FOSSIL TIMES, ISSUE 4, VOLUME 1 - FOSSIL COLLECTORS CLUB GOES INTERNATIONAL

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Greetings fans and welcome to another edition of the Fossil Times in 2017. As stated in previous posts the order becomes a bit blurry -- we know Volume 2 came after Volume 1 in 1994. Sometime in 1995 (don't all good stories start that way?), the next edition got a little confused and it's calling itself Volume 1, Issue 4 -- which is something we've already discovered before

Let's not focus on the numbers and remember that content is king and this newsletter holds some treasures for the mid-90's collector.  The display case on the front page is from Korea and we can't help but wonder where it is now? Looks like they had some good stuff including the 16 inch tall Fred Q Fossil.

Superman makes an appearance in this newsletter and we've actually gotten many complaints that we don't talk enough about the Superman limited editions. Well here is a sneak peek of "The Man of Steel" launched in October 1995. How many Superman Limited Editions are there? Anyone? Anyone?

I've saved best for the last "Fred Fossil Soars Through Cyberspace" Launching in September of 1995, be sure to fire up your Windows 95 PC with a 1.0 GB harddrive and visit Fossil.com for all your Fossil watch, FSL Sport watches and leather goods. The website is a treasure trove of information and it's still active via archive.org. Man I wish they still had a Collector's Corner.....wink wink nudge nudge.

Please enjoy the last newsletter we have from 1995. Next stop 1996!

FOSSIL TIMES, ISSUE 2, VOLUME 2 - The World Prepares for DEFENDER!

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Continuing our proud tradition of posting Fossil Times newsletters online about 20 years too late, we are pleased to have found a monumental issue -- Issue 2, Volume 2 - The World Prepares for DEFENDER! Some say we post too much about the Defender line on this site and not about other collectibles. Whelp here's our chance to talk more about Defender because it's next in line of a long line of Fossil Times newsletters.

What we like about the launch of the Fossil Defender line (in 1995) was that Fossil already knew that the line was going to be different -- some might say a risk, but deviating from the tins and launching special straps was a nice differentiator and they highlighted it early. Looking for those cardboard boxes and original straps are still something Defender collectors are searching for.

Moving on...other noticeable announcements are the Surfer launch LE-9465 in the custom wooden box. It wasn't until early 2017 where we finally got our hands on one -- 22 years later, sensing a theme here? 

Besides Defender background, the other history lesson here is the tins. Believe it or not there are still tin collectors out there, this article on page 3 outlines a quickie history lesson. If you haven't already look for a book from Fossil called Tinspiration for all your Fossil tin needs -- that book is also becoming rare.  

Now for your enjoyment please find Issue 2, Volume 2 below and as always whatever happened to Gianni Menozzi and his fabulous Fossil collection? Please honor his achievement of collecting 121 Fossils in one year!

Limited Edition Fossil Q x Cory Richards – a new Blue

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Have you seen the news? There’s a new Fossil Blue in town and it couldn’t come at a more popular time. There’s a video, a blog entry, a press release and I got a special email about the new Limited Edition Fossil Q x Cory Richards smartwatch based on an old Blue watch Richards has. My first thought in reading the coverage, was “Hey I’ve been a Fossil enthusiast longer than Richards, where’s my collaboration?” I’m famous in my own world and I just so happen to be an expert in my opinion. I’m open for any collaboration, I have lots of ideas – let’s do this! Okay jealously rant aside, this is wonderful news and Richards seems like a great guy and from what I read it’s the first of a few collaborations in the future. Now that got my attention.

What makes this collaboration timely and why I'm highlighting it so soon after it's launch is the mention of the Blue watch. When the Underground Fossil Collectors Club site launched in 2010, a lot of the questions and comments were about the watches & advertising from the early to mid-90’s. In recent months a shift has happened and more and more comments and emails and search results are coming in around fans looking for particular Blue models. With all things nostalgic there is a known 20 year cycle where those things become popular again as we age and look for items from our past. Look at the popularity of the Classic NES console this past Christmas or the re-launch of DuckTales coming in the summer of 2017 or the retro Nike Air Max shoes I just bought that came right out the 90’s.

20 years ago just so happens to be when I started college and you know what watch I wore to college? Yep a Fossil Blue. What watch did all my roommates have in the dorm? A Fossil Blue. What watch did my girlfriend buy me for Christmas in 2000? Yep a Fossil Blue. They were everywhere and for years it seemed that the only watches Fossil made in those years were Blue models. I'll be disproving that theory shortly as I post more catalog scans.

Our beloved Defender series launched about 20 years after the original run. Could Blue be next? Fossil has hinted at some of the Fossil Blue series in recent launches with the Breaker, but we’ve yet to see Blue written on the face. It was refreshing to see it in this current release and let’s hope for more. Pictured below are 2 of my Blue watches that like most older Fossil watches have a special place in my collection.

AM-3054. Received as a birthday gift in 1999 from my good friend Tricia, who later that year was killed in a car crash. One of the most generous people I've ever met.

AM-3054. Received as a birthday gift in 1999 from my good friend Tricia, who later that year was killed in a car crash. One of the most generous people I've ever met.

BQ-9065. Received for Christmas in 2000 from my then girlfriend and now wife. She was making big bucks selling Sprint cell phones at Best Buy!

BQ-9065. Received for Christmas in 2000 from my then girlfriend and now wife. She was making big bucks selling Sprint cell phones at Best Buy!

Fossil Times, Issue 1, Volume 2 - Marilyn the legend the beauty

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Greetings Fossil friends! Welcome to the latest installment of previous Fossil Times newsletters. Here is where things get a little blurry as far as order. Based on 1994’s issues we posted, one would wager to say that the Fossil Times came out quarterly. We posted 4 issues and they all were numbered accordingly, Volume 1, Issue 1 / Volume 1, Issue 2 and so on. Starting with the 1995 issues, we could go one of 2 ways – Volume 2, Issue 1 or sadly there are some additional Volume 1, Issue 1 newsletters, but FEAR NOT! we’ve spent countless hours reviewing these looking for hints of dates, release information, etc and believe we have the correct order for at least the next few issues.

With Volume 2, Issue 1 we see the start of some limited editions that are still collectible today including the firemen LE-9466 and the policemen LE-9469 watches. Marilyn Monroe and Elvis watches will never be unpopular and there’s an introduction to FSL watches, which were marketed starting in May 1995 as a durable sports watch. Additional scans of FSL launch materials coming in the summer of 2017.

Two things stick out when reading this issue. The mention of the Fossil Antler Watch (DT-3201) comes up. While not valuable, this is one of the first limited edition watches Fossil did way back in January 1992 and it was limited to 5000 pieces. Even in early 1995, it was on the hard to find list. We always liked this watch because it features a 5-legged deer and oddly enough the newsletter mentions that! How about that? Secondly as always we have to ask, where is Dennis Wiens, the Collector of the Month? Stay tuned with news on Dennis – we’ll see him in further issues. Until then enjoy the hits from early 1995!

Fossil Times - Issue 4, Volume 1 - 1995 Sneak Peak

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Ah the 90's! Hard pill to swallow seeing 1995 Sneak Peak in our journey through the Fossil Times newsletters. Oh by the way this issue is 23 years old! On that note of positivity, let's dig in!

This issue isn't too exciting, unless you long for the days of licensed limited edition watches. Two things caught our attention and one is the updated limited edition checklist -- interesting that even at that time Fossil didn't have their facts straight and they admit that right here! I can't tell you how many questions we receive still on limited editions and what's what, who's on first, etc. The second interesting thing is a point we always like to make....where's Elaine Mapes now and how many Fossil goodies does she have?

Fossil Times - Issue 3, Volume 1 - Baseball Cards, Bottle Caps and Fossil Limited Editions

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Continuing on our journey of posting Fossil Times newsletters in order month by month, here is the latest version for your viewing pleasure in 2017. Issue 3, Volume 1 all the way from 1994. We had it is easy this month because if you remember we posted about the importance of a newsletter in a previous post where we highlighted this issue. The question still remains however what happened to Larry Clark?

the old bucket list of watches

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To compare a watch to something on your bucket list is probably a bit much, but did I get your attention? We all have those watches amongst other things we are always on the hunt for. It’s the thrill of the hunt that keeps us going and it’s the most fun. I have watches that I’ve hunted for years only to wear them once or twice, but at least I have them. Two such watches on my “bucket list” of watches that I would pay anything for showed up in the same day on eBay and I pulled the trigger.

Defender DF-1003
When I first starting hunting & collecting Defenders in 2009, this Defender showed up on eBay for $50 and wasn’t sure the rarity or the value. Believe it or not Defenders were selling on eBay for $10-$30 all day long, this was before a wonderful Fossil Collector’s Club website came online and prices starting going up! Who is that guy? What a jerk! Anyways $50 was too high and as the auction closed for about $56 I remember thinking that’s the one I want.

Fast forward 7 years later to a rainy, autumn Sunday morning in Cleveland, Ohio and as I’m sipping my coffee while ignoring my children who are playing Minecraft in the other room, this Defender shows up at the top of my feed! Buy it now for $59.99, done! It wasn’t until afterwards that I saw the pictures of the crown being broken and even though the listing said the watch kept time, it doesn’t! I don’t care, I have it and if you follow us on Facebook you’ve probably seen that some of these chronos from Fossil are all related and all have the same movement. Anyone know a good horologist?

Fossil Automatic Breaker LE-1015
When this watch first hit the waves in 2013…get it waves? I took notice and so did many other watch collectors and blogs. By Googling Fossil LE-1015 you’ll get a taste of the torture that we’ve experienced for many years now because these watches are highly reviewed, very expensive (for a Fossil) and extremely limited. Now and again they come up on forums for about the original retail price of $445, which is too rich for the blood of this father of 2 in the great Midwest.

LE-1015 has been on my eBay watch list for years now and has never come up and it still hasn’t come up. While working on a Sunday night (living the dream!) and waiting for files to come in, I started browsing on eBay and this watch in it’s orange waterproof case appeared as the picture with the WORST title ever for this watch – no one would know what the watch was based on the title of "Fossil Watch Thin Blue Line Collection". I felt the rush of anxiety hit me, was this it, really? Checked out the seller profile, seems legit -- view all the pictures, okay and I hit buy it now for $89. I didn’t even double check that I had $89 in my account – bought!

On the other side of obtaining these 2 rare watches, I do find myself not searching as much for other watches – I had a major score in one day and I know that’s rare, it’s nice to take a break from screen time and just enjoy having the watches and taking in the holiday season with a rare watch underneath my ugly Christmas sweater. 

Fossil Times - Issue 2, Volume 1 - Fossil Takes A Road Trip

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As promised in November 2016 - we are posting Fossil Times newsletters up on the site one at a time. Last month we strolled down memory lane to the year of 1994, when the Fossil shops took flight. Fast forward a few more months (still in 1994) we are pleased to re-introduce you to Fossil Takes A Road Trip, Issue 2, Volume 1.

The main story here is the traveling road show to 60 cities commemorating Fossil's 10 year history. I actually have a few documents and things from this tour, but sadly the 2 versions of this Fossil Times newsletter are equally as bad -- one has notes all over it from the person who attended the December 9 event at Northridge, California which looks like it was changed to Newport Beach, California and the other copy is below. Enjoy!

Fossil Times - Issue 1, Volume 1 - Fossil Shops Take Flight

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What is it about newsletters? We posted about the importance of a newsletter back in 2015 and now we are ready to re-publicize the Fossil Times newsletters, albeit 1 at a time over the course of the next year. We've compiled almost all of them, so start looking for a new issue (in order) every month. We'll even create a special section to house them all! Tell your friend(s).

Without further ado....we are proud to re-submit for your enjoyment Issue 1, Volume 1 circa 1994.

Aeroflite Limited Edition Mustang P-51: The 854 Club

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Way back in 2015 - Fossil released the Aeroflite Mustang P-51 Limited Edition in partnership with the Cavanaugh Flight Museum and thus launching the Vintage Aviation Series. Are you one of the elite in the 854 club?

I’ve been eager to talk about this watch for some time! The P-51 combines a lot of loves in one watch – it’s an Automatic, it’s aviation themed, it’s a limited edition, it has a luscious brown leather strap and the packaging and marketing campaign behind the series was unlike anything Fossil has done in recent memory.

The P-51 Limited Edition for Fossil is very unique and highly detailed and I wonder if we’ll ever see more in the Vintage Aviation Series. The case was etched with P-51 Mustang Limited Edition logo alongside the number produced and your specific number in the series. The rotor in the automatic movement is very detailed and adorns The Brat III nose art and colors. All automatics should have these custom rotors…..it’s a great feature and a talking point when people ask to see my watch. Reminds me of some of the Bremont watches I’ve drooled over. The strap was unique, thick and based off of the seat harness of the plane – I hope the strap never fails!

If you ever get the chance to see a P-51 in person, you’ll notice a lot of these touches with the watch and the packaging that is similar to the plane. There are many more!

The packaging was nice bonus as well. I’m a sucker for good packaging and this kit didn’t disappoint. A wings pin adorned with Vintage Fossil Aviation logo and an embroidered insignia patch were included in the kit. What I liked most however was the attention to detail that most people overlook. The wings logo was on the packaging, paperwork, the watch and even the wallet (sold separately). The little 4-page booklet gave a nice little history lesson about the heritage of the P-51 and tied it together nicely with the Cavanaugh Flight Musuem and the design team at Fossil. All of these goodies were neatly packaged in a military themed box with a green inlay that looks very familiar to a certain green you’ll find inside the cockpit.

There was a video and social media campaign that blitzed me all at the same time and I paid attention to every one of them. The picture above that showed up in all my social feeds was that of the watch, wallet and card holder all resting together with some paracord. The video posted below again reminded me of things I've seen from the Bremont Watch Company including the videos I've studied/memorized from them. Every time I was on the fence about making the purchase, one of these images/videos would popup in my feed and I wondered how many of the 854 were left?

At a retail price of $400 the entry barrier was a bit high, but for $400 you knew you were getting something special. I took my time purchasing one and after a trip to Fossil in March 2015 to meet the team and see more about their process and passion for this series – I made the plunge and haven’t regretted it.

Aeroflite display at Fossil HQ

Aeroflite display at Fossil HQ

Watches are meant to be worn and this watch sees a lot of action (office worker action!), but I wear it all the time and it has replaced many of my previous go-tos. I also purchased the wallet, there's something childish and wonderful bout about having the outline of a P-51 Mustang on your wallet.

My actual everyday wallet -- yeah I'm a big deal.

My actual everyday wallet -- yeah I'm a big deal.

Recently I saw a refreshed P-51 face appearing on the Fossil Q Marshal commercial. Nice to see that even after this watch has come and gone that elements of it live in the newer products.

My Christmas wish for 2016 is a second watch in this series with a possible review or advance screening for our readers....wink wink nudge nudge.

Perfect choice for cocktail parties - well done Bryan

Perfect choice for cocktail parties - well done Bryan