Posted 11 years ago
vonsboy
(13 items)
Made in germany for the British market, very expensive in it's day,
the depression years,also available as a pocket watch.The pocket
watches are not hard to find but these wristwatches are quite rare
indeed. The first Mickey Mouse watch offered for sale in the United
Kingdom in 1934, manufactured for Ingersoll Ltd of London by UMF
in Ruhla Germany. Called the "balloon" trousered Mickey for obvious
reasons, the crude design was changed in 1936. A matching pocket
watch was also offered and a fob was sold seperately.Because of the
small market, as compared to the U.S., it has been estimated that fewer
than 10,000 were produced.
UMF Rulha movement, great posting
Kerry i wish everyone could own one.
Sorry slow with response, buiding a bridge and just checked CW during lunch a
Oops, dang phone, wasn't finished with commnt. I will finish hen I get home
Okay then, real keyboard.
vonsboy, it would be nice if "All" could own one of the first Mickey watches, be it the English or the Us versions. Can't help but notice you have both, mint and in boxes. Nice is an understatement
George has mentioned knowing only a handful of people with both of the English variants I would agree with that and add even fewer have both Us and English #1's. I can attest to knowing of 5 people now that fit that description.
I will add a little to my first comment:
UMF/Ruhla (Germany) was contracted to produce the movements for Ingersoll LTD of London , during the the time frame between the WW1 and WW2, all movements for export were marked "Foreign" on the back plate bridge. The dials intern were also marked as such.
The cost, as you mentioned, made these pieces seem to be somewhat "Out of Reach" for most. Thus the ones that are around now are few and far in between. I believe the pocket watches are more plentiful due to that fact, the wrist watch was over double the price at 15 verses the 6/11 for the pocket watch.
Kerry The US Mickeys are so common,millions were made and sold, it shouldn't be too hard for even a casual collector to locate one with a little effort. A quick
look on Ebay should suffice. The UK versions as we know are scarce and are
probably mostly of serious interest to more hard core collectors,and just as well
perhaps.
Stunning piece! The US wire lugs and the early mite with linear numerals dial (large 5 & 7) are probably equally rare as the English versions. I do however agree other models are mass produced except for a few prototypes.
geo26e fortunately for collectors, so many of these watches have survived
that finding many of the various models is not too difficult.
vonsboy,
I would agree for the whole series of Variants, but as for the #1 Chicago World Fair model the numbers are decreased , I don't know as to the exact number, but to have one in the box with the blue sticker are for the "Serious" collectors also.
I must be a one of those half hard core type,lol, some of mine are not pristine but I do have almost all of the Mickey Ingersoll LTD pieces. All three that I do not have are Clocks.
I also agree it's takes a serious collector to find and make the commitment to purchase those. As for me saying "Wish all could have one" would refer to a Mickey watch period,with the notion for Mickey is noted for being the "Goodwill Ambassador" to the world .
Kerry