Environmental friendliness isn’t always on a brand’s radar. But for Fossil it certainly was on Earth Day 2020. In honor of Earth Day’s 50th anniversary (4/22/2020), the brand announced their initiative to meet their own designated “pro-planet” criteria by 2025. These initiatives features goals like making 100% of their packaging recyclable and/or reusable by 2025, using 45% less water for leather tanning by 2025, operating on 30% less greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, and more.
But what we’re all here to focus on is the timepiece that Fossil Watches has released to commemorate their “pro-planet” initiative.
So this is clearly not a watch designed for someone who wants something “fancy” or that they can wear with a suit. If you’re looking for a dress watch that attempts to take an environmentally friendly approach, check out Baume (but be prepared to pay $550 – $1,000 USD).
However if you’re looking for an environmentally friendly watch with a functional field/minimalist vibe for around $140, then I’d go for this Solar Fossil Watch. However, keep in mind that the actual design of this watch plays very little into its value proposition.
If you’re interested in this watch it’s because it features 5 Velcro straps that are entirely made from recycled plastic bottles (16 bottles are altered and spun into a type of yarn to create the 5 straps). Also the fact that the case itself is made partly from castor oil, which makes the structure of the Fossil timepiece partly bio plastic. The movement here is also solar powered with a battery life of four months on a full charge.
Plus, the packaging that the watch comes in is fully cardboard and allows you to keep as display storage for the box or recycle.
Design-wise I don’t think this watch will win any awards since it’s look is pretty basic and safe. You’ve got Arabic numerals at the compose rose positions with simple baton and dots for the minute ticks. Plus very minimal branding on the dial.
It’s certainly legible and I suppose the 5 included straps are where Fossil feels people can draw out more design-personality. That said, I do wish the design had a bit more flair. It would be interesting to see some more personality featured into future designs that leverage these environmentally friendly practices and materials.
Oh, and for every watch purchased Fossil will be planting a tree. But I honestly have no idea how that works or even how that sort of claim is verified. Plus (and for some reason) Fossil felt the need to tell you that this watch is Vegan… I guess not using leather or animal products is just something they wanted to highlight.
This new Fossil Solar watch is offered in two sizes: 36mm and 42mm. Both sizes include all 5 straps and are priced at $139 USD. What are everyone’s thoughts? Next time I’m near a Fossil store I’m going to drop in and see if they have these just to see what the material and strap feels like. Can a strap made from a recycled plastic bottle feel comfortable? Check out the listings on Fossil’s site.
Co-Founder and Senior Editor
Kaz has been collecting watches since 2015, but he’s been fascinated by product design, the Collector’s psychology, and brand marketing his whole life. While sharing the same strong fondness for all things horologically-affordable as Mike (his TBWS partner in crime), Kaz’s collection niche is also focused on vintage Soviet watches as well as watches that feature a unique, but well-designed quirk or visual hook.
Oris did a Diver 65 on a recycled plastic strap and I have tried that on in person; it was very comfortable. So at least we know recycled plastic straps can be made comfortable. Now this one, I’m not so sure.