Fossil was founded in 1984 as Overseas Products
International. Their main product was fashion watches
with a retro look. In 1990, they introduced leather
goods under the Fossil brand, and the Relic line of
watches.
Fossil had an IPO in 1993[2]
Zodiac was a Swiss brand that had been operating since 1882 when Fossil acquired it in 2001 to give them a higher end brand. Fossil's desire to establish a Swiss presence led to the purchase of the Zodiac Watch brand and a complete retooling of that line to reflect a retro modern 1970s style in a higher end watch. The 2004 purchase of Michele Watch completed the cycle by offering a high-end Swiss watch with a designer flair.
