Best Fossil Watches Reviews

Updated February 8, 2022

Brand History

The brand’s history starts in 1984 when two brothers (Tom and Kosta) decided to start selling affordable watches that also looked good. They started with imported goods and the first Fossil-branded watches weren’t sold until 1985.

The brothers focused on creating timepieces that people would love to wear (good-looking) and make sure to keep them at an affordable price. But is Fossil a good watch brand? Given that their name is well-known all over the world for quality, aspect, and durability, it’s safe to say they managed to create a solid brand that values its customers.

Best Mens Fossil Watches

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1 Fossil – Men’s ME3098 Watch
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2 Fossil – Coachman Men’s Watch
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3 Fossil – Men’s Grant Watch
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4 Fossil – Men’s Machine Watch
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5 Fossil – Men’s Nate Watch
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6 Fossil – Men’s Dean Watch
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1. Fossil – Men’s ME3098 Watch

Highlights

The ME3098 Fossil skeleton watch features a vintage design with modern features that will withstand the test of time. First of all, the watch has a solid build due to the high-quality materials used such as the stainless steel case and the distressed leather band. 

Furthermore, the dial with Roman numerals and black stick indices makes it easy to tell the time at a glance, while the Skeleton mechanism (protected by an amber crystal lens) allows viewers to be mesmerized by the intricacies of the watch. 

Lastly, ME3098 is automatically powered by the motion of your wrist due to a special built-in rotor. It’s also water-resistant for up to 50m, which means you can have a quick swim while wearing it.

Specifications

Material:
Stainless Steel

Pros

  • It is an impressive timepiece
  • Designed with high-quality materials for durability
  • A self-winding mechanism that doesn’t require a battery
  • Features the classic Skeleton design
  • The leather band is comfortable and elegant

Cons

  • The face is a bit too dark to see clearly in some angles
  • No date feature

2. Fossil – Coachman Men’s Watch

Highlights

The brown leather strap and inner details, the stainless steel case, and the white analog dial with a black bezel combine nicely in this rugged and solid timepiece by Fossil. Just by a quick glance, you can tell this is a watch that delivers accuracy in style, just like most Fossil watches for men.

The quartz movement powers a chronograph (subdials for minutes and seconds), a 24h format subdial, a tachymeter,  and a date window between 4 and 5 o’clock. While this may suggest a crowded face, the 45mm case is large enough to fit everything in a very neat way. In addition, the white hands have luminescent paint, which improves visibility in low-light conditions. 

To add to the ruggedness of the Coachman, the mineral glass of the dial window is scratch-resistant and the entire watch resists for up to 10 bar of water pressure. Lastly, the Quartz movement is powered by one Lithium metal battery (included in the package).

Specifications

Material:
Leather, Stainless Steel, Mineral Crystal Lens
Size:
45mm
Weight:
96g

Pros

  • Rugged and solid design
  • Genuine leather strap that can be replaced
  • Accurate Quartz movement
  • Chronograph, date, and tachymeter functionalities
  • Easy to read in low-light conditions

Cons

  • Battery is a bit difficult to change
  • The calendar display is a bit too small

3. Fossil – Men’s Grant Watch

Highlights

Classic, rugged, and stylish – the Grant is a timepiece every man can wear regardless of the occasion or social setting. The large face, the white analog dial with large black Roman numerals and markings, and luminous hands fit nicely in the stainless steel case. In addition, the genuine leather strap is solid, comfortable, and perfectly complements the watch.

The Grant is a nice Fossil watch for men that carries all the features that made the brand famous. The high-end materials, the three-hand quartz movement, and the complications that bring additional functions to the watch. As such, the Grant is a chronograph with stopwatch functionality, it has a calendar function for the day, and a subdial for the 24h time format. 

The sensitive mechanism is protected by the durable case and a hardened mineral crystal lens that’s scratch-resistant. In addition, the watch is water-resistant, but only for up to 165ft (50m), so it’s not recommended for diving or snorkeling.

Specifications

Material:
Leather, Stainless Steel, Mineral Crystal Lens
Size:
44mm
Weight:
2.68oz

Pros

  • Rugged and stylish aspect
  • The dial is large and easy to read
  • A watch with multiple functionalities
  • Good water resistance
  • High-end materials & accurate movement

Cons

  • The leather strap is stiff at first
  • White hands can be a bit difficult to observe against the white dial

4. Fossil – Men’s Machine Watch

Highlights

Designed to attract everyone’s attention, this breathtakingly chic watch from Fossil works with every casual and formal outfit in your wardrobe. The deep and dark analog dial is highlighted by the gunmetal-plated stainless steel case with a textured bezel that talks about a rugged and durable design. 

But the details that make this timepiece so legendary are the silver-tone hands, blue hour and minute markers, and blue subdials. The Machine is a multifunctional timepiece with chronograph, 24h format, and date functionalities. 

The design is made complete by the gunmetal-plated stainless steel bracelet (which can be changed with ease) that blends nicely with the case and allows the focus to fall on the black dial and blue subdials. 

Overall, this is a gorgeous six-hand Quartz movement timepiece with good water resistance and a beautiful anti-scratching hardened mineral crystal lens.

Specifications

Material:
Stainless Steel and Mineral Crystal Lens
Size:
45mm
Weight:
5.5oz

Pros

  • Gorgeous & large face with an analog dial
  • An impressive combination of colors and textures
  • Good water resistance and durability
  • Six-hands Quartz movement
  • Chronograph, 24h format, and date functionalities

Cons

  • The clasp can become undone on its own
  • The links in the bracelet are large so it’s a bit difficult to get an accurate fit

5. Fossil – Men’s Nate Watch

Highlights

While it is rather big, the eye-catching design and all-black style make Nate timepiece one of Fossil’s most interesting products. You have to love the rugged build with a stainless steel bracelet and case and the hardened mineral crystal face that’s scratch-resistant! 

The textured dial features a three-hands Quartz movement with four complications – three subdials for 24h format, minutes, and seconds, and a date window between the 4 and 5 o’clock hour markers. In addition, Nate is a chronograph that can be used to time various activities. 

Now, it may seem a bit difficult to read the black dial with gray hands and hour markers, but the luminescent paint on them makes it easier to distinguish the details even in low-light. Lastly, the watch is designed to resist up to 50m of water, but it’s not recommended for snorkeling or diving (even though it looks incredibly rugged).

Specifications

Material:
Stainless Steel, Mineral Crystal Lens
Size:
50mm
Weight:
10.4oz

Pros

  • A rugged design fit for adventurers
  • Impressive build and high-end materials
  • Eye-catching due to the all-black style
  • Lots of cool functionalities
  • Luminescent paint for improved visibility

Cons

  • It is rather big and can look oversized on small wrists
  • The strap is a bit short

6. Fossil – Men’s Dean Watch

Highlights

If you’re looking for a sexy timepiece that’s both manly and stylish, the Dean is one of the best Fossil watches for the job! Luxurious and refined is the overall impression of this handsome, golden, stainless steel timepiece that can be accessorized with most formal outfits. 

The only element that breaks the uniformity of the design is the analog champagne dial that features a large face with a three hands Quartz movement and four complications for the day (in the 3 o’clock position), chronograph functionalities and 24h format. But to add to the equation, part of the dial is textured and the hands and hour markers have slight white tones to them. Also, there’s a split-second track ring around the dial that’s in tune with the subdial markers. 

Lastly, the stainless steel bracelet is secured on the wrist with a fold-over deployment-clasp closure with push-button release.

Specifications

Material:
Stainless Steel, Mineral Crystal Lens
Size:
45mm
Weight:
5.48oz

Pros

  • Luxurious and refined look that attracts the eye
  • Chronograph functionalities
  • Three-hands Quartz movement
  • Solid build with stainless steel case and bracelet
  • Durable in time

Cons

  • The watch looks big but it’s rather lightweight

Best Women's Fossil Watches

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1 Fossil – Women’s Hybrid Watch
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2 Fossil – Women’s Riley Watch
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1. Fossil – Women’s Hybrid Watch

Highlights

This Fossil watch for women combines modern tools such as notifications, activity tracking, and sleep monitoring with the classic look of an analog timepiece. To do this, the watch needs to be paired with the Fossil Smartwatches App on your phone and can perform a series of smartwatch functions. 

At first glance, the watch looks exquisite, with its white dial and silver stainless steel case featuring a Hybrid movement with silver-toned hands and Roman numerals hour markers. But when you take a closer look, you’ll also notice the beautiful craftsmanship and attention to details that went into making the dial and the bracelet. 

The two-toned stainless steel and silicone bracelet blends nicely with the case, crown and two buttons creating an eye-catching and luxurious ensemble that’s also durable. In addition, the battery life is based on usage so you don’t have to worry about it running out too quickly.

Specifications

Material:
Stainless Steel, Mineral Crystal Lens
Size:
36mm
Weight:
7.05oz

Pros

  • Luxurious and refined design
  • Solid build and comfortable to wear
  • Hybrid movement
  • Smartwatch features
  • Great value for the price

Cons

  • A bit difficult to observe in the dark

2. Fossil – Women’s Riley Watch

Highlights

Fossil is a well-established brand in the watch industry and the name is a mark for quality and elegance. As such, the luminous three-hand quartz Riley design with analog display for women is one of the most popular watches for everyday wear. 

The watch catches the eye with a round, plated stainless steel case (38mm), in a rose-gold tone, with tiny crystals on the bezel. The rose-gold tone continues on the satin dial, where the hours are marked with tiny crystals as well. The ensemble is completed by the rose-gold plated stainless steel bracelet with a deployment clasp closure. 

The watch is powered by quartz movement and has built-in chronographs featured in three separate dials that keep track of hours, minutes and seconds. There’s also a stopwatch feature, a 24h timer, and the time-tracking accuracy is on point.

Lastly, the Riley watch is water-resistant for up to 330 feet (100m), which means it can take light rain, a bath/shower, or a quick swim.

Specifications

Material:
Stainless Steel

Pros

  • Elegant design that impresses through color and fine lines
  • Stainless steel build
  • Multifunctional design with three dials and stopwatch feature
  • Powered by quartz movement
  • Water-resistant for up to 330 feet
  • It comes in a classic Fossil tin

Cons

  • The color starts to fade after a while
  • The numbers on the three dials are small
  • It doesn’t come with extra lings (but you can order them for free)

Fossil Watch Buying Guide

Technology

If you compare Fossil watches with brands in a similar price tag you’ll notice they are fashion watches with a good reputation. The Fossil watch quality is provided by the Quartz movements used in most designs, but they also launched a line with Swiss movements, for better accuracy and durability.

Overall, the technology is not stellar but it is reliable and durable, which is exactly what other fashion watch brands strive towards. In addition, they use durable materials such as stainless steel, genuine leather, and hardened mineral crystal which are easy to maintain and repair. And, according to lots of Fossil watch reviews out there, these timepieces are water-resistant – a feature that prolongs their lifespan.

Where Are They Made? 

The very first watches sold by the founders were from Hong Kong, but as the brand grew, they decided to cover production as well. Today, they have factories and companies all over the world, so it’s rather difficult to say who makes Fossil watches.

Still, you can figure out the origins of a watch based on the price and the movement it features. For instance,  if you own a high-end Fossil Swiss watch with a mechanical movement, it was made in Switzerland, Germany, the United Kingdom, or Japan. Watches with high-end quartz movements are also manufactured in the mentioned countries, but also China.

What Makes them Stand Out? 

Given that this is a highly visual brand, the Fossil watch value is represented through design. All their watches are visually appealing and work in a wide array of social scenarios. Even more, they always strive to integrate modern features into classic designs, which creates rather unique products.

In addition, Fossil Group now owns a series of well-known sub-brands such as Emporio Armani, DKNY, Burberry, Skagen Denmark, BMW, and more. So, they have access to top designers to create eye-catching watches that stand out.

This also means that, for a Fossil watch, genuine leather is expected and so is high-end stainless steel or a scratch-resistant lens. But they have another element that helps the brand stand out from the crowd: their famous tin boxes painted in vivid colors and patterns.

Warranty, Return and Exchange Policy

The Fossil watch warranty is valid for two years from the date of purchase (the buyer needs to present a copy of the receipt). The warranty covers manufacturing defects, movement, dial, and hands, and only applies if the defect has occurred under normal use.

A watch can be repaired or replaced under warranty, but Fossil doesn’t guarantee you will receive the same model. If the model is not available, the watch will be replaced with a model similar in design and value.

If a customer is not happy with the product they received, they have the right to return it in maximum 30 days from the date of purchase for a full refund. If the return is according to their return policy, the shipment will be covered by Fossil. However, if you want to make an exchange, this can only be done in one of their stores.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Are Fossil Watches Good?
A:

The brand is well-known all over the world for its high-quality and fashionable watches. They have a wide range of models, but in most cases, you can categorize them in Fossil ladies’ watches and men’s designs.

Most Fossil timepieces have Japanese quartz movements, but they recently started a line of watches with quartz and mechanical movements. Regardless of build and type, Fossil watches are known to be affordable, good-looking, durable, and accurate.

In addition, their packaging campaign (the tin boxes) allow the watches to stand out from the crowd.

Q: How to Set a Fossil Watch?
A:

Whether you own a simple watch or a multi-function one, the setting is done via the crown.

The crown has three positions, from fully locked in to fully pulled. Now, to set the time, 24h subdial, and day of the week, pull the crown in maximum position (fully pulled) and rotate it clockwise. For the date, pull the crown to its intermediary position and turn clockwise until the setting is correct.

When you’re done, push the crown back in the first position.

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