We have a Fossil World Recorder Holder in our midst....

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If you haven't been over to the Facebook page in awhile, I encourage you to check it out. We've had quite a bit of activity lately from who I am calling, "Fossil's biggest fan". He has been posting pictures on Facebook of items that I had clue existed. I've gotten his permission and I'm reposting some of his pictures of his collection below. Included in the gallery is a local newspaper article in German that states Heino was or is still a World Record Holder for Fossil collectibles with over 1000 pieces in his collection! A translated version is below the images.

Highlights of the gallery for me include catalog pages of merchandise you could order from Fossil. Including a glass display gas pump! The organization of his collection is amazing and has given a few of us collectors some display ideas. More pictures are forthcoming as Heino takes more. Enjoy!

“My room is almost a little museum!“

The Guinness-book makes it official: Heino is the world biggest Fossil-Item-Collector

In the year 1995 Heino S. has discovered the brand Fossil for himself and since then he collects everything to the Texas watchmaker.

He's always been a fan of the USA of the 50s, so he came to Fossil. The Texan watch manufacturer specializes exactly to this style and now produces also sunglasses, leather goods, jewelry and clothing. In a glass case in “Dornbirner Messepark” (a shopping-center in Dornbirn, Austria) for the first time he has seen Decoration Materials of Fossil: "That appealed to me immediately." And already the passion was aroused. "By the time a lot has accumulated," admits the 26 -year-old. But by contact with Fossil Europe he realized that but still some missing him and he went specifically to look for the small and large decorative jewels. Most of his collectibles he could wheedle various shopkeepers with more or less effort.  His favorite piece, a glass case, a U.S. gas pump modeled, he was able to save from Salzburg before disposal.

About 1000 pieces

Currently contains its recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records collection more than 1000 pieces: “My room is almost a small museum" Fortunately, the company Fossil produces more and more, so there is for Heino always news to collect. So he tries via the Internet to get to the popular parts. But the fossil collectors are sown rather rare. Anyone who wants to report to exchange purposes or for interest in please contact:  fredq(@)gmx.at

The New Automatic: No Battery Required - Men's Automatic ME1033

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Collecting Fossil watches and advertising memorabilia has kept my collection solely based on the 90's. In an effort to keep my collection nice, I don't normally wear these watches when I'm out. I look to supplement my collection with more modern Fossil watches that have the look and colors that work best for me and can take a little beating on the job.

One of these more recent purchases in my collection is this Men's Automatic Fossil Watch, more specifically it's the Automatic Champagne Twist watch ME1033. Watch was originally marketed in early 2008 and it was the flagship of the Automatic line at $175.

Watch is one of my favorites simply because of it's subtle automotive theme. The secondhand gauge hits a big 60 and the automatic portion of the watch is gauged by full or empty. It's a beautiful watch, has a great classic look, but it's huge. The heaviness of the watch (10.56 ounces) lets you know it's still on your wrist and the thickness of the case (15 millimeters) ensures that when people see you that the first thing they look at is your watch.

One of the best parts of this watch has to be the Automatic feature. Having dozens (or hundreds) of watches requires some upkeep. A stock of batteries is always on hand and I dread Daylight Savings time changes, but this watch makes all these easy. A full charge last about 2 days and changing the time from a dead stop is extremely easy.

The watch has a lot going for it, but unfortunately I don't think it ever sold well. In January of 2008 I received an email from Fossil announcing it's arrival for $175 and in the summer months of 2008 I saw my local Fossil outlet store had about 6 of these watches for $70. This past summer I saw some of these watches still in the showcase there, they also had different variations of this watch. I saw a black one with red highlights and it was even cheaper, it was pretty "interesting" and sold for $57 at the store.

Watch details:

Model Number:    ME1033

Case diameter:    41 millimeters

Case Thickness:    15 millimeters

item-weight:    10.56 Ounces

Water resistant depth:    50 Meters

Fossil Automotive Tins

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If you talk about advertising in the 40's and 50's there is no doubt you'll talk about automotive advertising. Some of my favorite items are the various automotive tins from Fossil that I have been able to get in recent years. Below are 4 tins that caught my eye a few months ago on eBay. These tins were produced between 1996 and 1999.

Tin numbers are BRC0158 (upper left), BRC0082 (upper right), BRC0065 (lower left), and BRC0135 (lower right).

Fossil Counter Advertisement

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Here's another oddball Fossil store display piece. It's a classic car paper weight basically that sat on the counter of a Fossil display. I remember items similar like this on the counter from years back. I'm a sucker for automobile advertising and nostalgia and this piece fits right in. It'll make a great piece for my desk and I only paid $34 on eBay for it.

There is no number or information on this piece, but the car swivels around on the 2" dia. base, it measures 4" x 1 3/4" x 1 1/4" and the total height is 3" tall. It's a solid heavy piece.

The watch that started it all: Fossil Cruise-O-Matic

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Back in 1996 I visited a Fossil outlet store and was immediately drawn to this Fossil Cruise-O-Matic watch. I loved the vintage 40's style and the price was fantastic ($20).

Fossil_Cruise_Face_New.jpg

It came in a little cardboard box and I had no idea at the time it was a limited release or part of a bigger collection. I wore this watch from about 1996-1999 and it accompanied me in one of my senior pictures for high school in 1997 - ladies you’re welcome!

In that time I sent it back to Fossil three times for repair. Once was a leather band/battery combo. Second time the crystal broke and the third time it was unrepairable. Fossil sent me a replacement catalog and I picked the most expensive watch to replace my Cruise-O-Matic. Along with the request for a replacement watch I asked Fossil to send me my old unrepairable watch back to me. They fulfilled my request and here it is. Still my favorite watch.

CruiseOMatic_Watch.jpg

Watch details:

  • Fossil Cruise-O-Matic Limited Edition Collector's Watch.

  • Watch #2 in a 5 item set of Around the World Series.

  • This watch is #19993 of 20000 made

  • Model #LE-9434