Sadly, we are approaching the 20th anniversary of 9/11, when thousands of people lost their lives in New York City, at the Pentagon, and in Shanksville, Pa.
To honor the victims, the British watchmaker William Wood London will be auctioning off a one-of-a-kind timepiece, with all of the proceeds going to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation’s Fallen First Responder Home Program. The program pays off the mortgages held by the families of law enforcement officers and firefighters who are killed in the line of duty.
The 9/11 Time for Heroes watch was built and assembled in Switzerland’s Jura Mountains. It features dials inspired by a fire engine cab; hands mirroring water pressure pump gauges; a crown made from an original, melted-down 1920s British brass firefighter’s helmet; and upcycled fire hose straps, and comes with an Italian leather presentation case inspired by a fire alarm call box. The caseback glass has an image of the New York City skyline with the Twin Towers printed on it and is engraved with the words 09/11 20 Years.
William Wood is named after founder and CEO Jonny Garrett’s late grandfather, who served in the British Fire Service for more than 25 years. The company’s watches are made from upcycled firefighting materials, and it regularly donates proceeds from sales to both local and international firefighting charities.
“When I heard that the Tunnel to Towers Foundation was donating mortgage-free homes to firefighters and first responders, I knew this was a remarkable organization that we had to support,” said Garrett in a statement. “We are delighted to be standing alongside this brilliant organization and raising funds in commemoration of such a significant event that shook the world.”
Tunnel to Towers was founded to honor the sacrifice of Stephen Siller, a firefighter in the New York City Fire Department who died while attempting to save others on 9/11. “We are excited to work with William Wood Watches on this unique piece of firefighting history that pays tribute to the lives lost on September 11th,” says Frank Siller, chairman and CEO of the foundation and brother of Stephen Siller. “This auction will support Tunnel to Towers’ mission to provide mortgage-free homes to America’s first responders who give up their lives to keep us safe.”
Bidding will open on Monday, Sept. 6, and close on Monday, Sept. 13, and will start at $5,000. In addition to the watch, the winner of the auction will get a personal private tour of the 9/11 Memorial & Museum in New York City hosted by a retired distinguished FDNY firefighter.
For more information and to register, visit here.
Top: The front and back of the William Wood London 9/11 Time for Heroes watch, est. $5,000 (photo courtesy of William Wood London)
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