Mickey Mouse Watches at Disney Parks

posted on November 29th, 2010 at the Official Disney Parks Blog by Steven Miller, Merchandise Communications Manager

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Do you remember your first Disney watch? I do. It was a Mickey Mouse watch that had a blue nylon band. I must have been about four or five when I received it, and I still have it today. Disney watches have quite a history. In 1933, Timex (then the Waterbury Clock Company), produced the very first Mickey Mouse clocks and watches under an exclusive license from Disney. Mickey Mouse timepieces were introduced to the public at the Chicago World’s Fair in June 1933 and quickly became a hit with fans of the little mouse. Some of those early watches are wonderful collectors’ items today (show of hands – do you have one?). I am excited to share that Disney Theme Park Merchandise has partnered with Timex to create a new “Timex for Disney” collection. I spoke with Lindsay Voigt, product developer for timepieces, about this collection coming to Disney Parks (and on-line) in December.

“I’ve been working on this partnership since January 2010,” explained Lindsay. “Timex watches are well-known and well-made with both classic and trendy designs. It seemed like a perfect fit to introduce this collection to the Disney Parks.”

Of the several different watch styles that will be introduced, I find it challenging to pick my favorite. I like the Modern Easy Reader style pictured at the top of this article as it reminds me of that watch I had as a kid. The T-Series Chronographs are pictured next. I like their simplistic style with a nice contemporary Mickey Mouse accent. Lindsay told me about her favorites.

“I have a difficult time selecting just one design,” said Lindsay. “Each design has elements and details that make the watch unique. If I had to pick one, I like the gold classic digital watch. It reminds me of the kind of watch that my grandfather and father had.”

Artwork for these watches was created by artists from Disney Design Group. Some of Lindsay’s inspiration came from classic Mickey Mouse designs to some recent urban inspired graphics seen in other merchandise categories like the “Oh Mickey!” program.

“I also like the Modern Original Camper designs,” continued Lindsay. “The nylon bands are sportier than the Modern Easy Reader design. I’m happy that we are offering a variety of designs. Being the developer for timepieces, I like pairing great watches with my outfits. Now I have lots of choices.”

To launch the “Timex for Disney” collection, we are holding two special events. In Florida, an event will be held at the World of Disney Store on December 4. In California, we will hold an event on December 11 in the Fortuosity Shop at Disneyland park. At both events, there will be a representative from Timex to discuss the new watches and answer questions. We will also be offering these watches on our Disney Parks On-Line Store.

Pen with Mickey Ears in High Relief

Brazilian Computer Mouse - Vintage Mickey

Walt Disney Signature - Limited Edition

Walt Disney Signature is Disney's first upscale, non-character, adult lifestyle brand. It began with home furnishings and has expanded to include outdoor furniture, entertainment units, rugs, wall décor, tabletop products, jewelry, clothing, stationery, and candles.

Dining Installation and DIFFA Event Display

Milan, Italy – 13 April 2010 – Walt Disney Signature, Disney's first upscale, inspired, non-character, adult lifestyle brand and Cappellini, one of the most renowned design innovators worldwide, today unveiled five limited edition chairs at the Milan Furniture Fair in Italy. The combination of Cappellini's reputation for innovation and the magic and inspiration of Disney has produced a series of everyday products that resemble works of art.

This introduction follows the success of Walt Disney Signature's dining installation in collaboration with Cappellini for last month's Dining By Design DIFFA (Design Industries  Foundation Fighting AIDS) event in New York City.

A 3-dimensional sculpting of Mickey Mouse sitting on a giant chair, previously used for the DIFFA event display, was recreated at Fuori Salone, Milano Design Village to mark today's launch. The Mickey sculpture is made of polyurethane, measures more than three metres tall and weighs 40 kilos.

"Walt Disney and Cappellini both have a shared approach to design, creativity and collaboration that turns everyday products into functional works of art," commented Pamela Lifford, executive vice president, Home and Fashion, Disney Consumer Products. "Collaborating with a leading Italian design brand specialising in contemporary furnishings like Cappellini is another exciting step in continuing Walt Disney Signature's philosophy on design and innovation."

"This collaboration is the premise for a joint Cappellini and Walt Disney Signature stylistic commitment that promises to become a new, interesting and exciting chapter in the history of contemporary design, combining Cappellini's strong inclination for innovation with the magical creativity of Disney," added Giulio Cappellini, Art Director for Cappellini.

The Ribbon stool and the Fish Chair, Y's de Luxe and Rive Droite armchairs are embellished with patterns, each one with a different image and underlying theme. The Ribbon's new profile blends Cappellini design with the outline of Disney's most famous character, Mickey Mouse; Y's de Luxe and Rive Droite reflect and multiply the same image in striking processed fabrics; the Fish Chair's shape is inspired by Disney's It's A Small World and produced in recycled material. Products will be available to the public in late Spring 2010.

ECO FISH Walt Disney Signature limited edition from Cappellini
- design: Satyendra Pakhalè 2010

An organic shape inspired by nature, the Fish Chair is the ideal way to showcase the latest advancement in fabrication - an opaque, multi-coloured plastic created from recycled materials, moulded using a rotational technique. The material is recycled to underline Cappellini's renewed focus on the theme of conserving raw materials for the future generations. The internal part of the seat is coloured white. Series of 99 numbered pieces.

Armchair - cm. 55 x 87 x 40/72 h.

MICKEY'S RIBBON STOOL Walt Disney Signature limited edition from
Cappellini - design: Nendo 2010

With its circular shape, open design and flowing lines, the Ribbon Stool lends itself perfectly to the famous silhouette that peeks over its seat. Merging flawlessly together, our two visions create a single, iconic representation of the seamless collaboration between Cappellini and Walt Disney Signature. This is a series of high and low stools with backrest, produced from laser cut and folded sheet metal. The low stool has a shiny red varnish, the high stool a shiny yellow varnish, whilst the feet are in transparent plastic. Series of 399 numbered pieces for the low stool. Series of 199 numbered pieces for the high stool.

Low stool - cm. Ø 42 x 45/66 h.

High stool - cm. Ø 42 x 78/99 h.

Y'S MICKEY Walt Disney Signature limited edition from Cappellini
- design: Christophe Pillet 2010

With its rounded contours and unique design, the Y's De Lux Chair is the perfect canvas on which to embroider one of our signature icons: a subtle geometric pattern using Mickey's silhouette. Swivel armchair with integral polyurethane frame. Fixed cover in white leather with white yarn embroidery that reproduces the unmistakeable silhouette of the most famous cartoon character in the world. Base in die cast aluminium with matt white varnish, feet in black plastic. Series of 33 numbered pieces.

Armchair - cm. 54.5 x 73 x 43/80 h.

MULTICOLOUR RIVE DROITE Walt Disney Signature limited edition from
Cappellini - design: Patrick Norguet 2010

Making the connection between fashion and design, the Rive Droite chair seamlessly fuses a pure, modern shape, with the graphic pattern of Mickey's overlapping silhouette. The bold, daring palette illustrates both Walt Disney Signature and Cappellini's fearless approach to colour. Swivel armchair with wooden and moulded polyurethane frame. Fixed cover in fabric that presents a highly familiar silhouette in a daring pallette. Base in brushed stainless steel. Series of 99 numbered pieces

Armchair - cm. 93.5 x 73.5 x 38.5/71 h.


Walt Disney Signature product from Cappellini is available at independent and specialty retailers across the globe. Your local Cappellini retailer will be able to take orders beginning April 26, 2010.

Walt Disney Signature - Home Entertainment Collection

Walt Disney Signature is Disney's first upscale, non-character, adult lifestyle brand. It began with home furnishings and has expanded to include outdoor furniture, entertainment units, rugs, wall décor, tabletop products, jewelry, clothing, stationery, and candles.

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE COMPLETE GALLERY WITH 21 PICTURES FROM THIS COLLECTION

Walt Disney Signature Unveils Theo
Kalomirakis Home Entertainment Collection

Latest Disney Signature Expansion Incorporates Plug And Play
Surround Sound Technology

Los Angeles, CA (April 2009) – Renowned for bringing together the latest in animation and sound technologies, Walt Disney createdtimeless film classics that have touched generations. As represented by numerous classics from Snow White and the Seven Dwarves to Sleeping Beauty, Bambi, and Fantasia, he understood the narrativepower of sound in cinema, once describing the experience of seeing Fantasia in the theater as a "visual concert." And now Disney Consumer Productsand Theo Kalomirakis, a leading home theater designer, are expanding the Walt Disney Signature collection, Disney's first upscale lifestylebrand, with a new line of home entertainment furniture inspired by Walt's pioneering use of picture and sound technology. The new line will launch domestically at High Point Market at the International HomeFurnishings Center on April 23, 2009.

"When the lights go down the room has to completely disappear. It's you and the movie on the screen. Walt Disney's films are so compelling because he understood this, and was one of the pioneers in making it happen" said Theo Kalomirakis. "Our furniture is completely designed to seamlessly incorporate the technology so that no one has to see it. The only thing you see is the movie on the screen."

Theo Kalomirakis for Walt Disney Signature is taking home entertainment to new heights with the launch of an upscale home entertainment furniture line featuring armoires and credenzas that incorporate high quality built-in speakers, subwoofers, and MP3 docking stations. Complementing the collection are coordinated sofas, arm chairs, coffee tables and side tables. The credenza houses discreet electrical outlets that power all audiovisual equipment with just a single external cord. Hidden speakers and subwoofers built right into the unit provide superb surround sound without compromising room design.

"Disney is a lifestyle brand, and nothing illustrates that more succinctly than Theo Kalomirakis for Walt Disney Signature," said Robert Oberschelp, director, Walt Disney Signature, Disney Consumer Products. "This new line invites the most discerning home theater enthusiasts to make the magic of Disney a part of their everyday viewing experience."

The new line features three styles of coordinated upholstered furniture and case goods that seamlessly blend form and function:


Toccata

Walt Disney's musical and visual masterpiece, Fantasia, opens with Bach's "Toccata and Fugue in D Minor." The Toccata collection blends modern design with attention to detail bringing the magic of sound to life.


Melody

No one understood music's emotional power better than Walt Disney. In the Disney film short Melody, the music illustrates key moments in the soundtrack of our lives. The Melody collection combines comfort and state-of-the-art technology to create a line that's perfectly in tune with a harmonious lifestyle.

Symphony

In Fantasia, Walt Disney created a striking landscape of mythical beauty inspired by the melodic passages of Beethoven's "Pastoral Symphony." The Symphony collection marries the elegance of classic design with innovative technology to enrich your life with a symphony of timeless beauty.

Kalomirakis summarized the collection saying, "I don't want you to watch a movie, I want you to feel it, to be lost in the experience." 

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE COMPLETE GALLERY WITH 21 PICTURES FROM THIS COLLECTION