Inside the Fossil Diner with Nick Jonas: A New York Morning to Remember
In an exclusive visit, Esquire India steps inside Nick Jonas and Fossil’s nostalgic SoHo diner for a stylish new watch collection launch
New York has a way of surprising you when you least expect it. This morning, in the heart of SoHo, a classic American diner was transformed into something entirely unexpected: The Original Fossil Diner. Chrome counters, green-checkered tabletops, retro jukeboxes, and between the eggs, coffee cups, and clinking cutlery, sat a collection of watches designed by none other than Nick Jonas.
This was no ordinary launch. Fossil, the iconic watch and accessories brand, unveiled its latest global collaboration with the musician and actor, inviting us into a world where nostalgia and modernity sit comfortably side by side.
A Diner Reimagined
Walking into the space felt like stepping into a scene out of Jonas’ own memories. Fossil posters lined the walls, a vintage jukebox hummed quietly in the corner and even the menus doubled up as watch catalogues, playfully allowing you to “order” a timepiece as if it were your breakfast special. Alongside the pancakes and PB&J sandwiches were Nick’s own favorite picks woven into the food menu, making the experience both whimsical and personal.
The collection itself was beautifully staged: rich malachite and aventurine stone dials, skeletonised automatics, gold-toned bracelets, and croc-embossed leather straps—all part of the new Machine Luxe series which include the Machine Luxe Sunray Dial, Machine Luxe Automatic and Machine Luxe Stone Dial Watches and are a reimagined take on Fossil’s popular Machine platform, with each style featuring a statement shaped case and signature knurling. Each piece struck the balance between classic Fossil DNA and Jonas’ distinct sense of style.
Moreover, rounding out the capsule were the Machine Luxe Watch Rings in Gunmetal and Green Vignette. The rings mirrored the timepieces’ aesthetic, bringing signature Fossil design details into the brand’s distinct, best-selling watch ring.
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A Full-Circle Moment
For Jonas, this collaboration is deeply personal. His first-ever watch was a Fossil, a detail he spoke about with a kind of boyish excitement that hasn’t dimmed with fame or time. “I still remember the excitement and pure joy I felt when I purchased my first Fossil watch shortly after one of my early performances,” he said.
“I wanted to capture that feeling for today’s customers—styles that feel elevated and luxurious, but still embody the nostalgia synonymous with Fossil.”
The global campaign, shot in New Jersey by renowned photographer Anthony Mandler and styled by Sydney Lopez, plays on this very nostalgia—Jonas photographed in diners and bowling alleys reminiscent of his childhood years.
A Morning with Nick
What began as an intimate media preview quickly turned into something more special. After a 17-hour flight from Mumbai, jet lag and fatigue were inevitable, but the infectious energy of New York City, the warmth of the Fossil team and Nick’s presence made it all feel personal, almost rejuvenating.
After we had toured the diner, chatted with Fossil’s global leadership and previewed the collection, Jonas himself made a surprise appearance. Relaxed and approachable, he mingled with fans, brand friends and the press, speaking candidly about his love for watch collecting.
As I spoke with him, I nudged in a memory, mentioning that I had attended his Mumbai wedding reception with Priyanka Chopra Jonas. His face lit up and he warmly recalled that evening. We also spoke about our recent Esquire India cover with Priyanka, which he said he loved, adding that even Priyanka herself had been delighted with the pictures. It was a small but memorable exchange, one that added a layer of intimacy to the morning.
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And the surprises didn’t end there. Actors Halle Bailey and Ben Platt dropped in as well, lending the morning an almost cinematic quality. The room buzzed with the kind of excitement you rarely find outside of New York Fashion Week, yet the setting—casual, charming and diner-perfect—made it all feel delightfully intimate.
As the diner doors opened to the public later in the day, I couldn’t help but think how fitting this launch was. In a city that thrives on reinvention, Fossil and Jonas delivered a collection that bridges memory and modernity, design and personal storytelling. Much like a good diner, it’s familiar and comforting, but also just the right amount of exciting.
The Nick Jonas x Fossil Collection is available on fossil.in and at Fossil stores starting at 5:30 PM IST today, and at premium retailers beginning September 1st.