Fossil Group is leaving the smartwatch business. The watchmaker made the strategic decision in late 2023, confirmed it publicly in January 2024, and said it expected to clear its remaining smartwatch inventory during the first half of 2024. Fossil is redirecting resources toward traditional watches and jewelry, while existing smartwatch owners are promised software updates “for the next few years.”
What Fossil’s exit means
This is a category exit, not merely a pause in one product line. Fossil Group said it would stop investing in smartwatches as a business and refocus on its core traditional-watch and jewelry operations. The company’s spokesperson Amanda Castelli stated: “We have made the strategic decision to exit the smartwatch business.”
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The decision was made in late 2023 and announced publicly in January 2024. Fossil’s earnings commentary said the company expected to fully exit smartwatch inventory in the first half of 2024. That timetable means availability after the sell-through period depends on leftover retailer stock, marketplace sellers and the condition of each individual watch.
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Fossil described the move as a resource-allocation decision. Instead of continuing to fund smartwatch development, marketing and support as a growth category, it plans to concentrate on traditional watches and jewelry.
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The financial effect was visible in Fossil Group’s 2024 fourth-quarter results. In its 2025 release covering that quarter, Fossil said declines in smartwatch sales related to the category exit and store-rationalization initiatives represented approximately 600 basis points of the quarter’s sales decline. Six hundred basis points equals six percentage points, but Fossil’s figure describes its contribution to the company’s reported year-over-year sales decline, not a forecast for every smartwatch seller.
What happens to existing Fossil smartwatches?
Software support
Fossil said existing smartwatches would continue receiving software updates “for the next few years.” That wording is the company’s published commitment; it is not a model-specific end date. Available information does not establish a separate support deadline for each generation or regional variant.
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Owners should therefore install available updates while they are offered, keep the watch paired with a compatible phone, and save purchase records and warranty information. A watch can remain usable after updates stop, but cloud services, phone compatibility, security fixes and third-party applications may change over time.
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Repairs, batteries and accessories
The category exit can make long-term ownership less predictable even if software support continues. Check whether a repair center still accepts your model, whether the battery can be replaced, and whether an original charger or replacement band is available before paying for a repair or buying a used unit. These details can vary by country, seller and model, and Fossil has not published a universal post-exit service schedule in the information available here.
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Can you still buy a Fossil smartwatch?
You may still find a Fossil Gen 6 smartwatch, the company’s documented smartwatch model, through remaining retail or marketplace inventory. It is legacy stock after Fossil’s category exit rather than a current product line.
- Check condition: confirm whether the listing is new, open-box, refurbished or used.
- Check the seller: marketplace warranty, returns and included accessories are seller-dependent.
- Check compatibility: verify that the watch works with your phone’s current operating system before ordering.
- Check the contents: confirm that the charging puck, band and manuals are included or obtainable separately.
- Check support expectations: treat “for the next few years” as a general statement, not a guaranteed date for your exact model.
Prices and availability can change quickly because remaining units are not being replenished as part of an active smartwatch program. A low price may reflect clearance, used condition or missing accessories rather than a new official promotion.
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Should you replace a Fossil smartwatch now?
There is no single deadline requiring every owner to replace a working watch. Replacement becomes more urgent if your device no longer receives updates, its battery no longer lasts through your normal day, essential phone functions stop working, or chargers and bands are difficult to source.
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When comparing another smartwatch, evaluate these factors rather than choosing solely by case design:
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| Decision factor | What to verify |
|---|---|
| Operating-system support | How long the maker publicly commits to updates for the specific model |
| Phone compatibility | Supported Android or iPhone versions and any feature restrictions |
| Health and fitness | Whether the sensors and workout functions match your needs |
| Battery life | Typical runtime in the mode you will actually use, not only the best-case claim |
| Repairability | Battery, screen and service options in your country |
| Accessories | Availability and cost of replacement bands and chargers |
The bottom line for Fossil owners
Fossil has exited smartwatches as a business, with inventory expected to be cleared in the first half of 2024. Your existing watch is not automatically unusable: Fossil says updates will continue for the next few years. However, because no precise model-by-model support end date has been published, owners should treat current support as transitional and plan around battery health, compatibility and accessory availability.
