Hands on Review - THE BATMAN™ X FOSSIL Limited Edition Automatic Set LE1142
/In preparation for a new collaboration with Batman to coincide with Batman Day on September 26, 2021 we featured an article showcasing some background on the 1989 collaboration, a first for Fossil. The 2021 collaboration came and went rather quickly and not for reasons we’ll discuss today. Fossil has created yet another Batman collaboration just in time for the latest Batman film out in theatres on March 4, 2022 and this time they nailed it.
Please note at the time of this posting I have yet to see the new film, so this review won’t be witty commentary on an almost 3 hour movie, but instead Fossil Fans & Batman fans alike we’ll take a deep dive on this new limited-edition Batman watch from Fossil.
Fossil has just released an entirely new Batman collection and while I struggled for a hot second on which watch to purchase I went with the limited-edition automatic LE1142 Batman watch. There is also a Riddler watch available with a mismatched strap that would drive my Type A/OCD personality crazy! Oddly enough my 15-year-old son wants the Riddler watch vs. his fruit-based smartwatch – so there is hope we can convert him to the traditional watch route!
We need to start with the packaging. In all the years of receiving Fossil watches delivered at home I’ve never seen a Fragile: Handle with Care label! I knew this watch and the unboxing was going to be different and I’m happy to report no damage to the watch and it didn’t arrive in a dented tin like some of the previous limited-editions I’ve purchased recently. Spoiler alert there is no tin with this set.
Once you’ve unpackaged the shipping box, you are presented with a very beautiful black DC and Fossil themed heavy-duty box. Unlike other Fossil limited-editions that come in a box, this box is HUGE. Measures about 7” high and 6 11/16” wide and comes in weighing a total of just over 2 pounds (with watch included). The logos and red font on the box let you know this is a collectible and it even states “designed by collectors, for collectors”.
Take the lid off the box and you are presented with a stunning presentation. The thought, care and obvious collector input in how this is presented is ever present from every angle. The hearty base is something I am going to want on all my collectible watches from now on and as an added bonus doubles as a storage bin for 2 extra straps. The utility theme of the base is appreciated and knowing Fossil there are cues to this in the movie with Batman’s suit and kit, which I’m excited to see. The extra straps remind me of some older Fossil sets including the James Bond set from 1998 (pictured below), those straps had a canvas option with special stitching along with the compass too!
Previous Batman/Fossil collaborations garner feedback that the watches looked childish or comic book like and I agree! The latest collaboration however is not childish and IMO looks like something Batman would wear himself – he likes his logo on his kit, so why wouldn’t he wear a 43mm watch with his logo on it? The watch is dark, the logo is subtle and oh that font! Love that font and oh btw look at the lume, it is green! I for one am looking forward to wearing this watch in the theatre and seeing Batman light up on my wrist in green.
The watch is a limited-edition with only 3368 pieces made. It is a weird number and a high compared to most other recent Fossil limited editions. The fact that this is a Batman themed limited-edition that doesn’t look like a cartoon with an automatic movement is reason enough to make the purchase.
The Batman X Fossil Collab LE1142 with all 3 included INTERchangeable straps
True fans know that we rarely talk about the movements in Fossil watches. For the average Fossil collector or even Batman collector most aren’t concerned with the watch movement. I was surprised to learn that the automatic Japanese movement is a Seiko NH35A. What that’s mean for you, yes you…..the eventual purchaser who just zoned out? It means you get a very accurate, common movement that doesn’t require batteries – this is a good thing and means it’s easy to get repaired if/when it requires service. Fossil has or had their own in-house automatic movements and I wonder why this decision was made, but I’m not mad about it.
The beautiful part of the movement is people will never know. The back of the case showcases the movement with the Batman logo. I love how the Batman logo stays put 100% of the time right side up vs. some other pieces I have where the movement itself would have the logo on the rotor that spins.
Lastly in closing if you’re on the fence about a $300 Fossil watch, I get it - it’s a lot of money for a Fossil watch. It’s worth it. After seeing some feedback on social media and articles from proper watch review sites stating that movie themed watches are childish, I felt that maybe my decision was a hastily made mistake. All of that changed however when I had the watch in hand and felt the heftiness. Also don’t forget the joy of the unboxing - cannot stress that enough!
As a 40+ year old man I’m happy I made the splurge and I wouldn’t hesitate to wear this piece.
That being said two things I wish this set had:
A women’s version. Lot of Batman fans out there and a 43mm watch is huge for some fan girls out there.
The display base needs a glass or at least a clear lid. The finish of the base and the watch will attract dust and fingerprints. I’ll be building or finding a clear cover to place over the watch to keep it clean and brilliant.
Check out the LE1142 on Fossil.com now
If the Riddler is more your speed - check out LE1141 on Fossil.com