Did you remember the 21st night of September? Even if you didn’t, we’re here to give you some watches that celebrate the elements of Earth, Wind, & Fire!
One of the best, and perhaps also one of the most annoying, songs ever made is “September” by Earth, Wind & Fire. But whether you love it, hate it, or simply don’t care for it, no one can deny that it is a groovy piece of music. Me? I’m a big fan, and I go out of my way to make sure both myself and those around me always remember the 21st night of September whether they want to or not.
But what does that song have to do with the watch world? To be honest with you, not much. But the band’s name has always got me thinking about how elements like earth, wind, and fire are perceived and used creatively. In the band’s context, the three elements are astrologically linked to the birth chart of Maurice White, their founder.
But what watches perhaps best represent those elements in the industry? Well, read on and find out, as I highlight a selection of Classic Choices and Indie Picks that encapsulate the attitudes of Earth, Wind & Fire.
Earth
Classic Choice: Arnold & Son Globetrotter 42 Steel
When I was thinking about watches that best represented Earth, I wanted a piece that captured not just the dirt beneath our feet, but the entire world around us. In that sense, no other kind of watch does this better than a worldtimer. So why not highlight one of the most underrated worldtimers of them all?
The Arnold & Son Globetrotter 42 Steel, released in 2025, revisits an unconventional classic in the brand’s overtly dressy roster. Other than the Longitude, the Globetrotter is about as sporty as the Arnold & Son catalogue really gets. Originally released in a 45mm-wide, over 17mm-thick case, this version slimmed things down significantly to 42mm wide and 15.1mm thick.
It’s still big and bold, sure, but you still get that incredible depth from the oversized bridge arcing over the Earth display, time zones, 24-hour register, and hidden hands. And it’s not just the front of the watch that’s a looker, either.
Arnold & Son’s Cal. A&S6122 is a movement as beautiful as it is functional, powering the world time complication while sporting a custom rotor and Rayons de la Gloire (Rays of Glory) guilloché across its main plates and bridges. While the two references available in either green or blue are limited to just 88 pieces each, it’s still worth a look should you find one available in the wild.
References: 1WTBS.K01A.C0263S / 1WTBS.F01A.C1242S
Price: CHF 18,300
For more information: ArnoldAndSon.com
Indie Pick: Erebus Twenty-Four Contour
In terms of Earth-related watches, the other side of the coin entails boots on the ground more than eyes in the sky. But what if you could get representations of both in a single watch? Australia’s own Erebus does just that with the Twenty-Four Contour collection, presenting a rugged field watch aesthetic with a bit of a twist.
From the outset, it looks like the average field watch, with the specs to back it up: a Miyota 9000-series movement, 50m-100m of water resistance depending on reference, et cetera. However, when the clock strikes 12, the true complexity of the watch reveals itself. As opposed to standard 24-hour indicators, the numerals at each position shift between 12- and 24-hour time. Showing 1–12 during the day and 13–24 during the night, it’s the truest version of the 24-hour display, which surprisingly has a storied history. A story for another time, maybe.
Despite the heritage-inspired complication, the watch presents itself in extremely modern 38mm and 40mm case sizes. Furthermore, the Contour line takes its name from the brand’s unique dial finish. Displaying a set of contours inspired by topographical maps of terrain, the Erebus Twenty-Four Contour breathes new life into an otherwise old-school watch complication.
References: Erebus Twenty-Four 38 / 40
Price: AU$829
For more information: ErebusWatches.com
Wind
Classic Choice: Bell & Ross BR-03 Helipad
Wind, in the context of watchmaking, as opposed to the others, is perhaps the most clear-cut element of the three. Naturally, the mind first navigates to pilot’s watches. So, of course, I immediately have to cite a brand that’s become famous for explicitly referencing such inspirations in all its designs.
French brand Bell & Ross takes its brand ethos seriously, consistently creating watches that feel as though they were ripped out of a plane and put onto the wrist. But for all its commitment, it still finds time to showcase the world of aeronautics through more creative and fun interpretations. Having made watches mimicking radars, horizon displays, and gyrocompasses, its recently added BR-03 Helipad may take the cake as the most creative combination of aviation and timekeeping imaginable.
The dial depicts a helicopter atop a helipad, where the pad indicates the hours, the helicopter’s nose the minutes, and the blade the passing seconds. It’s a fun display of time that you genuinely won’t find anywhere else, bolstered by the brand’s ever-reliable BR-CAL.327 movement. Set in a case of lightweight black ceramic, it still carries the look and feel of the flight instrument silhouette, but with a playful look that’s bound to spark a conversation when seen.
Reference: BR03A-HE-CE/SRB
Price: AU$7,400
For more information: BellRoss.com
Indie Pick: Norqain Wild ONE Skeleton
Until a few weeks ago, when I covered the latest Norqain Independence Skeleton, I’m somewhat ashamed to admit how below-the-radar this brand was for me. But now that I’ve researched them, I understand their passion for creating truly sporty timepieces built for precisely that: sports!
And when it comes to representing Wind in the watch world, Norqain’s ultra-light Wild ONE collection was the first that sprang to mind. Coming in a wide array of stunning colours, the Wild ONE can range from this modest grey reference all the way to bright oranges and turquoise. If you really wanted to, you could even go into Norqain’s Wild ONE-of-1 Program and make one completely custom for yourself!
But the colours aren’t the main focus, as the brand uses its proprietary NORTEQ carbon fibre to make the watch shockingly light on the wrist. Six times lighter than steel and 3.5 times lighter than titanium, you won’t even feel the 42mm case on your wrist.
Inside, the weight reduction continues with the skeletonised Cal. NB08S movement. Not only is it reliable with its Sellita architecture, but it’s also COSC Chronometer certified! Complete with 200m of water resistance, it’s an extremely capable watch that runs like the wind, and feels like it on the wrist, too.
Reference: N3000.07Q42.B18
Price: AU$9,450
For more information: Norqain.com
Fire
Classic Choice: Chronoswiss Area 51 Delphis Firestarter
It almost feels like a crime making a Chronoswiss a Classic Choice. However, I’ve not seen many other watches wear such a fiery inspiration on their sleeve quite as much as they have. How could it be any more evident? From the titanium-core Nano Shell Red case to the bright red enamel guilloché, the Area 51 Delphis Firestarter demands attention and boldness from any direction, in any circumstance.
With its fire comes unconventionality, as the watch displays time in a completely unique way. The watch is a jump-hour retrograde, powered by Chronoswiss’ own Cal. C.6004 automatic movement. As time passes, a skeletonised hand arcs across the top to indicate the minutes.
Reaching the end of its arc, it jumps back to zero, while a window just below the minute track simultaneously progresses to the next hour. A black trefoil shape, inspired by the nuclear symbol, rotates below for the small seconds. Combined with its bold design, the Area 51 Delphis Firestarter is both an exercise in aesthetics and a mechanical flex, bound to impress even the most puritanical of watch enthusiasts.
Reference: CH-1429RE.1E-BKRE
Price: CHF 38,000
For more information: Chronoswiss.com
Indie Pick: William Wood Fire Extinguisher
With fire, however, comes danger. But I found just the brand to help cool things down. Meet William Wood, a British microbrand that is inspired by, takes inspiration from, and openly helps firefighters in the United Kingdom.
Specifically chosen here is the Fire Extinguisher, which wears a broad 41mm case diameter and 15mm thickness. But if Chronoswiss’ Area 51 Delphis Firestarter pays homage to the element itself, William Wood’s Fire Extinguisher is its diametric opposite. Instead of using fire as its main cue, the dial of the Fire Extinguisher has a white pearlescent finish meant to mimic fire extinguisher foam.
If the firefighting aspects of the watch weren’t already apparent, it even comes with an upcycled rubber strap made from fire hoses, available in a multitude of colours to mix and match. Complete with a reliable Cal. NH35 movement, the Fire Extinguisher is a watch that is as strong and resilient as the individuals it was inspired by.