing display is a domed sapphire crystal, treated with an anti-reflective coating. The glass is subtly tinted with a medium blue hue, a poignant tribute to William Wood’s 25 years of service on a shift pattern known as The Blue Watch. The bezel is also crafted from glass, creating a harmonious visual continuity with the crystal.
Powering the Fire Exit Watch is the Swiss-Made Sellita SW220 Day Date Movement, a reliable self-winding mechanism with a 41-hour power reserve, 26 jewels, and a frequency of 28,800 beats per hour. The movement features hours, minutes, sweep seconds, day, and date functions, with the latter neatly positioned at 4 o’clock.
William Wood’s commitment to honouring firefighters extends to the strap, crafted from upcycled British racing green fire hose from the UK Fire & Rescue Service, sewn into a rubber mould with the poignant inscription “Made from rescue materials.”
A custom buckle, shaped like a fire exit arrow and finished in gun metal grey with a lume-filled green arrow marker, further reinforces the watch’s unique theme. Presented in a British racing green Italian leather box inspired by a fire exit sign, the William Wood Fire Exit Watch, priced at £1495, is a compelling and characterful timepiece that celebrates a noble profession with a distinctive and engaging design.
