Watch Review: Timex Mickey Mouse, Vintage 1971

Timex Mickey Mouse, Vintage 1971

A few weeks ago, I was thinking, what am I really missing in my collection?  Two watches sprung to mind, a small seconds watch and a Mickey Mouse watch.  As fate would have it, my most recent visit to my favorite antique store (my secret) yielded both!  What we have here is a Timex Mickey Mouse watch from 1971.  Before 1971, they were sold as Ingersol watches, but for just one year, they were sold as Timex watches.   Bradley bought the rights after that, so this is a pretty unique piece.  I found it on the original strap as well!

The watch itself is a wonderful, classic Mickey Mouse watch.  The Mickey Mouse image is what most people think about when they think of him, drawn in the style of the 1950’s through 1970’s .  The colors/printing is a perfect shape.  The dial is a pearl looking metallic finish with simple, Arabic markers.  The bottom of the dial is marked Walt Disney Productions.  The hour and minute hands are Mickey’s arms, obviously.  They end is large, cartoon hands, which are surprisingly easy to read.  All the printing and cutting is done very well.  The seconds hand is a simple, chrome plated stick and works well, by not distracting from the overall motif.  I like how the watch is whimsical, but still practical, since the hour markers are printed in front of, not behind Mickey.  The minute markers are simple lines.

The case is base metal with a thick chrome plating.  The plating is in very good shape, with only a few, small dings.  The crown is unsigned, but still has most of the original chrome plating.  The case back is stainless steel and has the typical markings of an early 70’s Timex.  It has 18mm lugs, which makes it easy to find bands for it.  The movement is an unremarkable Timex 22, hand wind only, with no date.  A dirt simple, but reliable pin lever movement.  Accuracy is about +/- 30 seconds a day.  Nothing wonderful, but very typical of this vintage and quality of watch.  With Mickey’s cartoon hands, you really don’t mind being a minute off.

Overall, I really love this watch.  It was found in all original condition and in great shape.  I was tempted to sell this watch, but I really like wearing it.  I removed the original band (and saved it for posterity/resale) and replaced it with a carbon fiber band.  It looks surprisingly good on such a modern material and it makes the black printing really pop on the dial.  I know this watch is worth 4 to 8 times more than I paid for it, but, for now, it is a keeper and helps round out my collection perfectly.

Features:

Case: 36mm, base metal with chrome plating.

Back: Stainless, Marked Water Resistant, Resistant, Chrome plate over base metal.

Crystal: Acrylic with a light dome.

Movement: Hand winding only, Timex no-jewel pin lever escapement. Caliber 22, 18000 BPH.

Complications: None.

Other: Currently on carbon fiber band.

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Inside of case, showing 11 B 71.  Made in 1971 in Great Britain.

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23 Responses to Watch Review: Timex Mickey Mouse, Vintage 1971

  1. Tiff says:

    You forgot to mention the little girl that didn’t want you to buy it. “But mister!”

  2. admin says:

    Yeah, that was funny. The little girl (whom is the daughter of the owner) said “Sir, Please return the Mickey Mouse watch, I want it.” Ever child who has seen it wants it, plus a few adults.

  3. Gerardo says:

    Dear Sir,

    I am interested in buying this watch if you sell it. I wonder if you could please give me some information about it.

    Kind Regards,

    Gerardo

    • admin says:

      This Mickey Mouse watch hold a special place in my collection. I always wanted one when I was growing up, so it really is not for sale. It gets worn every week and worn more than some much more expensive pieces in my collection. They go for about $100 on ebay, without the original band.

  4. I had my watch stolen on Dec. 4th 2011. It was given to me on my 5th birthday by my Dad and Mom , that was in 1951. The watch looked exactly like yours in the picture above complete to the original black strap.My question is were would I find one and what would be the approx. price if you might know or guess ?

  5. admin says:

    For an 50’s era watch, that would be a challenge. You can find an Ingersoll for about $100 in good condition on eBay. Timex and Bradley from the 70’s will run you from $40 to $80. They command a much higher prices than other watches of that era because they are Mickey Mouse, so you get the Disney AND watch collectors fighting over them.

  6. Rebecca says:

    Thank you for your posting on this particular watch. My father gave me three of his original Mickey watches and I wanted to know the years on them. Thanks for the history lesson too!
    Best Regards,
    Rebecca

  7. I have one EXACTLY like this one pictured above. How much is it worth. I am interested in selling it.

  8. Don Grigsby says:

    Waterbury-Ingersol/U.S. Time/Timex are all one company under different names who made Mickey Mouse Watches under contract for Disney from 1933 until 1971. From 1967-1959 Disney contracted with Seiko to produce high end Mickey Mouse watches. Disney also contracted with Hamilton in 1967-1969 to make a line of watches for them.
    In 1972 Disney contracted with Elgin/Bradley to make watches for them and did not renew their contract with Timex. Without a contract with Disney, Timex could not sell their remaining stock of watches on hand to the public and they were shipped to a warehouse for storage. I have several of those brand-new in box Timex electric black face Mickey Mouse watches by Timex in my collection that were never sold retail that never made it back to the warehouse in 1972. They would be manufactured in 1971. I sold one of them to the curator of the U.S. Time/Timex museum a couple of years ago because they did not have one in their collection. I have not seen one in any other collection and wonder how many {if any}were sold before the Timex contract with Disney expired and whether the warehouse stock was eventually destroyed. There are none on Ebay. They have black genuine leather bands and have the original $59.99 price tags. Mickey is full body with white hands, feet, and face with black ears,legs, and arms. His costume is red with yellow buttons and of course his hands tell the time. The watch also has a sweep seconds hand which is gold as are the arabic numerals. The face has Timex and Disney printed in white on the dial.
    I don’t really need but one of them for my collection, so I would let a few of them go. If someone is interested make me a reasonable offer. They are brand new in their brand new mint condition boxes with all of the paperwork just as they left the factory the factory 42 years ago. The boxes are dark blue with the Mickey head in red logo and “Mickey Unlimited” – “watches by Timex” on the top and the front side of the box.
    dlgrigsby@att.net

  9. Andy says:

    In march of 72 my family and I went to D.W. shortly after its opening. My father purchased one of these for mother. I still have it in my possession. Based on my example I do not think the watch picture above is an original 71 Timex. The movements are inked with the date and should have a 71 stamp. E-mail me if you would like to see pictures of my watch.

    • admin says:

      I am quite certain this watch is from 1971, the dial is marked 2471, which is a 22 (pin lever) movement, 71 is the year. To be sure, I opened the watch up and you can plainly see the manufacture date stamp. I inserted an image above.

  10. J says:

    I have Micky Mouse watch, that looks close to the 1971 vintAge. IT NEVER had a second hand. The silver around the face looks thinner and the pull out pin has cut-out for it on the side. I HAVE HAD IT SINCE it was new and wore it a lot. It runs, I can not see yet, how to open the back. Maybe that is not important. the ban is not original. What year, what brand? HOW ca. I find more of what I have? Thanks, anyone

  11. Franz Singer says:

    I have three Disney Watches made by Timex: Snow White, Mickey Mouse, and Cinderella, in original boxes. They are mounted on a display base with plastic figurines (5 1/4″ high) to match each subject. The watches have never been removed from display base. Timex warranty registration cards in each box. Pictures provided upon request.

  12. Franz Singer says:

    Further comment on previous post. I have not had these watches out of the boxes they came in since purchasing them through a wholesaler in 1971. It is interesting that the Mickey Mouse watch hase “Ingersolle” printed on the face of the watch in red letters at the 3 o’clock position. The box it came in is stamped 30071 Mickey Mouse Chrome plated, strap. And the warranty inside the box is by Timex, P.O. Box 2916, Little Rock, Arkansas 72203 (Guarantee Dept) If anyone has any information on these watches as to value, etc, I would appreciate a response. These watches appear to have been made for marketing to young children.

  13. Pat says:

    I have 2 of these Mickey Mouse watches they are both the same one don’t know what they are worth would love to know.

  14. Gabriel says:

    I have one of these, it´s not working anymore, I tried to fix it but nobody did it, it´s older than 71, chord,

  15. Tengo un Mikey mouse 1971 a la venta valor 1,500.00 pesos México

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  19. CarmenDeStasio says:

    I recently lost my watch very similar to this one. I am so sad. I know it had jewels inside and I guess it is very costly.
    Please tell me how much it will cost me to purchase another one. I will greatly appreciate it.

    • admin says:

      It is a hard one to come by, they seem to be going for around $100 on eBay, if you can find them. It is a pin lever watch and it still goes for that much.

  20. M88BetWin says:

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