Fossil Retro Pilot Series

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Vintage aviation is cool. The pilots back in the 40's looked cool and I know that wasn't the intent, but still that look is timeless and countless modern day brands have tried to capitalize on it. I've bought into it and if you Google military watch or pilot's watch, the results are endless. Who hasn't fallen down that wormhole a few times?

Fossil back in 1988 came out with the Retro-Pilot series of watches. This could very much be one of the first collections or series of watches they created. Due to the age of these watches or possibly lower production numbers they are not common - I've only seen several watches show up online in recent years. The watches I have don't even have model numbers or years on the back, but they did have model numbers and I've included them below with the images. In total there were 22 watches featured in this collection and they ranged from Paratrooper, Navy Diver and various pilot themed watches all with leather bands.

A few details is that the cases on the 2 I've had both measured 37MM, which is really small. The bands were 18MM and embossed on the leather band is Fossil Air.

Rumor has it Fossil is soon to return to these roots with a Vintage Aviation Series in 2015. Regardless enjoy the several watches I've found. I wouldn't categorize them all as pilot watches, but they are "distinct and unconventional as those daring aviators that inspired them".


Surprise ornament from Fossil

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More often than I like to tell my wife, I order things from the current Fossil catalog and with the free overnight shipping earlier this month I couldn't resist. I needed a new belt, nothing exciting and to my surprise I had a nice little vintage surprise thrown into the package.

Came with a little card that says "We created this vintage-inspired tin decoration just for you. It's just a little something to spread holiday cheer..." It also came with a to and from tag, but there is no way I'm giving this to anyone. Merry Christmas to me!

I have to say there are some items in the current Fossil catalog that is being inspired by the good old days of their advertising. There are some wallets with 50's cars on them and even a tablet leather case with robots on it. Really great stuff, but too pricey for this father of 2.

Fossil Broadcasting watch

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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

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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

Unique Fossil black watch BQ-8487

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I picked this watch up recently and I love it. It's hard to describe what it is. It's not a chronograph, but it has the dials on the face that tell the month, day of the week and the date. I am anxious to get a battery in it and see it go.

I bought this watch because it is closest thing I've seen to that vintage 40's/50's look that I love so much. Best part is I paid $15 for the watch and it came in a nice tin with the original paperwork and sleeve.

The last picture is something I've not seen before and it's just a piece of cardboard that rests in the top of the tin. Not sure of the purpose it served or on what watches/tins they were included with, but click on it and check out the image. Very cool piece of work.