Seiko Mickey Mouse 5000-7000 – Manual wind, 1970s – with original Disney strap

You can occasionally find the watch – though not in Europe. But the strap is almost never seen, even in Japan. This piece from Seiko’s "Disney Time" series from the 1970s comes with its original Disney fabric strap – the part that was eventually swapped for a replacement on practically every other example, and which is significantly harder to find today than the watch itself.

Why the strap makes the difference

Character watches were worn, and by children at that. Fabric straps don't survive six decades of that – they tear, get dirty, and get replaced. Anyone looking for a Mickey Mouse Seiko today will find them on NATO straps, leather straps, all sorts of things. You hardly ever find them with the original strap.

This is precisely the price-determining factor for collectibles in this category: the watch alone is a nice object, but the watch and the original strap are a complete historical testament.

Seiko Tomony and the "Disney Time" series

Tomony was a brand for which Seiko produced watches outside of its classic lineup starting in the early 1970s – including the character and licensed models of this series. The reference 5000-7000 is the best-known of these: a round case of about 35 millimeters with a mechanical hand-wound movement, which was released in several dial versions.

What is remarkable is the technical seriousness. There is no toy mechanism in this watch, but a regularly manufactured hand-wound movement from Japanese mass production. Seiko built these watches like watches, not like merchandise – and that is why they are still running fifty years later.

The dial bears the inscription © Walt Disney Productions. This company name was used until 1986 and confirms its placement in the 1970s.

Design and character

Against a silvery background, Mickey stands in classic illustration, surrounded by Arabic hour numerals in a slender font with a dotted minute track. As is typical for this reference, Mickey's arms are the hands: the short one shows the hour, the long one the minute, and you read the time by looking at where the figure is pointing.

The chrome-plated case measures 34.7 mm without the crown, with a 40.2 mm lug-to-lug and a thickness of 11.7 mm. At 34 grams, the watch is extremely light – the original fabric strap contributes significantly to this.

Condition

The watch is functional; the function was checked before purchase. The case and crystal show signs of wear, and the chrome plating shows signs of aging on the edges – this is the normal state for a watch that is over fifty years old and has been worn, and it is depicted unretouched in the product photos. The original fabric strap is preserved and shows the typical signs of wear for textile of this age. The condition is as described and agreed upon.

Technical specifications

• Brand: Seiko / Tomony, "Disney Time" series
• Reference: 5000-7000
• Motif: Mickey Mouse, hands as Mickey's arms, dial signed "© Walt Disney Productions"
• Movement: mechanical hand-wound
• Case material: chrome-plated
• Diameter without crown: 34.7 mm
• Lug-to-lug: 40.2 mm
• Thickness: 11.7 mm
• Lug width: 18 mm
• Weight incl. strap: 34 g
• Dating: 1970s
• Strap: original Disney fabric strap
• Origin: Japan

For whom?

For collectors of Japanese character watches who prioritize completeness – the watch and the original strap belong together. For anyone who wants a mechanical watch with high recognition value. And as a gift with substance: a watch that you have to wind and that is exactly why it stays with you.

Warranty (used)

This is a used item. The limitation period for claims for defects (statutory warranty) is 12 months from delivery.

Note

Since this is a used watch, water resistance cannot be guaranteed. To protect the movement, the watch should not come into contact with water or moisture.