Seiko Tomony Disney Time Mickey Mouse 5000-7000 – Manual Winding – 1970s – Hands as Mickey's Arms

There is hardly a watch design that communicates its idea so directly: Mickey’s arms are the hands. The short one indicates the hour, the long one the minute – and you read the time by looking at where the character is pointing. This watch comes from Seiko’s "Disney Time" series of the 1970s and is powered by a mechanical hand-wound movement.

Seiko Tomony and the "Disney Time" series

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

The technical seriousness is remarkable. There is no toy mechanism inside this watch, but a regularly manufactured hand-wound movement from Japanese mass production – according to the available specifications for the reference, the caliber 50C with seven jewels. Seiko built these watches like watches, not like merchandise.

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

Design and character

On a cream-colored background, Mickey stands in a classic illustration, surrounded by Arabic hour numerals in a playful font. The arms are proportioned in such a way that the legibility actually works – a design detail that usually fails in imitations of this principle.

The (relatively rare) gold-plated case measures 34.5 mm without the crown, with a 39.9 mm lug-to-lug and 12 mm height; at 51 grams, the watch is pleasantly light on the wrist. It comes on a new navy NATO strap with a gray-red stripe. The 18 mm lug width allows for a strap change in one minute.

Condition

The watch is functional. The case and crystal show scratches, the gold plating shows only moderate signs of aging – which is not a given for a watch over fifty years old that has been worn. The condition is shown unretouched in the product photos. The condition is agreed upon as described and pictured.

Technical data

• Brand: Seiko / Tomony, "Disney Time" series
• Reference: 5000-7000
• Motif: Mickey Mouse, dial signed "Walt Disney Productions"
• Movement: mechanical hand-wound
• Caliber: 50C
• Jewels: 7 jewels
• Case material: gold-plated, stainless steel case back
• Diameter without crown: 34.5 mm
• Lug-to-lug: 39.9 mm
• Height: 12 mm
• Lug width: 18 mm
• Weight incl. strap: 51 g
• Dating: 1970s
• Strap: new NATO strap (not original)
• Origin: Japan

Who is it for?

For collectors looking for Japanese character watches from the 1970s and who are familiar with the Tomony series. For anyone who wants a watch with a design concept that can be explained in one sentence. And for buyers who prefer a mechanical movement over a battery, even for a watch that is primarily intended to bring joy.

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.