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Fossil account

2K views 16 replies 8 participants last post by  jef_in 
#1 ·
Has any member here got an account with fossil watches here on the forum? Ive just called them for a crystal for a watch thats been given to me for repair, but they wont sell me a part as i dont stock their products and to have an account i need to stock their products.
So a big ask, if you have an account with them would you be able to order the part for me and send it to me,, obviously ill pay up front and supply self addresed envelopes etc etc. Cheers for any help.
 
#3 ·
Fossil does not make any of their own parts anyway. Odds are that crystal is manufactured by someone else so buying it from them have no real advantage. They do not make any of their own products.
They typically use low end Hattori movements in most of their watches. I would be willing to be the crystals are sourced from another manufacture.
I also would not spend more than $40 buck fixing any Fossil product unless it has some sentimental value.
We have a Fossil wharehouse distributor right here in Norwalk Connecicut where I live. My buddy spend six month working there.
He was able to buy left over inventory and dead battery watches. When I opened them up for him I was surprised at the low quality in relation to the retail prices.
 
#8 ·
He was able to buy left over inventory and dead battery watches. When I opened them up for him I was surprised at the low quality in relation to the retail prices.
Since Fossil acquired Skagen in 2012, that may mean that Skagen watches may now also be "low quality in relation to the retail prices".
Before the Fossil acquisition, I had a Skagen ladies watch serviced by them and the movement replaced for $34. Probably couldn't do that under Fossil would be my guess (no pun intended).
 
#5 ·
Guys it's a square crystal with a silver edge that is stuck onto the case as opposed to being pressed into the case, I've called fossil and they have them in stock for £8.50 but won't sell me one due to not being a retailer. I even said I was an independent watch repairer to try and get an account so I could buy one but they wouldn't let me.
I'm unable to find the crystal anywhere else.
As you day the movements are just cheap quartz, people are just paying for the name stamped on the dial and that's it.
 
#13 ·
I can tell you mate, i justdone a battery change and crystal on a micheal kors watch, whats inside them, a cheap quartz miyota movement, approx £3.50 for a new one, as for wgo buyss them, well id say people who just want some wrist candy, and due to it being waterproof they dont want to open them up to have a look at whats inside, mind you i never took a watch back off before i got into this hobby
 
#14 ·
Michael,

I thought Fossil now has a Swiss Manufacture? They are now moving upscale after finding out that they cannot just buy the Zodiac name and have no movement for it, specially when the SWATCH group would not sell their ETAs and VALJOUX to other watch companies anymore.

But the FOSSIL quartz watches are initially from HK and SEA locations with Japan movement. The Retro look and a lot of Bling plus the lower price compared to Swiss Quartz allowed them to sell a great number of watches in the US. And at a certain time, there are no real US manufacturers, IWC relocated to the US, Hamilton is a brand that now belongs to the SWATCH group, and the other brands are bought by the Chinese/HK companies.

Cheers,
Jef
 
#16 ·
Well I can tell you my buddy grabbed about 10 watches one time and I did the batteries on them. The watches were a good size and when you open up the back cover you are looking at a great big empty space with a tiny no jewel $10 dollar Miyota movement in it for a watch that retails for over $150 bucks. If I had to guess I would say cost of manufacture would be in the $30 dollar range. I am not sure why but for a long time they were a fad around here in New England. People really thought they were buying a high quality watch.
As for those who would drop hundreds on a Michal Kors or an Ice Master pile of junk I just have to laugh. A watch dial loaded up with rhinestones and is the size of a tea cup saucer. It is very hard not to laugh.

Michael
 
#17 ·
Hi Michael,

You're right, most 'dress' watches carrying the names of FASHION brands like Michael Kors, ESPRIT, Lacoste, Tommy Hilfiger mostly have the PVD polished look, and all plastic inserts for a very small quartz movement. Most folks tend to buy watches for the name brand, the bling factor and the current fashion trend.

Gone were the days that Mid Tier brands like Rado, Mido, Certina, Movado and the likes would be able to sell watches to the masses. I guess it cuts both ways, specially when the watch manufacturers like SWATCH, RICHMOND et al, would price their goods too high --- targeting for luxury over mass appeal.

This is why Seiko, Citizen and probably SeaGull would prosper in the future - by offering a full range of goods in different price points.

Totally agree with you. (now how do I give you points... :)

Cheers,
Jef
 
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