Watch bands define the look of a Fossil watch just as much as its face and size do. They come in thousands of materials and styles, and their look defines your whole outfit.
But watch bands do more than just showcase your style—they have different levels of strength as well. The watch bands you choose should depend on the activities you have planned for the day.
The great thing about watch bands is that they can be swapped out among any of your Fossil watches. Here, we’ll take a look at several types of Fossil watch bands so that when you’re set on wearing a certain watch face, you can be sure that the bands you’ve chosen will be just as perfect.
Stainless Steel
Stainless steel watch bands—whether tinted silver, gold, or rose gold—are a classic look among Fossil lovers. You can never go wrong with stainless steel bands. They’re perfect for dressing up an outfit, and they’re versatile and durable enough to withstand all kinds of activities.
When to Wear
Stainless steel watch bands are hardy enough to be put on a diving watch, as water won’t do anything to touch their finish. They’re also perfect for a night out at an upscale restaurant or a white-collar work event because of their timeless, classy look.
When Not to Wear
Unfortunately, stainless steel bands tend to be easily scratched and scuffed, even if you have a satin finish. If you’ll be doing things that could get your bands scratched—hiking, manual labor, cooking—it’s best to avoid wearing stainless steel.
If you really want to wear that stainless steel band regardless of the risks, be prepared to have your Fossil watch repaired by buffing out scratches or replacing dented links.
Ceramic
Ceramic watch bands, despite the name, aren’t made from the same material as ceramic pottery. Ceramic watch bands are engineered using metal compounds, alloys, and other pure materials. They can sometimes look like metal and come in a range of colors.
When to Wear
Depending on the style you choose, ceramic bands can look casual or formal, though Fossil’s ceramic watch bands tend to be designed more on the formal side. They’ll look great with your everyday outfits as well as with dressy clothing.
Ceramic bands are also very hard, making them nearly scratch-proof. Their color won’t fade in the sun, and they can’t be chemically eroded. All these factors make ceramic watch bands an excellent choice for outdoor activities like diving or most sports.
When Not to Wear
One drawback of ceramic watch bands is their molecular structure. While ceramic bands resist common dents and scratches, they’re relatively brittle and won’t survive being dropped onto a hard surface.
If you’ll be dancing at a party, going rock climbing, or doing something else that risks your watch falling, it’s best to leave the ceramic bands at home to avoid taking your Fossil watch for a repair.
Leather
Leather is perhaps the most common material for watch bands, and for good reason. It’s beautiful, comfortable, versatile, and available in hundreds of colors and textures. Because leather bands are so versatile, they look just as good with a t-shirt and jeans as they do with a suit or dress.
When to Wear
Leather plays the long game. The more you wear it, the more comfortable it will get, and it will also develop a beautiful patina. Fossil watch leather bands are the perfect choice for everyday or formal events, as long as you won’t be putting them through excessive wear and tear.
When Not to Wear
In spite of leather’s popularity, you’ll need to be picky about when you wear your Fossil leather watch band straps. Leather shouldn’t be exposed to water, sweat, humidity, or extreme temperatures. All of these will cause your leather band to crack and warp.
And one more thing to note: ceramic, stainless steel, and leather bands are all set for a certain size. Your wrist can swell and shrink according to temperature and humidity changes, making your watch bands too tight or loose in certain situations. If you’ll be outdoors in extreme weather or in an area with high humidity, these bands might not be best for you.
Silicone
Silicone watch bands by Fossil are increasing in popularity. They’re cheap, lightweight, and come in a wide range of colors to match several outfits.
When to Wear
Silicone bands are durable and waterproof, making them perfect for outdoor sports and extreme physical activities. You can wear them while diving, skiing, exercising, or landscaping—basically, they’re suitable for any occasion where you won’t have to be careful about maintaining them.
When Not to Wear
As hardy as they are, silicone bands are cheap, and they look it. Some silicone bands come embossed or with fancy finishes, which does upgrade their look so you can wear them to more than just very casual events.
But you can only dress up silicone so much. Wearing your silicone bands to an upscale occasion is not a great idea. Instead, opt for stainless steel or leather.
Fossil Watch Bands for All Occasions
Fossil carries watch bands made from stainless steel, ceramic, leather, and silicone. The great thing about changing out your watch bands is that they help dress your entire outfit up or down. A simple swap from stainless steel to leather or silicone changes the entire style of the watch.
Each of these band materials varies in terms of fashion, so you should make sure to match your watch band to your outfit and the occasion or event you’ll be wearing it to.
Be mindful of durability and resistance to wear and tear. Unless you want to bring your Fossil watch to a trusted repair shop, you should ensure you’re taking care of your watch bands and wearing the right materials for every activity.
