Posted 12 years ago
douglasgai…
(1 item)
This is an old Mickey Mouse watch given to me as a gift by a Hotel owner near Disneyland back in the seventies. While I thought it was cool to wear a Mickey Mouse watch then, I actually preferred an old "Goofy" I had which ran backwards with the face numbers reversed. After a short while I threw this self winding Mickey into a drawer and simply forgot about it for 30 years. I picked it up the other day, and wanting to see if it would actually run, I put it on my left wrist next to my Rolex. Unbelievably, a day later it was rocking right along with my "Rollee" and had exactly the same time right down to the minute!
So now, I'm anxious to learn ANYTHING I can about this watch? Is it rare? Is it a collector's item? When did HELBROS start and OR, stop manufacturing these 17 Jewel SELF WINDING date date MICKEY MOUSE watches in West Germany? WHERE can I research this watch? Are there source materials for looking up old Helbros watches? I'm wondering what they sold for back in the 70's and of course, I would like to find out what it might be worth today? Are there services that will evaluate, appraise and put a suggested price on watches of this type? Is it something I should give to a 14 year old Grandson as a birthday present or is would it be better to save it in a collection?
ANY information you might share or HELP you can provide would be most appreciated. Thank you.
Thank you for sharing this wonderful piece. First, It is very collectable and somewhat rare. They are a superb timekeeper and a wonderful addition to any collection. They were made for "Disney" under the Elgin contract, that started Jan 1972.
I have seen these sell from $200 and up. Sorry I don't know what they sold for new, but during that time frame, Mickey watches sold from $12.95 at the low end to $21.95 for the better 17 Jewel watches at Disneyland, so I'd venture to say It didn't sell for more than $50 new.
I might give it to one of my grandchildren, but I would have to be sure that they were somewhat responsable. It always depends on the young person. The question you need to ask yourself on that question, Would you give your grandson a classic watch, possibly a lower grade Omega? I have seen them and this model sell for the same money.
Again Thanks fore sharing.
Best Regards, Kerry
KERRY: thank you so much for your generous post and great information.