Fossil Blue Blue Dial Three-Hand Date Stainless Steel Ref. ES5248
Dive-Style Fashion Watch · Fossil (Fossil Group, Inc.). Tier: Affordable/Fashion lifestyle. Fossil is known for democratic design that brings luxury aesthetics to a mass-market price point.
Period: Modern Lifestyle/Tool-Inspired (2020s). Stylistic indicators include the oversized chunky case, a silhouette inspired by heritage divers like the Seiko Turtle or Doxa, and practical luminescent markings.
Type
Dive-Style Fashion Watch
Brand
Fossil (Fossil Group, Inc.). Tier: Affordable/Fashion lifestyle. Fossil is known for democratic design that brings luxury aesthetics to a mass-market price point.
Movement
Japanese Quartz (typically a Miyota or similar SII caliber) with a standard three-hand date function. Powered by a silver oxide battery; frequency of 32,768 Hz.
Dimensions
Case diameter: 42mm; Thickness: 12mm; Lug-to-lug: 48mm; Lug width: 22mm. It wears large and robust, consistent with modern athletic standards.
Description
The Fossil Blue ES5248 is a contemporary reimagining of the brand's popular 90s dive collection. It balances aggressive tool-watch geometry with everyday wearability. The blue colorway is cohesive across the dial and bezel, accented by a sporty red date and seconds hand that pop against the monochromatic navy. It serves as a stylish, reliable daily driver that mimics the presence of high-end Swiss divers without the financial barrier of entry.
Key Features
Red-colored date wheel, Fossil Blue wave logo at 6 o'clock, 200m depth rating (unusual for fashion-brand watches), and a high-contrast handset designed for legibility.
Dial Description
Matte navy blue dial with applied baton-style hour markers filled with white lume. Features a bold white plunging-style handset (sword and pencil hybrid) and a red-tipped seconds hand. A date window with a red numeral is located at 3 o'clock. The Fossil "Blue" wave logo is featured above 6 o'clock.
Case Material
Brushed and polished 316L stainless steel. The watch features polished slab sides and brushed lug tops for a classic tool-watch contrast.
Crystal Type
Mineral glass crystal, flat profile. Moderate scratch resistance compared to sapphire, but higher impact resistance.
Bezel Details
Unidirectional rotating dive bezel in blue aluminum. Markings include a 60-minute scale with Arabic numerals every 5 minutes and a luminous pip at the 12 o'clock triangle.
Crown & Pushers
Large stainless steel screw-down crown located at 3 o'clock. Fluted for grip, featuring integrated shoulder-style crown guards.
Bracelet or Strap
Three-link "Oyster" style brushed stainless steel bracelet with a single-press deployant clasp and safety latch.
Caseback Details
Solid screw-down stainless steel caseback. Typically engraved with the Fossil brand name, reference number (ES5248), water resistance rating, and serial number.
Movement Type
Japanese Quartz (typically a Miyota or similar SII caliber) with a standard three-hand date function. Powered by a silver oxide battery; frequency of 32,768 Hz.
Water Resistance
200 Meters (20 ATM). Suitable for surface swimming, snorkeling, and light recreational diving. Screw-down crown must be tightened to maintain this rating.
Origin & Provenance
American brand; movement sourced from Japan (Miyota); cased and assembled in China. Part of the relaunch of the "Fossil Blue" line which originally debuted in the late 1990s.
Age Estimate
Circa 2022-2024. The design reflects the recent brand refresh focused on heritage-inspired dive aesthetics.
Cultural Significance
Represents the 'democratic' horology movement—providing the appearance and some functional specs of a deep-sea diver to the general public. It reflects the enduring popularity of the dive watch aesthetic in mainstream fashion.
Condition Notes
Based on the image, the watch appears to be in Excellent/Near-Mint condition. The case and bezel show no visible marring, and the crystal is clear. The bracelet links are tightly aligned.
Value Estimate
MSRP: Approximately $150 USD. Secondary market value: $60 - $95 USD depending on condition and inclusion of original tin box.
Care & Maintenance
Battery replacement every 2-3 years. Ensure the crown is fully screwed down before any water contact. Wipe down the stainless steel bracelet periodically to prevent grime buildup in the links.
Similar Watches
Casio Duro MDV106 (lower price, more traditional diver), Seiko 5 Sports SRPD series (mechanical, higher price), Invicta Pro Diver (Rolex homage focus).
Interesting Facts
The 'Fossil Blue' collection was a major commercial success in the 90s, helping transition the brand from vintage-themed collectibles into the sports-watch category. This specific model is part of a 2020s revival aimed at nostalgic millennials.