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Tools · 29 May 2008, 04:39 AM

Disney had some great watches that could only be purchased at Disneyland. This rarity has made them one of the most collected watch categories in the world..

Some of them were little more than childs toys....But, many of them were full size timepieces expected to last a lifetime.

Here is one of mine from the late 60's.

A Helbros manual wind full size men's watch...34mm:

The dial and hands are original and untouched:

Mickeys paint has faded over the years, and the font is not up to a Rolex standard...Still, the price was much less too:

The back tells a story. Water resistant, stainless steel back, but a brass case with chrome plate (base metal bezel)

Inside this one we find a respectable manually wound, 17 jewel, Helbros ca. M132 movement:

We see a flat hairspring, but nicely jeweled at the pivot. Look closely and you can see the three "leaf" springs that provide shock protection:

For an inexpensive commercial product, these watches probably put many high dollar pieces to shame for appreciation over time as a percentage of cost.... Plus, after almost 45 years, it still runs smoothly and keeps excellent time.

DSJ · 29 May 2008, 05:56 AM

I received a gift of a Mickey Mouse watch many years ago, when I worked at Disneyland. A friend of my parents got it when she was much younger. I totally forgot about it until just now. I just pulled it out. It's an Ingersoll, rounded tank style, burnt maroon plastic/leather strap. The case opens and the movement comes out with the caseback. I looked inside for the first time, wound it a few times, and it's ticking away now. The movement is not nearly as nice as yours, but I'm now curious about its value. I'll have to take some pics at some point. The back of the case says US Time.
I think I found the same watch on eBay, but I believe my strap is original:
http://cgi.liveauctions.ebay.com/Ing...mZ280229772842

oneillba · 29 May 2008, 06:00 AM

Larry, very nice example! My cousin has something similar to yours. I will have to check it out.

Tools · 29 May 2008, 06:14 AM

Brian and David, Thanks...

David, I believe that US Time went on to become Timex Corp.

diversified · 29 May 2008, 06:26 AM

You guys are so lucky to have those watches. I'll be damned if I can find a Hop-A-Long Cassidy watch that was given to me in the 1960s.

DSJ · 29 May 2008, 06:28 AM

Larry, that appears to be correct!
http://www.pmwf.com/TimexOnlineMuseum/TimexHistory.htm

Another school day here at TRF for David!

vegasvince · 30 May 2008, 03:19 PM

That's a cool watch and in great condition! Do you still wear it?

29 May 2008, 04:39 AM	#1
Tools TRF Moderator & 2024 DATE-JUST41 Patron Join Date: May 2007 Real Name: Larry Location: Mojave Desert Watch: GMT's Posts: 43,216	'60s Mickey..... Disney had some great watches that could only be purchased at Disneyland. This rarity has made them one of the most collected watch categories in the world.. Some of them were little more than childs toys....But, many of them were full size timepieces expected to last a lifetime. Here is one of mine from the late 60's. A Helbros manual wind full size men's watch...34mm: The dial and hands are original and untouched: Mickeys paint has faded over the years, and the font is not up to a Rolex standard...Still, the price was much less too: The back tells a story. Water resistant, stainless steel back, but a brass case with chrome plate (base metal bezel) Inside this one we find a respectable manually wound, 17 jewel, Helbros ca. M132 movement: We see a flat hairspring, but nicely jeweled at the pivot. Look closely and you can see the three "leaf" springs that provide shock protection: For an inexpensive commercial product, these watches probably put many high dollar pieces to shame for appreciation over time as a percentage of cost.... Plus, after almost 45 years, it still runs smoothly and keeps excellent time. __________________ (Chill ... It's just a watch Forum.....) NAWCC Member

29 May 2008, 05:56 AM	#2
DSJ "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Real Name: David Location: USA Watch: your step! Posts: 7,882	I received a gift of a Mickey Mouse watch many years ago, when I worked at Disneyland. A friend of my parents got it when she was much younger. I totally forgot about it until just now. I just pulled it out. It's an Ingersoll, rounded tank style, burnt maroon plastic/leather strap. The case opens and the movement comes out with the caseback. I looked inside for the first time, wound it a few times, and it's ticking away now. The movement is not nearly as nice as yours, but I'm now curious about its value. I'll have to take some pics at some point. The back of the case says US Time. I think I found the same watch on eBay, but I believe my strap is original: http://cgi.liveauctions.ebay.com/Ing...mZ280229772842 __________________ Rolex. The Rolex of watches. 16570 Expy2 Noir, 116710 GMT Master II, 2552.80 SMP

29 May 2008, 06:00 AM	#3
oneillba "TRF" Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Real Name: Brian Location: Hamilton, MI USA Watch: My beloved TT DJ Posts: 3,831	Larry, very nice example! My cousin has something similar to yours. I will have to check it out. __________________ My Trusty TT DJ

29 May 2008, 06:14 AM	#4
Tools TRF Moderator & 2024 DATE-JUST41 Patron Join Date: May 2007 Real Name: Larry Location: Mojave Desert Watch: GMT's Posts: 43,216	Brian and David, Thanks... David, I believe that US Time went on to become Timex Corp. __________________ (Chill ... It's just a watch Forum.....) NAWCC Member

29 May 2008, 06:28 AM	#6
DSJ "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Real Name: David Location: USA Watch: your step! Posts: 7,882	Larry, that appears to be correct! http://www.pmwf.com/TimexOnlineMuseum/TimexHistory.htm Another school day here at TRF for David! __________________ Rolex. The Rolex of watches. 16570 Expy2 Noir, 116710 GMT Master II, 2552.80 SMP

29 May 2008, 06:26 AM	#5
diversified "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Real Name: Jim Location: State College PA Posts: 1,694	You guys are so lucky to have those watches. I'll be damned if I can find a Hop-A-Long Cassidy watch that was given to me in the 1960s.

30 May 2008, 03:19 PM	#7
vegasvince "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Real Name: Vincent Location: Vegas, baby! Watch: one from ShopNBC! Posts: 436	That's a cool watch and in great condition! Do you still wear it? __________________ SeaDweller "Z" Yachtmaster "Z" Oyster Perpetual "M"

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