Say hello to the new Fossil Defender
I never thought this would happen, but a recent search on the Fossil site brought up a new line of Fossil Defender watches and custom bands. Fossil has brought back my favorite line of their watches! It has been fantastic this year to see Fossil do some throwback pieces and products that speak of the older watches and advertising -- the time period that I focus on with this site and accompanying Facebook group. I certainly love the new watches and have way too many than I care to admit, but the oldies are where it's at for me and many of you. My hope is that these throwback watches, the limited and special editions and now the accompanying Defender line isn't just a marketing thing for the 30th anniversary, but that this trend continues.
These are just some of the new cases that are showing up on the site. You have several options for a band that needs to be ordered separately - all bands appear to be 20MM
In addition to the excitement I feel for the return of Fossil Defender watches, I can't help but wonder if this site had anything to do with the return of the Defender line. Honestly until a few years ago there was nothing online about older Fossil watches. I don't get paid to do this site and don't have any sponsorships or product drops for what I post about. I saw a need and filled it as a collector and this year the metrics have been through the roof! Fossil Defender is the number one traffic driver to the site and the metrics recently have been showing quite a lot of traffic from Fossil corporate. Put that together with some other signs and something was stirring.
Thanks also go out to you, in addition to the traffic -- the emails and photos you send along help to build the galleries and checklists that drive interest. With all your help, The Fossil Defender gallery is coming along nicely, with some recent new additions.
I am very excited and I hope that this line of watches does well for Fossil. Who knows maybe the next stop would be bringing back the Fossil Collectors Club? Wink, wink, nudge, nudge.....
Fossil Collectors Club Kits - one for the archives
With a site called Fossil Collectors Club, one would have thought a post like this would have been created many years ago to showcase all of the various kits from 1994-1998 that was available to members. Leave it to our friend Heino to spot the gap and create the post below.
1994 Fossil Collectors Club Kit
The 1994 Fossil Collectors Club Kit came in a paper box filled with some goodies. The box itself is a work of art, hard to display, but it is covered with 50's scenes.
This one was the first kit of a series of 5 (1994 to 1998) and was only available in USA.
As found in later kits, the paperwork is a real gem of information and some misc. print items also exist such as the membership card with the club member's name on it. A nice Collector's Club pin is included, along with a branded t-shirt.
The 1994 Fossil Collector's Club watch is a beautiful piece and very unique. Has a timeless design and is very clean. The watch is model number LE-9442.
1995 Fossil Collectors Club Kit
The 1995 Fossil Collectors Club Kit came in a pizza box basically filled with many goodies. The box itself is a work of art, hard to display, but it is covered with 50's scenes again.
This one was the second kit of a series of 5 (1994 to 1998) and was also only available in USA. This one has the most items. Similar items to the 1994 kit, but this one includes and issue of the Fossil Times -- the much coveted newsletter collectors are always looking for! On the back of the Fossil Times is the limited edition checklist.
Kit includes the pin and a the membership card -- see a detailed post on the 1995 Fossil Collectors Club kit and also some more details photos on Flickr. A brochure of items is also included, but apparently mine was missing this.
A t-shirt is also included in this kit. The shirt only has the logo on the front with no other markings anywhere.
The 1995 Fossil Collector's Club watch is a beautiful piece. Has a timeless design and is very classic. The watch is model number LE-9464.
Heino says, "I found this piece online – I was very happy to get it because it wasn`t available in AUSTRIA! Special of my watch is that it is number 00001 of 10000!"
1995 Fossil Collectors Club Kit
1996 Fossil Collectors Club Kit
The 1996 Fossil Collectors Club Kit came in the first tin box and filled with the usual goodies. The tin is really a nice piece of art and is really nice to display vs. the pizza boxes.
This one was the third kit of a series of 5 (1994 to 1998) and was the first watch which was also available in USA and in Germany (Fossil Europe) – the Germany Collectors-Club was started in 1996 and Heino was an Austrian a member of it since the beginning.
One of a great pieces in the kit is the Mini Bobbing-Head-Fred, it's a smaller version of the Fred displays used in stores.
Some miscellaneous print items also exists such as the membership card. Included also is a Collector's Club key-fob. Also had a sticker inside.
The 1996 Fossil Collector's Club watch is a beautiful time-piece. Has a nice pilot-watch design, shows a plane and I get comments on this watch all the time when I wear it. The watch is model number LE-9475.
1996 Fossil Collectors Club Kit
1997 Fossil Collectors Club Kit
The 1997 Fossil Collectors Club Kit came in a tin box like a little travel case basically filled with some goodies. The tin itself is a work of art and good to display. I like how the goodies appear in the kit -- really nice for display and storage.
This one was the fourth kit of a series of 5 (1994 to 1998) and was the second watch in Germany ( Fossil Europe ) – the Germany Collectors-Club, which started in 1996.
The mini-globe is unique and basically is the same as the big globe displays used in stores. The globe did signify it was a Collectors Club version. Kit also included postcards, which were a first. Postcards in detail can be found in an earlier post.
I've posted before on the 1997 watch and there are various bands -- I've seen stainless and leather. The 1997 Fossil Collector's Club watch is a beautiful time-piece. It shows a little world-card like a compass. The watch is model number LE-9489.
1997 Fossil Collectors Club Kit
1998 Fossil Collectors Club Kit
The 1998 Fossil Collectors Club Kit came in a tin box like lunch box. Of all the kits, this is the most fun to display.
This one was the fifth and the last kit of a series of 5 (1994 to 1998) and was the third watch available in Germany ( Fossil Europe).
A nice addition to the kit and previous kits is the mini display piece. This kit featured a mini train, which is the small brother to the larger train used in store.
The 1998 Fossil Collector's Club watch is unique because it's the only pocketwatch created for the Collectors Club. It came on a heavy duty chain and featured in a nice wooden box. The watch is model number LE-9492.
1998 Fossil Collectors Club Kit - final one :(
Heino's Fossil display collection (archives)
As I posted a few weeks ago, we have a Fossil world record holder in our midst and Heino has graciously offered to write-up an article on some of the ceramic collectibles he has in his collection.
For the sake of this article, we'll call these the Fossil "ceramic" series. Take a review and if we've missed any we would love to know!
Fossil Phone Card
Remember the 90's? Remember the phone card craze before we all had mobile phones? I didn't know it at the time, but Fossil got in on it as well.
I got this card from one of our readers last year who kindly mailed it to me and I recently found it again while swapping offices. It's 10 free minutes from Fossil with services provided by MCI.
Wonder if it still works?
We have a Fossil World Recorder Holder in our midst....
If you haven't been over to the Facebook page in awhile, I encourage you to check it out. We've had quite a bit of activity lately from who I am calling, "Fossil's biggest fan". He has been posting pictures on Facebook of items that I had clue existed. I've gotten his permission and I'm reposting some of his pictures of his collection below. Included in the gallery is a local newspaper article in German that states Heino was or is still a World Record Holder for Fossil collectibles with over 1000 pieces in his collection! A translated version is below the images.
Highlights of the gallery for me include catalog pages of merchandise you could order from Fossil. Including a glass display gas pump! The organization of his collection is amazing and has given a few of us collectors some display ideas. More pictures are forthcoming as Heino takes more. Enjoy!
“My room is almost a little museum!“
The Guinness-book makes it official: Heino is the world biggest Fossil-Item-Collector
In the year 1995 Heino S. has discovered the brand Fossil for himself and since then he collects everything to the Texas watchmaker.
He's always been a fan of the USA of the 50s, so he came to Fossil. The Texan watch manufacturer specializes exactly to this style and now produces also sunglasses, leather goods, jewelry and clothing. In a glass case in “Dornbirner Messepark” (a shopping-center in Dornbirn, Austria) for the first time he has seen Decoration Materials of Fossil: "That appealed to me immediately." And already the passion was aroused. "By the time a lot has accumulated," admits the 26 -year-old. But by contact with Fossil Europe he realized that but still some missing him and he went specifically to look for the small and large decorative jewels. Most of his collectibles he could wheedle various shopkeepers with more or less effort. His favorite piece, a glass case, a U.S. gas pump modeled, he was able to save from Salzburg before disposal.
About 1000 pieces
Currently contains its recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records collection more than 1000 pieces: “My room is almost a small museum" Fortunately, the company Fossil produces more and more, so there is for Heino always news to collect. So he tries via the Internet to get to the popular parts. But the fossil collectors are sown rather rare. Anyone who wants to report to exchange purposes or for interest in please contact: fredq(@)gmx.at
Fossil Road Trip Retrospective -- all about anniversaries
As you know Fossil is celebrating the big 3-0 this year, it's a huge deal. I'm super pumped for some of the 30th anniversary watches they've released on their sites so far and excited to see more. I've already bought 2 (don't tell my wife). I bought the LE1018 limited edition watch with all the 30th anniversary goodness and I bought the Special Edition Townsman Three-Hand Leather Watch - Brown FS4899.
Now let's get vintage: 20 years ago Fossil released the 10th anniversary commemorative watch with Fred Q. Fossil on the tin and on the dial. Watch details:
- LE-9447
- 10,000 made
- Released in June 1994
- $60.00 original retail
From the tin:
This Limited Edition Watch was produced to Commemorate FOSSIL's 10th Anniversary. This is one of a 10,000 piece series commemorating this event.
20 years ago Fossil also released this 10th anniversary brochure called the Road Trip Retrospective. I've scanned all the pages and you can see some of the watches through the years 1984-1994 along with some facts about the 80's and 90's.
Throughout the 12 pages it tells the following story:
"Time changes, styles change, a nation changes, you change your socks. What remains constant is a need to express ourselves & relax. Chasing down the ice-cream truck,, a trip to Graceland, a walk with the dog, or maybe a Song in the Shower. It's your choice not your Cousin Edna's to express, to be heard & most importantly, understood. Even if we don't share the same language or travel the same road."
Last anniversary to celebrate is the launch of this site. Fossil Collectors Club has been around for exactly 4 years (to the day)!
Reasons to get excited
I have to be honest that I’ve been super inspired lately with the stats on the Fossil Collectors site, the activity on Facebook, the emails I’ve gotten from random people and some of the things I’m seeing online around older Fossil merchandise. The Facebook group has been around for a few years, but lately I’m adding new people on almost a daily basis and then on the other hand, I already got a few emails this year from visitors to the site who aren’t on Facebook. Really great dynamic and as long as you’re a fan – it’s all good. It’s been great. I’m even getting excited on some of the newer stuff it looks like Fossil has in the works for the 30th anniversary – I don’t work for Fossil or get paid for this, but I saw some 30th anniversary items and I’m excited.
Anyways I wanted to feature some images I got from an individual who emailed me. It’s a Fossil DE-1534, not sure the difference in this watch vs. my DE-1500, but his watch features a stainless steel band, which is not one I’ve seen in my years of collecting these. Most of my Defenders, the newer ones have a SS band, but not these older ones.
Also including pics of a DE-1537 on the bottom, one of the few Defenders I don’t have. Looks great with the original brown leather band.
I’ve added these to the Defender Guide as well as few others I’ve gotten in recent months. Keep the notes and emails coming. Happy collecting (and wearing)!
a new year and a new post
I need to confess my sins to everyone. It's been a year since my last post and I can't believe it - I'm horrible! My hobby hasn't changed and neither has my pursuit of collecting Fossil watches and corporate swag. I bought more watches in 2013 than any other year (don't tell my wife), but in the same breath 2013 was the busiest year of my professional career. I travelled all over the world and as glamorous as it sounds, it's a lot of work and prepartion before the fact. 2014 proves to be a better year for work/life balance and I'm already working on some changes to this site for 2014 -- it's on my goals for 2014, so it will get done!
Happy New Year to all. Here's some of my thoughts for site in 2014.
- I'm working on a new site design a new domain registrar. The URL will stay the same, but the look and feel will be changed. I've already upgraded Squarespace to the new platform and working on the bugs with the migration from their 5 platform to 6. So far I am not happy with the template selection and not savvy enough to make it look "vintage".
- Looking at ways to make the site more interactive. I've met some greater Fossil nuts than me on this journey and I want to give them the opportunity to post and/or share their knowledge -- right now the posts are limited to me (I apologize).
- I'm toying with removing the forum and just forcing everyone to use Facebook.
- If you aren't on the Facebook page, please join -- I'm much more active on there and so are you!
- Open to suggestions from anyone!
- The majority of the web traffic to this site is people looking for Fossil Defender. I have plenty more Defenders to post, but I'm going to remove the prices off of the Defender guide. The prices on eBay are awfully high lately and I shutter to think it's my fault.
There you have it. What's in store for the future.
I leave you with my latest find. It's a new Fossil watch still sold in stores, I got a great deal on it over the holidays at the outlet store in Jeffersonville, Ohio. It's a JR-1432 Compass Chronograph Leather Watch.
Cheers and Happy collecting in 2014!
Happy Anniversary from my wife to me -- JR-1432
Fossil postcards (some New Year fun)
Let's start the new year off with some fun. I went a little crazy with my scanner on holiday break and I scanned another catalog (Spring/Summer 1995), some brochures and a few postcards I had. The catalog is forthcoming, I have to catalog the pages and do some fancy editing to host the images, but here's 3 of the 4 postcards that came with the 1997 Fossil Collector's Club kit. Happy New Year!
Screenshots below with the URL for a Photoshop file (.psd)
Some well needed updates and new Fossil Limited Edition Checklist
First of all, Happy Autumn! It's been a busy few months and I want to thank some of you for reaching out to me -- great to see passion and interest with our little site and also being envious of some of your finds. I've been going through my Fossil stuff and created a list of topics to talk about and I WILL be more active on the site, forum and Facebook page during the fall and winter months. Once the weather turns here in the great Northeast, the bikes, the kids toys and my 1958 Chevy go into storage and we begin the hibernation process until April. It's really a great time of year (until it snows).
Anyways onto the updates.
I've updated the Fossil Defender guide with some recent additions from eBay and my personal collection. You'll find more recent pricing and some additional models that I had no clue existed. I've recently picked up a few Defenders on eBay that I'll be posting about soon. One of the Defenders DF-2001 has all the paperwork, manual, felt box and a nice little pillow. I've been after this one for years!
The forum. The discussion forum doesn't get a whole lot of traffic and I am going to start posting and encouraging more conversations there. A long time collector emailed me some pics of his massive collection that is for sale and I'm in process now of gathering up the images and listing out the pricing. I encourage you to do the same. As much as I love eBay, I hate the fee structure and dealing with 0 feedback bidders, so if we could buy/sell/trade watches in the forum it's a great example of a community and it's free. Go for it! Also a great place for general conversations especially if you don't use Facebook.
Limited Edition Checklist. An ex-Fossil employee met up with us on Facebook and one of his first orders of business was to update the checklist. I admit the original one I had on there was just a copy of a checklist I found in some old Fossil literature. It could be a full-time job to update this checklist because of the massive amount of Limited Editions out there! Our new friend has done the hard work and here's your new updated checklist!
New Fossil Limited Edition Check List
Finally just a reminder that there is a Facebook group out there for Fossil Collectors. There is a bit more activity on there and more day to day type of posts. I've gotten a few emails from people saying they aren't on Facebook and not to focus on it, I get that, but if you are on Facebook please consider joining our group and adding to the discussions.
Happy Collecting!