William Wood is resolutely defending itself against a not-so-veiled accusation of plagiarism by fellow British watch business Isotope.
The controversy dates back to the British Watchmakers’ Day on March 9, which brought this country’s design-led industry together under one roof for a bit of mutual reinforcement, hive-learning, general back-slapping and soaraway retail sales.
José Miranda, founder and creative director of Isotope Watches, didn’t get the script, and has taken to Instagram to highlight what he feels is plagiarism of its Fire Exit watch.
“Some extraordinary followers, customers and friends brought to attention the “new” fire exit watch available in the market,” Mr Miranda begins; studiously avoiding naming William Wood.
“Some said let it slide, that “it’s an honour to be copied”. But when there’s an elephant in the room and no one has the guts to talk about it publicly, as owner and creative director of Isotope Watches, I feel that something has to be said to minimise future replicants in the watch world,” he insists.
“How unnecessary it is to plagiarise other people’s work. It may have different design cues or features, but that’s not the point,” Mr Miranda continues. “The point is the idea behind the concept. That’s what’s hard. The colour palette and the name of the watch leave no doubt about what inspired it,” he concludes.
Isotope launched its Fire Exit watch in 2023. William Wood, which is not named in the open letter by Mr Miranda, created its Fire Exit watch as a special edition for British Watchmakers’ Day.
William Wood might not have been named by the Isotope founder, but comments on his Instagram post immediately made the connection.
Jonny Garrett, founder and CEO of William Wood, has not publicly joined the argument, but told WatchPro this morning that he had written to Mr Miranda and provided “categorical evidence” that the company had started designing its Fire Exit watch prior to Isotope’s watch going on sale in March last year.
William Wood has built its brand around watches with a connection to firefighting. For example, it makes straps out of recycled fire engine hose and its logo features a fireman’s helmet.
Mr Miranda told WatchPro this morning that he will not be retracting anything he said in his Instagram post.
He reiterated that he had not named any brand in his attack on plagiarism, but hoped that any watch business that used the fire exit concept after his launch in 2023 should learn from their mistake and withdraw their product.
Asked whether he would fight all the way to court, he said he would prefer organisations like the Alliance of British Clock and Watchmakers to take up the cause. He does not intend to take the issue any further as long as his concept is recognised as original and protectable.
