Fossil.com via Archive.org
Ever go to www.archive.org? It’s a great site where you can travel back in time and see what various websites looked like in the past. I’ve used archive.org frequently to research Fossil watches and limited edition releases that were listed online. Most of what I know about Fossil Defender series watches I’ve pulled from this site. Too bad I couldn’t order one online.
For fans of the old Fossil advertising campaigns, archive.org is your place to go to see some of the artwork in action on the web. Below is a sample of some of the artwork I have pulled from the site. Sad thing is I can remember some of these pages when they were live back in 1996 and now they are archived for historical purposes.
Anyone out there know if I could use some of these pictures on this site? I’ve been tempted to use some of these images from time to time on a few pages, but I’ve always refrained. This post is simply showing the images that you can find on some of the old Fossil sites on www.archive.org
One of the most intriguing pictures I’ve seen is the picture of the Fossil bus. Don’t know the story on it, but it looks cool and it definitely had to be a show-stopper.
Fossil Pocket Watches
In the past I have had a few questions come to me on Fossil pocket watches. In addition Fossil pocket watches generally show up in the search results of the site as well -- so there's an interest in the community. Personally I am not a fan, but I know Fossil has done some pocket watches in the past and some of them were limited releases. Some of the limited releases appear on the Fossil Limited Edition Checklist.
Later models (post-1995) tend to appear on eBay and are usually fairly expensive. The Harry Potter Quidditch pocket watch is probably the most expensive one I've seen and has the coolest packaging. Fossil Defender also had 2 pocketwatches - the DE1522 and the DE1523. Both of which are one our Fossil Defender Series page
A few months ago I provided my limited knowledge over to someone over at Antique Pocket Watch and they wrote a really brilliant article on Fossil pocket watches that I highly recommend reading. I normally would provide a hotlink, but since they never acknowledged my site or the checklist in their article or even a THANK YOU, I'll simply tell you to copy and paste this URL in your browser and check it out.
http://www.antique-pocket-watch.com/fossil-pocket-watches.html
Fossil Around the World Poster
I've posted a few times on my love for the Fossil Around the World Series. There were 5 watches in that set and a bonus clock if you bought all the watches and mailed in the proofs of purchase.
I've highlighted some of the watches before here including the Cruise-O-Matic watch and the bonus clock. Future posts on the other 4 watches are forthcoming, I promise.
The poster in my office says Around the World, but I don't know for sure if it's related to the campaign from the mid-90's. The branding is consistent with the marketing materials from the 5 watches and for goodness sake it does Around the World, but I have a few other items that say Around the World and I know they are not related to the watches. Most bizarre item I have is my everyday leather belt, it says Fossil Around the World on the tag. So this was most likely a poster hung in the store that just advertised a short-term campaign.
Regardless of its heritage, it is a cool piece and I proud to display it in my office. It measures 27 inches tall and about 21 inches wide. The poster is mint and I bought a cheapie frame to frame it in my office. I love the guy at the bottom of the poster and I have seen in the past a cardboard display piece of him holding an actual tin.
The only Fossil poster hanging in my office
The New Automatic: No Battery Required - Men's Automatic ME1033
Collecting Fossil watches and advertising memorabilia has kept my collection solely based on the 90's. In an effort to keep my collection nice, I don't normally wear these watches when I'm out. I look to supplement my collection with more modern Fossil watches that have the look and colors that work best for me and can take a little beating on the job.
One of these more recent purchases in my collection is this Men's Automatic Fossil Watch, more specifically it's the Automatic Champagne Twist watch ME1033. Watch was originally marketed in early 2008 and it was the flagship of the Automatic line at $175.
Watch is one of my favorites simply because of it's subtle automotive theme. The secondhand gauge hits a big 60 and the automatic portion of the watch is gauged by full or empty. It's a beautiful watch, has a great classic look, but it's huge. The heaviness of the watch (10.56 ounces) lets you know it's still on your wrist and the thickness of the case (15 millimeters) ensures that when people see you that the first thing they look at is your watch.
One of the best parts of this watch has to be the Automatic feature. Having dozens (or hundreds) of watches requires some upkeep. A stock of batteries is always on hand and I dread Daylight Savings time changes, but this watch makes all these easy. A full charge last about 2 days and changing the time from a dead stop is extremely easy.
The watch has a lot going for it, but unfortunately I don't think it ever sold well. In January of 2008 I received an email from Fossil announcing it's arrival for $175 and in the summer months of 2008 I saw my local Fossil outlet store had about 6 of these watches for $70. This past summer I saw some of these watches still in the showcase there, they also had different variations of this watch. I saw a black one with red highlights and it was even cheaper, it was pretty "interesting" and sold for $57 at the store.
Watch details:
Model Number: ME1033
Case diameter: 41 millimeters
Case Thickness: 15 millimeters
item-weight: 10.56 Ounces
Water resistant depth: 50 Meters
Fossil Collectors Club Flickr Group
Recently I created a Flickr group for the Fossil Collectors Club. I am not a big fan of Flickr, but it's the best photo gallery site out there that allows for groups and tagging. Currently we only have 13 photos out there. Let's fill it up with all your Fossil items. If you don't know how to use Flickr, leave a comment here and we'll get back to you.
Check out the Flickr group and add some photos!
http://www.flickr.com/groups/1325961@N25/
Also we are on Facebook.
Fossil Solar Watches
Taken from the Fossil Limited Edition Checklist we know that there are 4 known different Fossil Solar watches that were in limited production. These watches were released in 1994 and other solar powered watches made by Fossil are not known. The appeal of these watches are great much like the Automatic watches. They are virtually maintenance free and by not having a battery it makes the task of opening up the back of the watch nonexistent, which is a major plus for me.
Recently I came across a men's Fossil Solar watch on eBay. This watch is model LE-9439 and it's listed as Basic. The other variants in the Solar family are Retro and Sport. The Basic model also features the date. This watch originally cost $125!
With a few hours in the sun it ran for over 24 hours. The watch is water resistant to 3 ATM.
I'd love to see if anyone has one of these watches possibly with paperwork or maybe even a package that it came in. I'm keeping my eyes open.
Return of Fossil Defender series?
While browsing through the latest Fossil catalog in the mail last night I came across something familiar. Check out the latest catalog by visiting Fossil.com and check out page 32. Fossil is now promoting the Vintaged Bronze collection and oddly enough a-lot of those watches resemble Fossil Defender watches from the 90's. Now the coloring is different, but the face of the watch and the font of the numbers is exactly the same.
Look at one example. The image below is Fossil Defender DE-1501. Nice watch and very unique.
Fossil DE-1501
Here's the new version from the Fossil Vintaged Bronze Collection DE5009.
Vintaged Bronze DE5009
So not exactly the same, but really close and did you notice the model numbers? Fossil Defenders were always DExxxx or DFxxxx and look at the model numbers of these watches. They have ranges in the DE1000's and DE5000's. Someone at Fossil is respecting the Defender Series.
Click Fossil Vintaged Bronze to view the latest selection on Fossil's site and click Fossil Defender to view our Fossil Defender guide.
Fossil Puzzle
Lately I have been trying to get my hands on some of the non-watch stuff from Fossil. One of the items I saw a few years ago was a Fossil puzzle based on tin 0015C, the tin with the 50's scene and the 1956 Chevy. It took awhile, but I finally came across one with the tin. I've only seen 3 of these in recent years.
The tin measures 8 inches long by 5 inches wide perfectly. It's a little thick at 1.75 inches deep. The puzzle has over 100 pieces. The only marking on the tin is a model number GB-1003. You're guess is as good as mine. No other markings or advertising is on the item. Would love to know the original cost. In reading a few things online over the years on Fossil, I'd imagine this came as a promotion for buying a watch during the holidays or some other type of promotional period.
Anyone have any more information on this? Any other puzzles made?
Fossil Puzzle 0015C
Fossil Broadcasting watch
A nice oddball watch that I have come across from Fossil is the Fossil Broadcasting watch. Watch features a nice timeless design with the iconic image of a tv or radio tower on the face of the watch. Watch says 1959, which I think is odd considered most Fossil stuff says 1954. What the significance of the year 1959 on the watch is I am not sure.
This watch is cool because it wasn't a limited edition or a collector's piece. I have no idea what year this watch came out (I'm guessing 1994) or even the production run details. I'm assuming since it wasn't a limited edition piece (no LE in the model number) than it should have had a run of more than 20,000. Model number on this one is EC-6819.
Interesting enough I had a Fossil t'shirt from 1999 that featured the same tower on top of the earth.
Fossil Broadcasting
Fossil Coffee Shop
When I started this site back in February 2010, I was mainly thinking it could be site to talk about my favorite Fossil watches from the 1990's. As I started writing and sorting through my collections I have found that my passion for Fossil runs past watches and into the oddball merchandise they produced and so does yours! The stores and displays in the 1990's had some great merchandise. Some of the items I have and have seen I am not even sure if you could buy it in the stores, but the internet and collector's forums have really allowed us to find some great stuff. The past few months I have sorted through my collection and hope to have more regular post on watches and of course the oddball advertising pieces that I really love.
Wanted to highlight a recent eBay find - a Fossil Coffee Shop mug. I have only seen 2 of these and the first one sold for $30 on eBay. I paid $9.50 for this and it's well worth it. The mug is white and is styled after the diner coffee cups from the 40's and 50's. No other coffee mug is styled after this one. The logo is a circle with a worker and it says, "Servin it up since 1954"
Servin it up since 1954