Fossil, the watch brand normally associated with a wide range of youth oriented mid-priced quartz watches, often with retro or vintage designs, has just launched a new range of more upmarket contemporary automatic watches, which will be launched globally.
The collection, known as the Fossil Swiss line, is a distinct step up in price and quality for the brand, with watches retailing from £625 to £950. The watches will be available both at Fossil stores and online.
The new look collection is distinctly sober, conservative and elegant. These are classic day date three handers and chronographs with Swiss automatic movements. Specs include a smallish 38mm casing, sapphire crystal lens and an exhibition case back.
With water resistance to 50m, the movement is a Swiss made 26 jewel STP-1-11 with a 46-hour power reserve. Dials are decorated with numerals and rectangular indexes. The watches are finished with open case backs and feature either a full-grain leather strap or a stainless steel bracelet.
The Fossil brand was founded by Greek American Tom Kartsotis in 1984 after his brother Kosta indicated that there were good profits to be made from imported mid-range watches. One of the hottest stocks at the moment, Fossil is based in Richardson, Texas. It sells products, including watches and leather accessories in 100 countries around the world. In 2010 stock prices more than doubled for the company, with a 40% increase in global sales. Today the Kartsotis brothers are among the top 50 wealthiest Greek Americans in the USA with a net worth of $400 million.
