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The NYPD Custom Watch

For the members of the New York Police Department’s Emergency Service Unit (ESU) - a legendary team within the Special Operations Division formed in 1930 - that milestone was the pride of belonging to one of the most elite and versatile units in the world. As they approached their 95th anniversary, ESU sought to create a timepiece that would connect current operators with their retired colleagues, honouring decades of service to the people of New York. The watch would serve as a constant reminder of unity, commitment, and the shared history of a unit whose duties range from the most extreme emergencies to the truly unexpected.

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316L stainless steel fine brushed case
40mm diameter
Automatic movement with 41h power reserve
200m water resistance
Ceramic uni-directional bezel
Anti-reflective sapphire crystal
Super-LumiNova® luminescence
Quick release stainless steel bracelet with microglide technology
Special project watch

Time honoured service

Drawing inspiration from ESU’s heritage, the dial incorporated the unit’s historic black and green colours, with the ESU crest positioned above six o’clock. Each caseback was engraved with the officer’s name and badge number, ensuring every piece felt deeply personal. A distinctive gold seconds hand set this special edition apart.
But the most remarkable element lay within the movement itself. Using images of the original 1930s squad truck, Nomadic created a custom rotor shaped in its silhouette, resulting in a stunning tribute to the unit’s origins. This miniature 1920s-style police truck now powers the watch with every movement of the wrist, connecting each officer to nearly a century of ESU history.

Custom Engraving

Custom Engraving

Each caseback was engraved with the officer’s name and badge number, ensuring every piece felt deeply personal.

Watch Dial

Watch Dial

The design carries the race within it. A subtle outline of the North West 200 circuit is etched into the dial, a quiet nod to the course where precision meets danger.

Custom Rotor

Custom Rotor

Nomadic created a custom rotor shaped in the silhouette of a 1930s squad truck, resulting in a stunning tribute to the unit’s origins.

Hand delivered by our founder.

When founder Peter McAuley travelled to New York to hand-deliver the finished pieces, he witnessed firsthand the extraordinary breadth of ESU’s capabilities. Officers Sarro and Ruppert guided him through equipment ranging from advanced riot gear and anti-terrorism tools to deep-sea diving apparatus. Their stories, from high-risk rescues to responding to a crime scene only to discover a fully grown tiger in a New York apartment - revealed a unit defined by versatility, courage, and readiness for anything.

What began as an idea became an officially commissioned watch.. It is a wearable emblem of service, unity, and pride. A lasting connection to a moment in each officer’s career, to the heritage of a 95-year-old unit, and to the unwavering spirit of the ESU.

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