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Fossil FS5901 Machine Brown Leather Strap Watch - W10285
Ref. FS5901
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Stepping up in the same colour and case shape
The Machine collection takes its name literally: the knurled bezel borrows its pattern from machined metal surfaces and automotive gauges, giving the watch a visual identity that sits closer to workshop equipment than dress accessory. Black PVD over stainless steel, a sunray centre on the dial ringed by a heavily textured outer track — the whole thing is built around contrast of surface rather than contrast of colour. At 42mm it wears with some presence, but 11mm of thickness keeps it from feeling bulky under a cuff. The brown LiteHide strap — Fossil's eco-leather — softens and develops a patina with wear, and the 22mm quick-release pins mean swapping it out takes seconds without tools, which is a genuinely useful feature at this lug width given how much choice exists in that size.
- Reference
- FS5901
- Brand
- Fossil
- Collection
- Machine
- Case size
- 42mm
- Case thickness
- 11mm
- Lug width
- 22mm
- Case material
- Black PVD
- Case shape
- Round
- Dial
- Black
- Crystal
- Mineral
- Movement
- Quartz
- Functions
- Date
- Water resistance
- 50m
- Bracelet / strap
- Leather strap
- Strap colour
- Brown
- Clasp
- Buckle
- Lume
- Luminous
- Retailer
- F.Hinds
Learn more about Fossil
Tom Kartsotis founded Fossil in Texas in 1984 after noticing that fashion watches manufactured in Hong Kong could be produced far more cheaply than the market assumed. The name came from his brother's nickname.
The company's insight was presentation. Fossil watches were designed with a deliberately retro American aesthetic and sold in collectable tin boxes, which made an inexpensive quartz watch feel like an object worth keeping. It worked at scale, and Fossil became one of the largest watch companies in the world by unit volume.
The business then grew primarily by acquisition and licensing. Fossil owns Zodiac, Misfit, and the leather goods brand Skagen, and manufactures watches under licence for a long list of fashion houses — Michael Kors, Armani Exchange, Diesel, Kate Spade, and others. For much of the 2010s Fossil produced a substantial share of all branded fashion watches sold globally.
It was also an early and significant player in smartwatches, launching Android Wear devices from 2015 and becoming the largest maker of Google-powered watches, before that market consolidated around Apple, Samsung, and Google itself.
Fossil remains a public company headquartered in Richardson, Texas, and continues to produce its own mechanical and automatic lines alongside the quartz and connected ranges.
- 1984
- Tom Kartsotis founds Fossil in Texas.
- 1990
- The tin-box packaging becomes a signature.
- 2001
- Acquires Zodiac.
- 2015
- Launches its first Android Wear smartwatches.
Also in 4 collections
This watch appears in the Fossil Machine range (7), Back in Stock (4,797), Stainless Steel Watches (3,166) and Leather Strap Watches (1,045).
Manufacturer’s guarantee
What the specifications mean
A slim watch on leather, made for wearing with a shirt.
Strengths
- Luminous hands and markers for low light
- Sits in the lower half of Fossil's range as we list it
Worth knowing
- 50m suits rain and handwashing, not swimming
Fossil FS5901 Machine Brown Leather alternatives
Watches from other brands at a similar price, style and size, so you can see what else your budget can buy.
| Specification | FS5901 | R8871621042 | MK3435 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | £149 | £149 | £149 |
| Case size | 42mm | 42mm | 42mm |
| Water resistance | 50m | 50m | 50m |
| Movement | Quartz | Quartz | Quartz |
| Strap | Leather strap | Silicone strap | Stainless steel bracelet |
| This watch | Closely matched | Closely matched |
Your new watch
Frequently asked questions, and things you should know about this watch
Can I swim with it?
Showering yes, swimming no. 50m covers splashes and brief immersion, but a swimming stroke generates well above the pressure that figure describes.
Water resistance explainedWill the glass scratch?
It can, over time. Mineral glass handles daily wear but will pick up fine scratches that sapphire would not.
Sapphire, mineral and acrylic comparedDoes it need a battery?
Yes. It is quartz, so expect a battery change every two to three years at a jeweller.
Quartz, automatic and solar comparedWhat size strap does it take?
22mm. Any strap of that width will fit, and on most modern watches quick-release bars make the swap a two-minute job with no tools.
Is it a men's or women's watch?
Listed as men's.
Cheapest place to buy
F.Hinds is the only UK retailer we track stocking this reference, so there is nothing to compare it against today.
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