I discovered Fossil watches when I was yearning for something cool and different. Wide leather bands have come into style in a big way and my son bought me my first Fossil leather strap watch for Mother’s Day a few years ago. I was hooked. There are so many styles from very funky to retro to super trendy to formal, that you never have to go looking elsewhere for a watch that fits your mood. Add to that that Fossil watches are very well made, are backed by an 11-year warranty, and are affordably priced, and you have a winner.

About Fossil

This is from the official website, www.fossil.com: Fossil was founded in 1984 at a time when watches were created for function rather than fashion. The company sought to fill this void in the market and began designing watches to act as a fashion accessory. Fossil incorporated a fifties Americana design into the brand image in an attempt to target value driven consumers. The concept paid off and Fossil quickly emerged as the leader of a growing industry. Today Fossil produces over three hundred different styles of watches in a line which continually changes.

Fossil has traditional leather bands, trendy wide ones, metal bands, and many other styles. They produce both men’s and women’s styles and have a nice selection for the younger set as well.

As I said, one huge plus with Fossil watches is that they warranty their watches for a full 11 years! During the warranty period the watch movement, hands, and dial are covered. The battery, crystal, strap/bracelet are not covered.

Fossil also sells sunglasses, apparel, handbags, wallets, belts, jewelry, and other small accessories but the stars of the Fossil collection are the watches.

The Straps

Fossil leather strap watches are made from thick, sturdy leather in a variety of colors including black, brown, tan, cream, red, pink, blue, and patterns and florals. The straps come in midsize, which are generally quite wide and trendy. They are about 1 ˝” wide. These are the styles I have. They also come in small size which are around 1 inch wide. Some are even thinner than an inch and are very dainty.

On every leather Fossil watch, the name "Fossil" is in printed on the underneath part of the strap along with “genuine leather”. They are very adjustable with a several holes and two loops to tuck the band into. I have a very small wrist and have found Fossil watches are great for me because I can actually adjust them to fit rather than having to poke holes into the leather band and have excess strap hanging off.

The straps come in smooth and pebbled leather as well as suede. The choice is up to you!

The Faces

There are so many styles of watch faces at Fossil that I couldn’t begin to list them all. There are silver or goldtone accents on most of the watch faces. Some come with a combination of both which I like. All Fossil watches come with the Fossil name on the face. If it doesn’t say Fossil, it isn’t an authentic Fossil watch. You can choose from analog or digital styles. I prefer the hand quartz styles. Most come with second hands and a date box. I particularly like the “Big Tic’ series which blinks as the seconds are displayed on the face. It’s a cool look. Another cool innovation is blinking faces with designs. I have a southwestern one that blinks a beautiful southwestern pattern every second and I have a cutesy metal band one with hearts the blink every couple seconds. You can choose to display the design continuously, to not display the design and only have the regular face background, or to have the two alternate and have them blink on and off. I change depending on my mood. These watches are definitely there to be noticed and people notice all of mine. It is a very simple procedure to change the blinking. Just push on the little metal knob(a second one exactly like the one you use to set the watch time and date) once for blinking, twice for the design to stay steady and again to see the watch faces minus the design. There is a very low learning curve when it comes to working these watches.

Fossil also offers a variety of specialty designer watch faces. You can choose from NCAA, Philippe Starck funky digital designs, Davis cup designs, and the very chic Frank Gehry line.

The crystals are clear and durable and the sheer variety of faces assures that you will find one (or more like me) that you really like and can see well. I hate getting pretty watches but not being able to read what time it is. I choose carefully what color hands and face I pick for my Fossils so that I can glance down and see the time without going through the stress of squinting or looking for a bright light. Speaking of lights, some of these faces also light up with the push of a dial for nighttime viewing.

Overall Quality

I have had no problems with any Fossil watch I own. I have several leather ones as well as metal and all work like a charm. They don’t lose time and the batteries go on forever it seems. Setting the time is as easy as turning one dial. The date is as easy as turning the same dial, but pushed in further.

Each Fossil watch comes with quite a thick booklet of instructions and the warranty. You won’t have to guess how to use these watches, it’s all in the documentation (but you really won’t need to read it. These are easy to function watches.)

Most of the watches come in special collector’s tins which I adore. They nestle tightly in the foam in the tins and the tin can be closed with the top to avoid any dust or damage while not in use. When ordering a Fossil watch, you will be told if your watch will come to you in a collector’s Fossil tin or a traditional box. Most come in cool tins with eclectic designs on them.

Just about all of the designs are water-resistant and some are waterproof. It’s all in what you want and need. If you can’t find it at Fossil, it may not be made!

These are all around great watches. They aren’t elegant, high priced Cartier types but they are very trendy, very durable, and really innovative. The Fossil website even allows you to pick a strap and then pick a face to go with it at the “Watch Bar” so you can custom design your watch at no extra charge.

Although I said they don’t have “elegant” watches, their line of formal watches feature pretty crystals and cubic zirconias, sleek designs, and go with anything straps which make them perfect for a dressy affair id you like leather watches for formal wear. They have metal bands that are more formal and sleek if you choose to go with that look for formal wear.

Contact and Ordering Info

The official website for Fossil is www.fossil.com. Shipping is free if you order from the site. Prices range from $55-$65 for most watches. The specialty watches and some dressy watches cost somewhat more. You can also buy Fossil watches at a variety of online sites. The prices are the same at every site I went to so I always choose to buy my Fossil watches straight from them since shipping is free and the service is great.

The Fossil ordering and customer service info is as follows:

Place an Order
1-800-449-3056
(M-F, 8am - 6pm CST)

Questions
webguy@fossil.com

Repairs
1-800-842-8621

Send USA mail-in repairs to:
Metro Service Center
10615 Sanden Dr.
Dallas, TX 75238

Send Canada mail-in repairs to:
Fossil Service Center
124 Connie Crescent, Unit #7
Concord, Ontario L4K 1L7

Headquarters
2280 N. Greenville Ave.
Richardson, TX 75082
972-234-2525
Fax: 972-234-4669

The Bottom Line

I have several Fossil watches and love them all. My biggest problem has been deciding which to wear with what outfit. Because they aren’t extremely expensive, I can afford to have more than just one style. While these are certainly not cheap at $55.00 to $65.00 (higher for some specialty styles), they are worth the price in durability, looks, craftsmanship and an 11 year warranty! These are great for people who like trendy styles or something different from the usual watches sold everywhere else. You can get funky, go retro, or even surreal with the styles Fossil sells. You can also opt to stay very traditional and still get the quality and craftsmanship Fossil is known for.

If you’re in the market for a new watch, check out Fossil. You may be looking for quite a while since there are so many styles, sizes, faces, and combinations but you will find one that suits your needs and personality and that you know won’t poop out on you in a few weeks or months. Fossil is my preferred brand of watch. I do have other brands, some that are far more high end, but I always reach for my Fossils first for some reason. If you like to pay only $25 or $30 for a watch, I urge you to pay a little more for a Fossil. They just don’t seem to have a single “con” that I can think of!


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