Additional Fossil GMT Watches Discovered - Collect Them All!
Highlighted in a previous article were 4 known GMT watches and since then I’ve discovered a few more and coincidentally Fossil has released more. GMT for the win! One of the newly discovered watches could be categorized as World Time and not GMT, but I am including in this exclusive catalog.
While we’re posting this a little late, there is something about Father’s Day and watches that go together like coffee and donuts. As a purveyor of fine Fossil pieces, I always plan on purging a few from my collection for a much better price in June than almost any other month except the holiday season (which is quickly approaching). The profit from a few watches allows me to purchase new Fossil pieces including a new GMT and I have to say I’m in love. Also, oddly enough the search engine traffic leading to our little collectors site exploded in June with terms such as Fossil GMT and GMT watches…..interesting, very interesting.
Before we dig into the watches, I do want to highlight that this article is an addition to an older post on Fossil GMT watches from September 2020 - https://www.undergroundfossilcollectors.club/blog/fossil-gmt-watches
Highlighted in the previous article were 4 known watches and since then I’ve discovered a few more and coincidentally Fossil has released more. GMT for the win! One of the newly discovered watches could be categorized as World Time and not GMT, but I am including in this exclusive catalog. One watch I am not including came out in 2006, it was called LED Dual Time BQ-9279. Since it has a digital element, it’s cheating and not a proper movement. We have to draw a line somewhere.
Listing from newest to oldest, lets dig in with some photos and some review notes on the ones I own.
Just launched in September 2023 and honestly sparked a reminder that I had this post in draft is a black silicone FB model FS6036. It is a sharp new colorway from a full line of FB GMT models pictured below that came out earlier in the summer of 2023. All of the new releases are 46mm and while that might too large for some, I really cannot tell — Fossil did a phenomenal job in making a larger timepiece not seem as large.
My summer watch of 2023 has been the blue dial cousin of the FS6036, pictured below is the very durable and gorgeous FS5991. I cannot say enough good things about this watch — it has been on 3 beaches, many theme parks and even a few camping trips this summer. I will fondly look at this watch and think summer for years to come, it’s very sharp and just the right weight. I really think Fossil hit a home run with this new series and looking forward to yes you guessed it, collecting them all.
Launched alongside the blue FS5991 were 2 other GMT models. One is a gold tone stainless model and the other is a very summery silicone strap model. Pictured below are the 2 models. The Gold-Tone is FS5990 and the Oasis Silicone Watch is FS5992.
Continuing our journey backwards is a Limited Edition Fossil Blue GMT Stainless Steel Watch LE1156 which was released in 2022. In life I have many regrets and not purchasing this watch on an epic Fossil sale is one of those — sadly I do not own the granddaddy of the Fossil Blue GMT Series (yet), but a full review will be available once I do! Coming in at 42mm it is a little smaller than the new pieces, but I’ve been assured by a fellow collector that the sizing feels proper and just right. The case seems to be similar to other quartz versions in the FB series, but I can’t be certain until I get one of the 1056 pieces produced in my hands!
If you are keeping track we now have 9 total GMT watches that have been discovered. Now comes the fun part of showing for the first time in years 1 additional piece from yesteryear making the grand total to 10.
In 2011 Fossil launched the CH2741 and called it the Multi-Time Black Dial Sport Watch. Whatever you call it, it has World Time on the dial and features a GMT movement.
Having an original 2011 catalog that featured this watch it was interesting to see the original price at $145 and here is the marketing description of the watch:
We created this sporty watch with the traveller in mind. Keep track of your local time while simultaneously tracking a secondary destination in military time. A rotating internal dial ring showing world cities can be used to determine the time anywhere in the world. Features include easily readable dial indicators, a matte stainless steel case, and a comfortable black silicone strap.
Obviously this is a very unique watch, I’ve never seen another one like it with the case back actually holding the movement in as well the strap! Watch is also huge at 52mm. Unlike the new GMT models this 52mm feels very large and it’s quite distracting on my wrist.
BONUS - If you are reading this you deserve a bonus picture of the BQ-9279 from 2006. It’s from the Blue Series and could be a considered a very distant relative of the new Fossil Blue GMT Series with a digital element to the movement.
Fossil GMT Watches – they do exist!
Let me be the first to tell you that Fossil GMT watches do exist and currently there are 2 of them for sale on Fossil.com in limited quantities. In the past 20 years or so there have been 2 others in the Fossil catalog available to all. We can’t wait to uncover these other 2 older GMT models and show what series they were a part of, but first we must discuss the latest ones!
Let me be the first to tell you that Fossil GMT watches do exist and currently there are 2 of them for sale on Fossil.com in limited quantities. In the past 20 years or so there have been at least 2 others in the Fossil catalog available to all. We can’t wait to uncover these other 2 older GMT models and show what series they were a part of, but first we must discuss the latest ones!
Before we dive in, if you don’t know what a GMT movement it’s okay. I won’t go into details on this post because we normally don’t go into watch nerd stuff around movements & accuracy like other watch sites. Below find a few links on the GMT movement put in plain English that allows you to learn - I always thought the history and use case was fascinating and would have loved to use them as a pilot on Pan Am in a different life and to have Fossil offer a GMT options brings a smile to my face.
Fossil FB series is really, really and okay one more time really growing on us. FB for those who haven’t figured it out yet stands for Fossil Blue (yeah!) The FB series is really encapsulating the vintage 60’s/70’s diver vibe and as such have released 2 GMT diver watches rated at 200M and both are limited editions. Fossil FB-GMT Silicone LE1107 and Fossil FB-GMT Titanium LE1100 are currently for sale on Fossil.com.
I’ve been road testing the silicone model LE1107 for almost 2 months now and it’s been camping, canoeing, mountain biking, swimming and surfing (or trying to surf) in the ocean. It’s durable, it’s light and comfortable. All these extracurricular activities haven’t affected the crystal or the case at all, everything is clear and no markings or scratches – a great watch for those of us who enjoy being active. The silicone strap however does attract sunscreen and after 2 months it’s got white spots that do come off with some scrubbing – but I’m a weird and like the patina on the strap.
The Titanium LE1100 model was quite a surprise when I received it. Harkening to the titanium watches from Fossil in the past, which I never owned I was shocked at how light this model is and even more shocked that his silicone brother is actually lighter (by .4 ounces!). The LE1100 is quite a dressier piece – you really could wear it work every day and then in the evenings party with its active brother the silicone LE1107. The color of the blue on the bottom half of the dial really stands out with the titanium color of the bracelet – the few times I’ve worn this watch you can see people’s eyes go right to it and since all we can see is people’s eyes in 2020 (thanks COVID), it made an impression on me that people do notice watches…which means I need more!
You can’t see it, but I’m wearing a suit in my home office with this piece!
When we discuss limited editions we always have to talk about the packaging. The FB-GMTs are no exception, both have similar packaging with only a slight variation to match the colors of the LE1100. The Pelican style case is a nice touch and similar to some limited editions of the past.
Okay let’s get into some history!
Series of watches are fun to collect and be a part of…… Defenders obviously have been our favorites for years, but there also lives many others in the Fossil world including Road Trip, Airmaster, Curator, Speedway and others. It’s no coincidence that the latest GMT watches are found in the newly revived Fossil Blue series and the earlier models were found in the DF Defender line and the short-lived Swiss line…..3 of our favorite series past and present!
The DF-5002 is the first 24-hour movement watch that I could find in the Fossil archives. It was part of the Starboard series in the DF line. Other models in this line retailed for $350USD, not quite sure what the original price was, but know it was high! The 24-hour movement is unique because you can’t adjust it, you adjust the hour hand of the movement to go back or ahead of what GMT is set at. Unique compared to any other GMT watches I own.
The FSW7006 Swiss FS-5 is the other previous GMT watch from Fossil. This is one of the few Fossil Swiss not in my personal collection because it was very limited and expensive $895 at its release. Either way it’s part of an exclusive GMT club within the Fossil world.
Welcome to the exclusive club of Fossil GMT watches, LE1100 and LE1107! I know all of you like clubs and limited editions, feel free to join us!
Limited Edition FB-GMT Dual Time Titanium Watch LE1100 - 954 produced
Limited Edition FB-GMT Dual-Time Black Silicone Watch LE1107