Oh those Limited Editions! The Modern Machine LE1030

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Taking a short break from our journey through the Fossil Times newsletters, let’s discuss collector’s lore – Limited Editions! We love limited editions and like a fine automobile or in my case a clean pair of sneakers we enjoy sporting them on special occasions.

The Modern Machine Assembly LE1030 released in 2014 was a very limited run of 654 pieces. I’ve only just obtained one recently because these sold out fast at 495USD and rarely have come up for sale since. The reviews of the design and packaging have been discussed and envied for years now and I finally have one in my possession! Description from the booklet because I can’t say it better than Fossil:

A stylish watch set that harkens back to the aeronautic industrial era of the 1940s. Fossil’s Limited-Edition Modern Machine can be disassembled using multiple interchanging machined parts that reassemble into two very distinctive time-measuring instruments. Mix the bezel, band or even the watch center core for a new look, for a total of 32 different time-telling combinations. Its double 316L stainless steel shell is both robust and shock absorbent, with water-resistance of up to 100 meters, and the dial faces are designed with luminescent hands and markers to be read in low light or night. Along with its wristwatch combinations, the Modern Machine set features an optional field timer for everyday field carry. Packaged in a Limited-Edition gift box, this tough yet timeless set comes complete with four interchangeable batteries, one topstitched leather belt strap and one Zulu-inspired military weave strap with matching hardware, as well as a hefty three-row plated stainless steel solid bracelet. This sleek and modern set is all the wearer will need to complement any wardrobe choice. Limited to 654.

Limited Editions are the essential piece for any Fossil collector and we’ve seen all sorts of Limited-Edition collectors over the years. Some only collect Disney or Superman or other TV characters, while some like the sports releases (Nolan Ryan!) I tend to collect the military/field collections with the snazzy packaging and the LE1030 has been high on my list for almost 5 years now. The elegant leather box with the grey felt lining and presentation of the interchangeable bezels is beautiful. Some of these bezels aren’t found anywhere else and don’t get me started on the fonts – it’s a real treasure.

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!

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

The watch is out there.....

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As you all know Fossil released a lot of limited edition watches in the nineties that had tie-ins to television, movies and music among other things (I'm still holding my breath for a Nintendo themed Fossil watch). Some of these are very collectible and others are just okay.

Going over some scans I came across a scan from the Fossil Times for an X-Files Limited Edition watch and thought what a timely post given that the X-Files is returning to television TOMORROW! I couldn't be more excited to see Mulder and Scully after 13 years.

The scan below is for the first limited edition X-Files watch from May 1997 for pieces LI-1633 and LI-1634. The watch retailed for $75. Later there was more limited edition X-Files runs of watches LI-1672 & LI-1673 with a more limited number of pieces and I wouldn't doubt there's more pieces out there, the truth is out there.......

"Join Mulder and Scully in their search for the truth with this 10,000 piece Limited Edition watch. Each watch features a matte silver case with a numbered caseback and a silver X-Files dial with a raised logo. Packaged in a silver cylinder tin with the “X” logo on top, the watch also comes with a cool silver X-Files key chain. A Certificate of Authenticity comes in each package, ensuring that your watch is no impostor. Available in May at a store near you! Also available X-Files Sterling Silver Limited Edition LI-1634."

.....the watch is out there.

Club Fossil? A predecessor to Fossil Collector's Club - yes, yes it is

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If you've ever bought or looked at an early (and I mean early) Fossil tin you may have noticed something on the back of it called "Club Fossil" I never really paid much attention to it until I came across the following brochure for Fossil swag marketed as Club Fossil. Lots of the content in the brochure is around how Club Fossil members can get access to Fossil stuff first -- no indication of exclusivity or membership plans.

Few things of interest for me are the Dirtmaster watches and Airplane Watch SK-5038 which has always been listed as one of the first Limited Edition watches, but yet the Car Watch SK-5037 isn't on any of my checklists.

Enjoy and if you know anything about Club Fossil please reach out!

The most valuable Fossil Limited Edition - "The Greatest"

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Running a collectors site you run into 2 questions almost on a daily basis.

  1. How can I get or how do I find more information on "xyz" Fossil item?
  2. How much is my "xyz" Fossil item worth?

Rarely do we talk about prices and item values on this site, but all experts will agree that the most valuable of the early Fossil Limited Editions is the LI-2004 Muhammad Ali Limited Edition Collector's Watch Set. "The Greatest" is the fourth limited edition in the licensed watches that Fossil started in 1992 -- the licensed watches include all the NFL and NBA watches. 

"The Greatest" came out in August 1994 and only 7500 were produced - original retail price was $200, which at the time was the most expensive limited edition that came out. $200 is a good deal today. The item is packaged in a nicely designed wooden box with a glass top that showcases the 6"x7" autographed photo of Ali/Liston championship fight on May 25, 1965. The Ali signature is done in a silver paint pen which will not fade over time. 

Once inside the cherry display box, you'll find the watch. A Fossil coin dial watch with Ali's face is on it with the words "3 Time World Champion". The watch does have a unique tin obviously made just for this set. Fossil was also nice enough to include a COA.

A lot of times you'll see just the watch listed on eBay and the prices aren't that different from other Fossil limited pieces; however when you place the watch in the cherry display box with the autographed photo the price goes way up! Years ago it wasn't uncommon to see these sell on eBay for $600-$800. I've been watching these for some time (because I want to sell mine) and recently sold sets are selling in the $350-$500 range. One thing you need to remember about eBay is asking price and sold price are 2 different things -- so many sellers are asking $695, $899 and even one now for $1,199.95 and unless you're not all there you can find them much cheaper (on the same site). 

Obviously we're being a bit cheeky, but as a Fossil Watch collector you should be against full-blown retail priced buy it nows on eBay -- be smart, do your research and save the extra money for more watches!

Now enjoy some pictures of "The Greatest"


Fossil Collectors Club Kits - one for the archives

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With a site called Fossil Collectors Club, one would have thought a post like this would have been created many years ago to showcase all of the various kits from 1994-1998 that was available to members. Leave it to our friend Heino to spot the gap and create the post below.

1994 Fossil Collectors Club Kit

The 1994 Fossil Collectors Club Kit came in a paper box filled with some goodies. The box itself is a work of art, hard to display, but it is covered with 50's scenes.

This one was the first kit of a series of 5 (1994 to 1998) and was only available in USA.

As found in later kits, the paperwork is a real gem of information and some misc. print items also exist such as the membership card with the club member's name on it. A nice Collector's Club pin is included, along with a branded t-shirt.

The 1994 Fossil Collector's Club watch is a beautiful piece and very unique. Has a timeless design and is very clean. The watch is model number LE-9442.

1995 Fossil Collectors Club Kit

The 1995 Fossil Collectors Club Kit came in a pizza box basically filled with many goodies. The box itself is a work of art, hard to display, but it is covered with 50's scenes again.

This one was the second  kit of a series of 5 (1994 to 1998) and was also only available in USA. This one has the most items. Similar items to the 1994 kit, but this one includes and issue of the Fossil Times -- the much coveted newsletter collectors are always looking for! On the back of the Fossil Times is the limited edition checklist.

Kit includes the pin and a the membership card -- see a detailed post on the 1995 Fossil Collectors Club kit and also some more details photos on Flickr. A brochure of items is also included, but apparently mine was missing this.

A t-shirt is also included in this kit. The shirt only has the logo on the front with no other markings anywhere.

The 1995 Fossil Collector's Club watch is a beautiful piece. Has a timeless design and is very classic. The watch is model number LE-9464.

Heino says, "I found this piece online – I was very happy to get it because it wasn`t available in AUSTRIA! Special of my watch is that it is number 00001 of 10000!"

1995 Fossil Collectors Club Kit

1996 Fossil Collectors Club Kit

The 1996 Fossil Collectors Club Kit came in the first tin box and filled with the usual goodies. The tin is really a nice piece of art and is really nice to display vs. the pizza boxes.

This one was the third kit of a series of 5 (1994 to 1998) and was the first watch which was also available in USA and in Germany (Fossil Europe) – the Germany Collectors-Club was started in 1996 and Heino was an Austrian a member of it since the beginning.

One of a great pieces in the kit is the Mini Bobbing-Head-Fred, it's a smaller version of the Fred displays used in stores.

Some miscellaneous print items also exists such as the membership card. Included also is a Collector's Club key-fob. Also had a sticker inside.

The 1996 Fossil Collector's Club watch is a beautiful time-piece. Has a nice pilot-watch design, shows a plane and I get comments on this watch all the time when I wear it. The watch is model number LE-9475.

1996 Fossil Collectors Club Kit

1997 Fossil Collectors Club Kit

The 1997 Fossil Collectors Club Kit came in a tin box like a little travel case basically filled with some goodies. The tin itself is a work of art and good to display. I like how the goodies appear in the kit -- really nice for display and storage.

This one was the fourth kit of a series of 5 (1994 to 1998) and was the second watch in Germany ( Fossil Europe ) – the Germany Collectors-Club, which started in 1996.

The mini-globe is unique and basically is the same as the big globe displays used in stores. The globe did signify it was a Collectors Club version. Kit also included postcards, which were a first. Postcards in detail can be found in an earlier post.

I've posted before on the 1997 watch and there are various bands -- I've seen stainless and leather. The 1997 Fossil Collector's Club watch is a beautiful time-piece. It shows a little world-card like a compass. The watch is model number LE-9489.

1997 Fossil Collectors Club Kit

1998 Fossil Collectors Club Kit

The 1998 Fossil Collectors Club Kit came in a tin box like lunch box. Of all the kits, this is the most fun to display.

This one was the fifth and the last kit of a series of 5 (1994 to 1998)  and was the third watch available in Germany ( Fossil Europe).

A nice addition to the kit and previous kits is the mini display piece. This kit featured a mini train, which is the small brother to the larger train used in store.
 
The 1998 Fossil Collector's Club watch is unique because it's the only pocketwatch created for the Collectors Club. It came on a heavy duty chain and featured in a nice wooden box. The watch is model number LE-9492.

1998 Fossil Collectors Club Kit - final one :(

Heino's Fossil display collection (archives)

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As I posted a few weeks ago, we have a Fossil world record holder in our midst and Heino has graciously offered to write-up an article on some of the ceramic collectibles he has in his collection.

For the sake of this article, we'll call these the Fossil "ceramic" series. Take a review and if we've missed any we would love to know!

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