Comments on: Fossil Watches Review… How Bad Can They Really Be?

By: Bill

Bill — Fri, 13 Jan 2023 17:49:02 +0000

I purchased a Fossil watch in January 2022. By December 2022 the stem had fallen out three times. The first time was a month after I got the watch. It was covered under warranty. The second time a watch repair shop reinstalled it locally. The third time it fell out, I could not find it. Fossil wants $48 to put a new stem in. I paid $79 for the watch. I will never buy another fossil watch. My previous watch was 10 years old and I never had a stem problem.

By: Justin

Justin — Tue, 10 Jan 2023 14:15:29 +0000

I currently have a Fossil Blue on my wrist bought for me 23 years ago. I’ve changed the battery a couple of times, but it still runs and looks great. It’s more a sentimental item, but I always get compliments. It’s now as ubiquitous as my wallet and smartphone. Sure I have others that are more valuable, and “nicer” but I do (upon reflection) kind of love my Fossil. I’m a bit of a fossil myself, but there’s nothing wrong with enjoying something a little old, a little out of fashion, but still doing what it was made to do. Cheers everyone.

By: Bobby Thomson

Bobby Thomson — Sat, 10 Dec 2022 09:21:42 +0000

After writing such a propagandisric article to set the tone at the beginning, I would suggest that collectors keep collecting Fossil watches from the bygone golden era of the brand. When our house was broken into a couple of years ago, the three watches I had were stolen and we were reimbursed for them. I set out to purchase 3 new watches and the design and look of the Fossil watches caught my eye. I purchased 3 different models. The biggest mistake I ever made was to purchase them. They looked nice, but their reliability and quality of manufacture are super poor. The hour numbers have fallen off many times. They are not wear anywhere and do anything watches. Two of them I have already thrown away and the third is now without a fourth hour stud, with a replacement strap due to the poor quality of the standard one and the setting nob had fallen off. The extra, small 24 hour dial’s hand has also fallen off. I will never recommend the brand to anyone again. Price tag is based on the name, but the product cannot even compare to cheapies as a total package. When I spoke to Fossil about it, they just kept on making excuses. Seems the glory days of Swiss watches is long time gone and Fossil should now be added to the old adage of “Made in Hong Kong” of the same golden period. Something to avoid.

By: Grady Wilson

Grady Wilson — Sun, 06 Nov 2022 00:23:32 +0000

Robberies are at an all time high. There are trucks traveling around Paris with LED announcements telling people not to wear their designer bags, jewelry, and yes watches particularly Rolex. That is the new world. Since Covid courts are so backed up crooks know they don’t bother with small thefts like your 5K watch. So an el cheapo watch is much safer, something like a plastic Casio perhaps.

By: Tamara BeAbout

Tamara BeAbout — Tue, 27 Sep 2022 23:12:53 +0000

My first Fossil was an LED that I purchased in the early 90’s. Unfortunately I don’t remember what happened to that watch. Sigh.

I purchased my 2nd Fossil a couple months ago. It’s an automatic. Case is approximately 2 mm smaller than the Minamalist and lug to lug an amazing 5mm shorter.

The one thing I don’t like about my current watch is that it is hard to read. If they used blue hands, like my 105 year old Elgin Pocket Watch, it would be perfect.

This Minamalist, despite being very large, is so beautiful and easily readable. Not everyone can afford hugely expensive watches. For the average person, $200 is a very expensive watch. A $100 with such elegant beauty is a winner.

If I ever find this at a store where I buy watches, it’s going in my collection.

(Won’t buy watches online after I tried on a watch I liked in the display case. Hated it on the wrist.)

By: TacoPants

TacoPants — Fri, 23 Sep 2022 15:12:56 +0000

In reply to Matt R. HS class of 2000 here! I was beguiled by those blue sunburst dial Fossil watches at the kiosk by the mall food court. Wore one proudly from Jr High until I graduated. Those were are a ROUGH 5-6 years to be on my wrist... and yet the POSsil survived remarkably well aside from normal scuffs and some small scratches to the crystal. I still have a soft spot for that thing. I always pay a visit to the back of the desk drawer in my old room whenever I go to my parents home and admire its now awkward 90s overly-organic shaped case and bracelet for a moment. Dial still looks great.

By: Matt R

Matt R — Fri, 16 Sep 2022 19:14:32 +0000

I picked one up back in high school in the late nineties. It was a two tone yg/steel number with a blue dial and two tone bracelet that didn’t fit me and I never had it sized. I was too cool for that. I rocked that watch for at least two years – then in college I got a “Swiss Army” (now Wegner I think) watch. Honestly, the Fossil was better. I kind of wish I had both of them. I came across the SA watch and the end links (not solid) were bent out of shape and I recalled that’s why I quit wearing it.

We should respect companies like Fossil/Invicta/Timex. They use economies of scale and leveraged positions with their manufacturing partners to offer great value to the customer. Just because it’s not manufactured in Europe shouldn’t stop anyone from owning one if they like them. Timex is the new darling (joining the big three Japanese brands who make all their low priced watches in China or SE Asia btw) but they stand on the same ground as other brands that produce in huge numbers, sell at malls, and are cheap compared to Europe/Japan made watches.

The timepiece you reviewed here looks pretty darn nice for what it is! I find, honestly, that I don’t like the look of most Fossils but I certainly respect them as a company and watch designer/manufacturer.

By: Kaz Mirza

Kaz Mirza — Wed, 14 Sep 2022 13:49:48 +0000

In reply to Wynne Crisman.

Hi, Wynne:

Thank you for sharing your experience with Fossil’s WearOS timepiece – that’s a shame about the bracelet. Often times when brands are looking to save money on their timepiece to try and spend more money elsewhere, it’s the bracelet/strap that usually gets the short end of the stick. I haven’t personally interacted with one of the WearOS bracelets yet, but I’ll certainly put a keen eye on the bracelet quality when I do based on your feedback.

Best,
-Kaz

By: Wynne Crisman

Wynne Crisman — Wed, 14 Sep 2022 02:27:52 +0000

I purchased one of their WearOS watches. I won’t review the OS since that is not really Fossil’s deal, but the metal link band is terrible. Try replacing one of the links and see how it fairs in your review. The pins are just sticks of metal with literally nothing holding them in place. The watch fell off my arm a few days after replacing one link and the pin disappeared. I removed another pin to inspect them and found that once removed they cannot be reinserted and expected to stay. In addition, the clasp does not open enough to get ones hand through while also being tight enough to not hang limply on the wrist. I am sure a non-metal band would be better, but that is not what I was looking for. I would not purchase again for any price.

By: Kaz Mirza

Kaz Mirza — Wed, 07 Sep 2022 12:42:04 +0000

In reply to Susan Plott.

Hi, Susan:

Do you know which models you have? For most Fossil Watches, they shouldn’t need to remove the glass/crystal in the front to replace the battery. They should be able to either unscrew or pop the back off the watch to access the battery. Here’s a good video that shows how both snap on/off and screw on/off casebacks work: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G9m-bCHl2dw

I hope this info is helpful – there should be enough here for the local jewelers near you to utilize (also I wouldn’t try to open it yourself since it’s difficult to do safely without damaging the watch).

Best,
-Kaz