Staple x Fossil for $280: A Wrist Watch Review

A few weeks ago, we brought you word of the latest collaboration between Jeff Staple and Fossil. Since the time we wrote that, we’ve been spending some time with this funky automatic holographic sundial watch. Read on for what the Staple x Fossil has in store for you.

Staple x Fossil – Features

The first thing that someone is likely to be hit with (sometimes, literally) is the sundial on the top of the Staple x Fossil. Fortunately, this is a very soft and flexible silicone, so you’re not about to jab someone with a pointy triangle on your wrist. In fact, the whole exterior has a very soft touch, from the sundial (which is a cover to the regular dial), the case itself, and the strap. It makes for a very interesting and cohesive outer look to things, incongruously merging a soft material with a stony appearance.

Of course, hiding in that sundial point is the iconic Staple Pigeon, the first spot you’ll see it. And yes, that is why the Staple x Fossil comes in an egg – just like a pigeon does. What if you want to tell the time, and not figure out how to orient yourself against the sun? There’s a small latch on the right-hand side of the case that you can pull on, and flip that cover over. Inside, you’ll see a trusty three-hander dial, under a crystal that seems to shimmer. That shimmer? It’s a hologram of the Staple Pigeon in flight, bringing the second vintage callback to the Fossil catalog to your wrist (the first being the sundial case).

What might surprise you about the Staple x Fossil is that it has an automatic movement inside the case (visible through the exhibition caseback, on top of which the Staple Pigeon shows up again). With Fossil, we tend to think of them as quartz watches, but they do indeed travel the mechanical roads. In a way, it’s just another mashup of what some would consider “ancient” timekeeping methods. The sundial, of course, but the flip-top case calls to mind a pocket watch, and then of course you have the mechanical movement. In short, older ways of doing things (that still work today) wrapped in a very modern look and feel.

Size

Make no mistake – on the wrist, the Staple x Fossil is definitely a large wear on the wrist, from the 44mm case size to the 16.6mm thickness, from the caseback to the top of the flip-top (excluding the sundial point, of course). With the steel inner and the mechanical movement, you get a total weight of 106g, even with the silicone bracelet. Not as heavy as a steel dive watch, but it’s still a weight you’ll notice. Just keep that in mind, that you’ll need to like the way a larger watch looks (and feels) on your wrist.

Price

Would we call the Staple x Fossil a good everyday watch choice? Well, it certainly could be used as one, given the classic three-hander under the flip top (and wearing it keeps that automatic wound and running). It is a very bold and unique look, however, which makes us think of this as more of a once-in-a-while sort of a wear. Then again, that could just be my own preferences sneaking through. If you want to wear it day in and day out, we say go for it. As with any watch, if you like it, we support you wearing it. Watches on wrists is always a good thing. If you want a sundial on your wrist as well, you can find the Staple x Fossil for $280 directly from fossil.com or staplepigeon.com