Fossil was founded in 1984. At that time, timepieces were more of functional accessories rather than fashion pieces. Fossil changed to transform that notion through their unique combinations of vintage 1950s Americana designs with affordably cool styles. They also hatched up a unique marketing ploy with their iconic watch boxes that represented creativity, pop culture, and colloquial American senses of humor. So much so, these iconic boxes are now as popular as their watches and have become a worthy collectible items. Fossil staying true to its innovative origins has also helped to introduce new technologies into watches, such as the Wrist PDA system. Our Fossil Automatic Watch review will bring forth some of their best automatic pieces over the years.
Fossil’s Journey To Ascendency
Fossil was founded by a Greek-American Tom Kartsotis in 1984. Tom, a former Texas A&M University student living in Dallas got the idea of starting this company from his older brother, Kosta.
Kosta, who was a seasoned merchandising executive at the Sanger-Harris advised his brother on the potential profits to be made on imported retail goods from the Far East in the western markets. Obviously, the key product was fashion watches. They’re affordable yet stylish, ideal for the mass market.
Over the years Fossil has made some big acquisitions to prosper their watch-making expertise. They purchased the Swiss brand Zodiac watches for $4.7 million in 2001, Skagen Designs Ltd for approximately $225 million in cash and 150,000 Fossil shares in 2012, and recently in 2015, Fossil acquired Misfit for $260 million.
Today, Fossil produces more than 300 different styles of watches and the majority of designs are crafted by their in-house designers. Fossil has also brought in contemporary artisans like Philip Starck and famed architect Frank Gehry to create uniquely modern timepieces.
Reviewing Fossil Automatic Watches For Men
Fossil Men’s Neutra Watch
Fossil Neutra amps your daily styling with its industrial skeletonized mechanical design. The Neutra Automatic is an expansion upon the successful Neutra legacy. To provide you with more convenience, it comes with 10 color and band variants.
It has a rose-gold 44mm wide stainless steel-made case size while the band size falls to 22mm in width. The automatic mechanical movement works with a three-handed analog display. The skeleton dial allows its user to see the inner workings of the watch. Rotating the crown clockwise 40 times will restart the timepiece if required. It’s a self-winding watch with a hardened mineral crystal scratch-resistant lens. The black dial and a genuine brown leather buckle band complete the bold yet minimalistic look. The Neutra carries the Fossil standard water resistance capacity of 50m (165ft) which makes it suitable for short periods of recreational showering and swimming. Diving or snorkeling is not encouraged with this watch.
Relic by Fossil Men’s Cameron Automatic Sport Watch
Relic by Fossil is an American lifestyle and watch brand. The brand aims to create uber-modern, accessible designs. All of their accessories and watches are made to fit your everyday lifestyle.
Relic Cameron has 2 color variants: all black and silver-gold. Its stainless steel case has a diameter of 42mm and a 22m wide band. It’s also equipped with quartz automatic movement, a luminous 3-hand analog display, and a mineral crystal dial window. The gray skeleton dial reveals the inner workings of this magnificent automatic watch. This is also a self-winding watch that has a water resistance level of 50m (165ft).
Fossil Men’s Everett Automatic Watch
The Everett Automatic is one of the newest additions to the Everett family. The Everett comes with 3 distinct color variants – black and brown, black and gold, and smoky black. This timepiece is an inspired version representing the past of integrated cases and Fossil’s own vintage DNA.
An analog sports watch that comes with a stainless steel 42mm wide case and an 18mm wide band. The band is dark brown eco-leather with a tang buckle and the dial comes as black-hued. Its automatic quartz mechanical movement works with a 3-hand analog display while the skeleton dial lets the user see the inner workings of the watch. This self-winding watch has a hardened mineral crystal scratch-resistant dial window too. It has a standard 50m (165ft) water resistance which is suitable for minimal recreational swimming and showering.
Relic by Fossil Men’s Damon Automatic Dress Watch
Our 2nd Relic by Fossil selection. Relic is known for its American watch and lifestyle products. They’re responsible for creatively delivering accessible and elevated casual designs through their watches. With each of their signature watches and accessories, they combine a perfect mixture of classic style with modern optimization – a true fit for everyday lifestyle.
Damon has 2 color variants – gold brown and silver. The model features a gold-tone stainless steel case with exposed gears and a stunning brown faux Croco strap – a perfect combination of style and function. This automatic watch features a gold-tone stainless steel-made 50mm wide case with a 22mm wide brown band. This big case houses quartz automatic movement with a skeleton dial. This model doesn’t have a calendar function and only has a 50m (165ft) water resistance.
Fossil Men’s ME3104 Automatic Watch
Last up on today’s selection of Automatic Fossil watches is this all-black sleek timepiece. The ME3104 watch is built with a 44mm wide black stainless steel case. The case has a combination of a brushed and polished finish. The black-toned band is 22mm wide amplifies the dial polish better on the eyes. This round watch comes with a dual-textured white dial featuring a partially skeletonized face, Roman numerals, and open lugs.
The silver-toned dials are very easy to read and the hour markers stand out well with the contrasting black background. The 2 small sub-dials along with a keyhole skeleton detail expose a portion of the automatic quartz movement. The automatic movement can also be viewed through the exhibition-styled case-back. The glass protecting the front and rear is made of a scratch-resistant mineral crystal lens. The ME3104 model also comes with a 50m (165ft) water resistance rating.
Things You Should Know Before Purchasing A Fossil Watch
- Fossil watches are typically equipped with Japanese quartz movements. For many, this movement is considered a mid-range option. But, understand this, Japanese movements are far better than Chinese movements. In terms of accuracy, they’re sometimes not as good as Swiss movements.
- Another keynote is that you should always take your time before going for a Fossil watch. Fossil has a large selection of many different styles to appeal not only to a lot of niche watch collectors but also to a large segment of casual wearers.
- In terms of the price range, these have a wider range too! – Which should be good news for us all. The range is between $50 and $1,000 for most of their watches. This suitable average price range puts Fossil watches toward the top of fashionistas’ picks.
- Fossil watches are great options for those who want a high-end American timepiece but do not cost an arm and a leg for it. And Fossil luxury watches cost a fraction of any Hermes or Cartier watch.
- Fossil watches are perfectly suited for your professional image. From business meetings to make a first impression at a formal event – it’s ready to upstage you and your confidence.
- Fossil watches have that strong American reliability factor. All of their watches are well constructed and made from stainless steel. Meaning Fossil watches are more durable and less likely to need any repair.
- Fossil works with some of the top designers in the horology industry. Famed architect Frank Gehry and Philip Starck are part of its designer team – which says a lot!
- If you typically like to wear less expensive digital watches, then the price of a Fossil watch may make you feel enthusiastic about buying them.
- Also, if you’re into very high-end luxury watches then you’ll see that Fossil watches don’t have enough features to satisfy your craving.
- Fossil watches also offer a limited 2-year warranty. For the price, their warranties should be longer.
FAQs
Which Automatic Movements Does Fossil Use?
Most commonly, Fossil equips their watches with a high-quality Japanese automatic quartz movement. For a few other models, they also use the Swiss-made STP caliber 1-11 movement.
Is A Fossil Automatic Watch Worth Buying?
Fossil timepieces are among the best price-to-quality watches on the market today. Their watches are accurate, durable, amazing-looking on the wrist, and priced very reasonably.
How Long Do Fossil Automatic Watches Last?
A Fossil wristwatch can serve you up to 10 years or even longer provided you’ve taken care of it properly. Fossil also provides a 2-year warranty on their watches.
Conclusion
If you’ve been wondering about the purchase of your maiden Fossil watch or contemplating if Fossil is the brand to go for, we hope that this Fossil Automatic watches review article helps you land on a decisive decision for you. It’s fair to say that this American watchmaker is indeed a trustworthy brand choice not only for you but for people around the world also. Fossil is seen as one of the most valuable fashion watch providers along with many traditional European brands. Its wide array of unique styles and head-turning designs with ultra-complex mechanisms makes it an easy pick for us. Fossil is a brand that fares against its competitors extremely well in the same price category. Thus becoming not only a top choice but also a safer one!
