343 Watches
Put a Piece of History on Your Wrist
343 Watches offer a unique collection of timepieces with a compelling history. Our watches are crafted with steel dials containing a special element – steel from the World Trade Center after 9/11. Each timepiece represents a piece of history, allowing you to carry a powerful story on your wrist.
Made with Steel from the Twin Towers Site
Why are our watches so special? We have taken metal that was in the debris and wreckage at the Ground Zero site after 9/11 and incorporated that metal in each and every 343 watch. With three hundred and forty three firefighters and two thousand, six hundred fifty three other victims losing their life on that tragic day, this is our way, time will never let them be forgotten.
343 Watches
343 Watch Company was founded by Horologist, Jeff Broughton. As a 33-year veteran of the Columbus Fire Department and second generation watchmaker, Jeff was destined to come up with this idea. While still working for the fire department, Jeff received a call one day from the New York Fire Department. They heard Jeff was a firefighter and a watchmaker, having one of their own firefighters retiring who was in the actual towers on 9/11 and got out just in the nick of time, they wanted a watch to present him at his retirement. This guy was sort of a watch collector is what Jeff was told. That is when Jeff came up with the idea to make a watch for this historic firefighter with metal incorporated in the watch, from those towers. And this is how the idea of 343 Watch Company came to be. Jeff named the company 343 Watch Company for the 343 firefighters that perished that tragic day.
Retired firefighter, Jeff Fletcher, with his
2-tone 343 watch in front of the list of the
343 New York Firefighters that lost their
lives on September 11th, 2001.
Above is Fire Chief Dave Whiting wearing his Rose Gold edition.
Our Watch Dials
The face of a watch is called a watch “dial”. Our dials are made of metal from the Twin Towers site after 9/11. The dials are lasered down to show the Twin Towers for an embossed look on the watch dial. Every dial is unique, shaped by the distinct blend of iron and carbon that composes the steel. The variations in these elements ensure that no two dials are exactly alike, resulting in a one-of-a-kind piece each time. Embrace the individuality that comes with every creation, as it reflects the artistry and craftsmanship behind it. We decided to leave the look of the bare metal so that you can appreciate the actual steel. Every time you glance at your watch you will be keeping those victims’ memories alive.
Our Case Backs
Our exclusive limited-edition watches features a unique laser engraving on the back that displays your watch’s individual number. With only 343 pieces available in each color, this timepiece is truly one-of-a-kind. As shown in the accompanying image, the engraving not only signifies its limited nature but also transforms it into a historic collectible, perfect for passing down through generations. Don’t miss your chance to own a piece of this remarkable collection!
Our Movements
Discover the engine of our 343 watch brand: the movement. Our timepieces feature an Automatic movement crafted with 26 jewels by Sellita, a renowned Swiss manufacturer. Switzerland is celebrated as watchmaking capital of the world, and many prestigious brands like Tag Heuer, Longines and Sinn rely on Sellita movements for their exceptional quality. We proudly incorporate the Sellita SW-200 in our watches, ensuring precision and reliability in every tick.
Our Crystals
Discover the exceptional quality of our watches, featuring sapphire watch crystals. These transparent components, also known as watch glass, not only offer a clear view of the dial but also provide superior protection. Among the various types of crystals available—acrylic, mineral glass, and sapphire—sapphire stands out as the most durable among all. Experience the ultimate scratch resistance and elegance that our sapphire crystals bring to your timepiece.
Our Watch Cases
Introducing our latest timepieces, inspired by the iconic Rolex Submariner. This watch features a rugged yet elegant design, making it perfect for both work and formal occasions. With a 40mm case, it offers a comfortable fit for both men and women, embracing the trend of unisex styles. Experience the perfect blend of durability and sophistication with our versatile watch that stands out in any setting.
Our Bands
All of our metal watch bands have removable links. These links have screws, not pins. Pins are more difficult to remove and over time end up coming out on their own. By using screws, simply take a small eyeglass screwdriver and remove the screws to remove links as needed to fit your wrist. This avoids taking it to a jeweler to have it adjusted. Also, on the underneath side of the clasp is a slidable adjustment. Because our wrist sometimes swell with temperature change, this allows you to simply slide the band in the clasp to adjust, instead of taking out links. Making our watch bands always comfortable on your wrist. Our metal bands also come with solid end links for added safety, preventing wear on the watch pins.
Our Watch Boxes
Our watches will come to you in a box like the one shown here. This is not only a box, it is a watch winder. When you’re not wearing your automatic 343 watch simply place the watch in this box and turn it on by the button on the back. This will turn the watch about 15 minutes of every hour to keep your watch wound so the next time you wear it; it’s on time and ready to go. Movement keeps our watches running, so while you’re sleeping or you’re not going to wear the watch for a couple of weeks, simply put the watch back in the box and it will quietly keep the watch wound up. This box runs on battery or it comes with an a/c adaptor.
343 Watch Stories
The Story Behind the Name
Why 343 Matters On September 11, 2001, the world stood still. Nearly 3,000 lives were lost in the attacks, and among them were 343 firefighters who rushed into the Twin Towers, fully aware of the risks they faced. For many in the fire service, “343” represents more...