Fossil Twist Grant ME1114 Review

About Fossil

Fossil watches tend to focus more on fashion than on function, though in recent years they have made investments in manufacturing facilities in Switzerland. In 2013 Fossil began offering the Fossil Swiss line of watches that are an upscale Swiss-made brand.

They produce watches for other brands as well, including Burberry, DKNY, Emporio Armani, Armani Exchange, Columbia Sportswear, Diesel, Frank Gehry, Karl Lagerfeld, Tory Burch, Kate Spade, Michael Kors, Callaway Golf, Davis Cup, Marc by Marc Jacobs, Skagen Designs, Michele and Adidas.

HOW WE REVIEW WATCHES

Our reviews are based on our first-hand experience with the watch. All photos and media are created by us (unless otherwise credited). Learn more about how we review watches.

Review Summary

The Twist Grant is an interesting watch. Actual timekeeping is kept accurate thanks to the quartz movement powering the hours/minutes, and the seconds hand is more or less a showpiece powered by an automatic movement. It wants to be an automatic, and it wants to be a Quartz, and the result is one of the only quartzomatics in the world. For someone who wants a good looking and inexpensive watch with a bit of flair, the Fossil Twist Grant ME1114 is a good choice.

Fossil Twist Grant Technical Specifications

Model Number: ME1114
MSRP: $175
Case Diameter: 44mm
Alternate Models: Different color and complication combinations available
Movement: Quartz/automatic hybrid
Complications: n/a
Battery Life: Approximately 4 years
Water Resistance: 100m/330ft
Crystal Material: Mineral

Setting the Time

The Fossil Twist is first and foremost a quartz timepiece. Timekeeping is quite accurate as a result. To set the time, use the crown (located at 12 o’clock).

How To set the time:

Pull crown to the furthest position (position 2). Turn the crown clockwise to set the time.

Fossil Twist Grant Aesthetics & Design

Fossil has created an attractive timepiece with the Twist Grant ME1114. The face is a bit complicated for my taste, but despite this it remains attractive overall. This watch is constantly commented on by “non-watch” people, mostly due to its rose gold case and open heart display.

It’s a good size, being somewhat taller than most 44mm watches, but still comfortable on the wrist. It looks good from just about any angle.

The mineral crystal has made it exceptionally challenging to get a clear shot of the dial, though I think I’ve managed to succeed with ac ouple of the close ups. The dial itself is textured, grooved, and highly decorated.

The hour markers and hands are all done in rose gold as well, with some small amounts of lume on the hour and minute hands. They are difficult to see at night unless the lume is fully charged, and even then the effect is fleeting.

When the automatic mechanism gets turning it is an attractive display. This is what people comment on the most, and I can’t blame them- I think it’s pretty neat, too.

Fossil Twist Grant Build Quality

The build quality is an area where the Twist Grant falls up short. Part of this is due to the use of rose gold, and part of it is build quality itself. If you look closely at the dial, you’ll notice that the 12 o’clock marker isn’t aligned properly, angled slightly leftward. The 6 o’clock marker is angled slightly rightward. In fact, most of the hour markers are slightly off angle.

Crystal, Case, and Dial

The mineral crystal as slightly domed, and while it’s attractive, it also makes it a target for scratches (as seen in the photos with a white speck near the seconds dial). It is not at all durable and reflective of its fashion watch status.

Unfortunately, there are imperfections abound in the rose gold finish. In fact, I had to return the first two Twist Grant’s that I picked up due to significant quality control errors in the rose gold. Now, on the third, I’ve chosen to settle with some minor discoloration (on areas of the watch I rarely see) since I’m either too picky or the rose gold is simply too challenging to get right.

In all fairness, I also returned my Hamilton Open Secret in rose gold for the same reason (and it costs 15x as much as the Fossil).

Strap and Clasp

The leather strap, done in a crocodile grain, looks and feels great. It’s supple and almost luxurious, feeling as good as Swiss straps on timepieces that cost three or four times as much. The leather is also looking good after many hours of wrist time. There isn’t much noticeable discoloration or cracking in the finish- a positive sign that the strap will look good for a couple of years at least.

The rose gold clasp is sturdy and is otherwise standard. The rose gold on the clasp seems to be holding up to regular use well.

More About the Fossil Twist Grant

Movement

I was unable to find any valuable information regarding the movement used inside. However, I have no reason to believe that the quartz movement would present any problems as Fossil has been using quartz movements extensively since 1984. The automatic component… that I’m a little less sure about.

The automatic movement powers what is essentially a decorative seconds hand. It looks good, it feels good, and it will likely impress your friends, but it has absolutely no bearing on timekeeping in any capacity… and I mean none at all.

Value for Money

I really struggle with this watch. On one hand I like how it looks and feel that it’s comfortable to wear. On the other hand it it represents a lot of things that I have concerns with in regards to fashion watches- namely, their disposability, build quality, and lack of purpose.

Priced at around $175, the Twist Grant is actually on the expensive side for entry-level quartz and entry-level mechanical watches. For that money you could get a stylish Skagen, an entry-level Seiko (or two or three Seiko 5’s), or a myriad of other quartz options… some even from established Swiss, German, and Japanese brands.

But, none of those alternative options will come in rose gold. They won’t have the gimmicky Twist movement. If you value those things, and appreciate that the Fossil warranty service is generally pretty good (that warranty lasts for 11 years, by the way), then the Fossil may be a good purchase for you.