Flagship brand of the watch giant

Fossil is known as a single brand, but it is also a large group company with the various brands of watches and fashion accessories. Since the company is built upon the success of Fossil, its main focus is still on Fossil. As I’ve already mentioned the size of the group on my review of Skagen (one of the Fossil’s brands) days ago, I will skip this part. Anyway, it is clear that Fossil is a company with considerable capabilities and resources.

Hardware, where its expertise stands out

The Fossil Group is very excellent in manufacturing watches as it also owns the 137-year-old Swiss watch brand Zodiac (the history of Fossil is much shorter than that of most watchmakers, but most watch companies tend to achieve their growth as the whole group by acquiring seasoned affiliates and absorbing their know-hows). This watch used the method of cross-application of hairline processing and polishing to bezel and lug. This makes it glow luxuriously depending on the angle change. The side of the case was designed to be curved, which is not easy to process, but the weakness was hidden by hairline processing. So there is no big problem appearing in finishing. The size of crown and pusher is properly fit, and the handling feeling is also wonderful. When you push the pusher or turn the crown, you can feel the distinctive and tight touch on your fingers. It is totally different than you can feel with something cheaper like clacking or crunching.

The 30m waterproof case is 45mm in diameter, but it seems smaller. Because it does not look rough, I see this as an advantage. This is why the slim bezel has no function. If the bezel was thicker, the watch would never look small, and the answer to the question of “Why there isn’t a function on the bezel?” would not be understandable. However, as the Bezel’s saw-toothed wheel spec is usually used to improve the handling feelings of the rotating type of bezel in analog watches, it is taken as a little funny. And regrettably, the welding of the rug and the case is not finished neatly. For your reference, Samsung, the IT manufacturer, outperforms it regarding this processing.

It didn’t use good quality of strap leather, but enhanced functionality by putting it on the rubber straps decoratively. Making the straps interchangeable without tools is now considered as the norm for smart watches. The quality of the buckle is good, and it is also very wearable. I think the design of the built-in dial is also excellent. Its charger is small and easy to carry, and I also like that it sticks to the watch because it has a magnet.

Worst software

The watch has a wide range of features. It performs fitness tracking via GPS, and receives notifications of major functions used on a smartphone. It does not have amazing features like those of Apple Watches or Galaxy Watches, but it’s just as good as Montblanc Summit. But all the functions are slow. When the button is set up, the functions frustratingly respond a second later. Touch recognition does not work well. Honestly, it is the worst. If I have bought it out of my pocket, , I would have returned it. If I could not have sent it back, I would have picked it up and crashed it and then I would have walked out of the store. I wondered “Could be there any errors?” Thus, I tried to reset and connect several times. It did not get any better. It seems like a sedan equipped with a scooter engine. At this moment of writing this review, I feel irritated.

General review

I have tried a total of eight smart watches so far, and have frankly pointed out their drawbacks because the IT companies failed to understand watches. However, this watch reminds me of the fact as it is that “if a watch brand does not have the capability as an IT company, and makes a smart watch, this kind of disadvantage would occur.”
The price of this watch is USD 275, but it is sold for KRW 460,000 in Korea. The price of Skagen Falster I reviewed previously was USD 295, but it was sold for KRW 490,000 in Korea. Likewise, Fossil Korea has a pricing policy that domestic consumers can not accept. The Galaxy Watch, which is superior in all respects, is KRW 100,000 cheaper. Unless this is a dream watch, there is no reason to buy.