FOSSIL’s New Signature Collection and Sawai Padmanabh Singh: Match Made In Heritage Heaven

There’s a certain magic when a watch collection matches the energy of the location where it’s introduced to the world. It gets even better when its global ambassador is a custodian of heritage and tradition.  

FOSSIL, a leading watch and accessories brand, announced His Highness Sawai Padmanabh Singh as the Global Ambassador for its new Signature Collection earlier this week. The partnership was introduced through a cinematic campaign filmed in Jaipur and celebrated with the unveiling of the collection at the iconic City Palace.

Under a starry sky, and surrounded by the age-old beauty of the City Palace, the watches from the collection serenaded wearers, as the unveiling ceremony brought the best of watchmaking, heritage and royalty together for a memorable night in Jaipur.

“We really felt His Highness Sawai Padmanabh Singh represented Signature in the perfect way. He has a deep connection to his heritage,” says Melissa Lowenkron, Chief Brand Officer of FOSSIL. “At the same time, he really expresses it with individual style and a modern point of view. We were really drawn to his appreciation of the art of watchmaking, craftsmanship in general, and architecture, which are all things that matter both to us from a FOSSIL brand perspective, as well as elements of the Signature collection that are inherent in the design.”  

The Signature line combines FOSSIL’s American design heritage, distinctive optimism and storytelling with elevated materials, precision engineering and Swiss watchmaking. Its debut collection, CS-1, stands for Case Study One, a nod to the American Case Study Houses program and its forward-looking approach to mid-century design. The collection draws on the program’s principles of purposeful design and material integrity, with every element contributing to a synergistic whole.

“I have always appreciated products that honor heritage while remaining relevant to the present, and that is exactly what I found in the Signature Collection,” says His Highness Sawai Padmanabh Singh.

On the wrist, the watches make a compelling case, especially the 38-mm variants. Minimal and clean, the watches are ideal for any type of wearer – be it a formal or casual setting. The old money vibe on these models is also hard to miss. The Chronoquartz models come with a busier dial, meant for anyone who appreciates a good chronograph complication. The blue colour variant here will definitely find takers.

“Watches are having a moment right now,” says Ryan White, Senior Creative Director, Designer, FOSSIL. “This collection allows us to flex our Swiss watchmaking capability. It shows premiumisation and at an accessible price point. The design details in the story come from the Case Study Houses Program… A lot of that is deeply rooted in FOSSIL's design ethos," he adds.

White also says watch brands going back to the archives and looking at the past is a refreshing trend. “I think it supports the brand from a DNA perspective,” White says from FOSSIL’s perspective. “The archive isn't just a museum. It is truly a design resource.”

The Signature CS-1 collection also marks FOSSIL’s return to Swiss watchmaking, building on more than two decades of the company’s presence and expertise in Switzerland. The 38mm Three-Hand Date Automatic features a Swiss automatic movement, while the 42mm Master Calendar Chronoquartz combines day, date, month and chronograph functions with a Swiss quartz movement. Across both models, domed sapphire crystals, record-inspired dial textures and the subtle Triple Diamond Quality insignia carry FOSSIL’s design heritage into a refined new expression. The collection is priced in India at Rs 57,995 and Rs 75,995.

“Signature represents a significant milestone for FOSSIL in India as we expand our presence in the premium watch category,” said Johnson Verghese, MD, FOSSIL India. “FOSSIL Signature is our attempt at trying to make a more elevated product. Our consumers are moving in that direction. We understand FOSSIL for the values that it stands for. This is the collection that we believe addresses that. So, other than materials, design, watchmaking skills, Swiss accuracy in terms of watchmaking, all of that put together, there's also the entire philosophy of what made that watch happen.”