CONTROLLING AND NONCONTROLLING INTEREST (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
Sep. 29, 2012	Oct. 01, 2011	Sep. 29, 2012	Oct. 01, 2011
Summary of changes in equity attributable to controlling and noncontrolling interest
Beginning Balance			$ 1,116,846	$ 1,051,708
Net income	79,877	72,504	201,337	184,601
Currency translation adjustment	12,249	(26,112)	6,639	3,795
Unrealized gain on securities available for sale	(4)	(309)	25	(556)
Forward contracts hedging intercompany foreign currency payments-change in fair values	(1,983)	11,985	(1,075)	5,115
Common stock issued upon exercise of stock options and stock appreciation rights			5,279	8,218
Tax benefit derived from stock-based compensation			11,223	9,723
Distribution of noncontrolling interest earnings			(4,406)	(3,772)
Business acquisitions			19,980
Common stock forfeitures put to treasury				(5,601)
Common stock issued upon legal settlement				7,833
Acquisition of common stock			(205,631)	(204,430)
Stock-based compensation expense			12,858	10,524
Ending Balance	1,163,075	1,067,158	1,163,075	1,067,158
Fossil, Inc. Stockholders' Equity
Summary of changes in equity attributable to controlling and noncontrolling interest
Beginning Balance			1,105,929	1,044,118
Net income			192,269	176,792
Currency translation adjustment			6,639	3,795
Unrealized gain on securities available for sale			25	(556)
Forward contracts hedging intercompany foreign currency payments-change in fair values			(1,075)	5,115
Common stock issued upon exercise of stock options and stock appreciation rights			5,279	8,218
Tax benefit derived from stock-based compensation			11,223	9,723
Business acquisitions			19,899
Common stock forfeitures put to treasury				(5,601)
Common stock issued upon legal settlement				7,833
Acquisition of common stock			(205,631)	(204,430)
Stock-based compensation expense			12,858	10,524
Ending Balance	1,147,415	1,055,531	1,147,415	1,055,531
Noncontrolling Interest
Summary of changes in equity attributable to controlling and noncontrolling interest
Beginning Balance			10,917	7,590
Net income			9,068	7,809
Distribution of noncontrolling interest earnings			(4,406)	(3,772)
Business acquisitions			81
Ending Balance	$ 15,660	$ 11,627	$ 15,660	$ 11,627

Common stock issued upon legal settlement.

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The total equity impact of the cost of common stock that were repurchased during the period. Recorded using the cost method.

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This element represents the amount of recognized equity-based compensation during the period, that is, the amount recognized as expense in the income statement (or as asset if compensation is capitalized). Alternate captions include the words "stock-based compensation".

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Tax benefit associated with any equity-based compensation plan other than an employee stock ownership plan (ESOP). The tax benefit results from the deduction by the entity on its tax return for an award of stock that exceeds the cumulative compensation cost for common stock or preferred stock recognized for financial reporting. Includes any resulting tax benefit that exceeds the previously recognized deferred tax asset (excess tax benefits).

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Decrease in noncontrolling interest balance from payment of dividends or other distributions by the non-wholly owned subsidiary or partially owned entity, included in the consolidation of the parent entity, to the noncontrolling interest holders.

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Net of tax amount of the appreciation (loss) in the value of unsold available-for-sale securities. Excludes amounts related to other than temporary impairment (OTTI) losses.

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Net of tax and reclassification adjustments amount of the change in accumulated gain (loss) from derivative instruments designated and qualifying as the effective portion of cash flow hedges. Also includes an entity's share of an equity investee's increase (decrease) in deferred hedging gain (loss).

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Net of tax and reclassification adjustments of the change in the balance sheet adjustment that results from the process of translating subsidiary financial statements and foreign equity investments into the reporting currency of the reporting entity. Also includes the following: gain (loss) on foreign currency forward exchange contracts; foreign currency transactions designated as hedges of net investment in a foreign entity and intercompany foreign currency transactions that are of a long-term nature, when the entities to the transaction are consolidated, combined, or accounted for by the equity method in the reporting enterprise's financial statements; and gain (loss) on a derivative instrument or nonderivative financial instrument that may give rise to a foreign currency transaction gain (loss) that has been designated and qualified as a hedging instrument for hedging of the foreign currency exposure of a net investment in a foreign operation.

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The consolidated profit or loss for the period, net of income taxes, including the portion attributable to the noncontrolling interest.

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Amount of stockholders' equity (deficit), net of receivables from officers, directors, owners, and affiliates of the entity, attributable to both the parent and noncontrolling interests. Amount excludes temporary equity. Alternate caption for the concept is permanent equity.

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Value of stock issued pursuant to acquisitions during the period.

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Value of stock (or other type of equity) forfeited during the period.

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Gross value of stock (or other type of equity) issued during the period as a result of any equity-based compensation plan other than an employee stock ownership plan (ESOP). Stock issued could result from the issuance of restricted stock, the exercise of stock options, stock issued under employee stock purchase plans, and/or other employee benefit plans.

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