William Wood Triumph Automatic Chronograph Collection

Brand definition has seldom been more important than it is in 2021. Following a year of lockdown, brands are becoming more cognizant of the new challenges they must face. Bridging the divide between products and customers has never been harder. The brands that will meet with the most success in this vein are those with a strong story, an identifiable aesthetic, and a memorable character that can transcend the need to hold an object before committing to its purchase. As such, William Wood looks well-equipped to weather the current storm, and its new Triumph collection, released earlier today.

If you’re unfamiliar with the William Wood brand, we’ve got you covered. Please take a look at our previous article focused on the brand’s most recognizable piece, the Valiant automatic. The brand is stepping things up this time around, though. The release of the Triumph collection welcomes automatic chronographs to the lineup for the first time.

Not only do we have three watch head colorways to choose from, each one of the watch heads is immediately transformed by your choice of strap (of which there are three also). For example, pairing the blue dial with the red or yellow fire hose rubber strap (instead of the blue which seems its most natural fit), results in a totally different look. If you want to push the boat out further, there is even a green fire hose strap and a metal bracelet to choose from.

Welcome upgrades

I was lucky enough to handle the William Wood Valiant in person. I thought the build quality was pretty darn good, and lined-up with the asking price well. The Triumph collection obviously takes the brand to its highest price point ever, but that is clearly justified by the Sellita SW510 chronograph mechanism within. It’s pleasing to see that the brand made quite an effort to bring a novel (and well-executed) dial design into play at the same time as upgrading its movement game.

The uni-compax layout is my favorite style of chronograph, for some reason. I think I enjoy the symmetry. It is also one of the only layouts that I think looks balanced with a date (at 6 o’clock), because this nets off with the 12 o’clock logo one would expect to find on a standard watch dial layout.

There is something seriously cool about this sandwich dial layout. The two luminous sub-dials are flattened off towards the bottom. Consequently, they resemble a couple of dashboard gauges. Is it particularly functional? Actually, no, not exceptionally. But does it give the William Wood Triumph Chronograph collection something to talk about? Yes. it really, really does.

The specs

Beating away inside the new Triumph models is the Swiss-Made Sellita SW510 Chronograph. Elapsed time is recorded for up to 30 minutes. It is indicated by the color-coded central chronograph seconds hand and the minute sub-register at 3 o’clock. At 9 o’clock, you will find the going seconds hand, linked to the passing of normal time. The chronograph is operated using the antique brass-plated pushers on the right-hand side of the case.

The SW510 has a 48-hour power reserve and a 4Hz operating frequency.

These pushers mesh particularly nicely with the overall design of the Fuel model. The Fuel is the one with the gray dial and the yellow strap as standard. It is also my personal favorite. The Fuel model has golden hands and a brass bezel, tying the chronograph pushes in even further. The SW510 has a 48-hour power reserve and a 4Hz operating frequency.

At 41mm wide and 15,5mm (thanks in part to the bubble sapphire with AR coating) the William Wood Triumph chronograph is a stocky but well-balanced watch. Having had the Valiant on my wrist, I can attest to the interest perspective offered by these high-dome crystals, which, in all honesty, are my favorite elements of each design. The instantly recall a vintage aesthetic, referencing the hesalite crystals that might have been used in days of yore, but would certainly not have stood up to the environments the WW Triumph series concerns itself with reminding us of.

…just 250 pieces per colorway.

The case back view is a humorous nod to the brand’s links to the fire service and works very nicely with the overall aesthetic. Here you see a (non-functional) fire alarm. The case back is also decorated with each piece’s limitation as these models are restricted to just 250 pieces per colorway.

Straps

The straps of the William Wood Valiant and Triumph series are obviously talking points. These upcycling firefighters’ hoses won’t be for everyone. I kind of like it, however (especially the yellow one — I’m a sucker for yellow). Considerately, though, the lug width of the Triumph chronograph is 20mm. That means should you find the rubber hose straps a bit too much for every occasion, you can easily sub them out for an after-market alternative, or flip the watch head onto the optional bracelet. Colorway-wise, the red model is referred to as “Heat”, the blue model carries the “Oxygen” moniker, and the yellow-strapped/gray dial, is known as the “fuel”.

Some favorable buying conditions

These watches went on sale today so, if you fancy adding one to your stable, you’ve probably got a little bit of time to jump on the wagon. But if you need a little push, William Wood is offering a few perks for the first 100 Triumph customers. Firstly, the first 100 sold will be charged at a 12% discount off the normal retail price. That means you will pay £1,895 instead of £2,150. You will have the choice to either pay in full (£1,895), or £632 per month for three months (£1,895 in total), or, if you prefer to spread the cost even further, £358 per month for six months (amounting to £2,150).

…choose your case back number…

Additionally, you will receive the watch three months before the general public. Within the package, you will find a fetching pair of antique brass cufflinks. You also get the chance to choose your case back number. And finally, you will receive a hand-signed thank you letter from the founder. Every watch has a three year international warranty from the date of receipt. It is also covered by a 30 day free returns policy. Learn more about the brand and reserve your William Wood Triumph chronograph watch here.