How did Mickey Mouse save the watch manufacturer Ingersoll?

The Mickey Mouse watch was a great success for the American watch manufacturer Ingersoll – and helped popularize wristwatches as affordable everyday and fashion items.

• First model in 1933: Ingersoll launched the watch at the “Century of Progress” World’s Fair in Chicago. Mickey's arms served as the hands: the long arm indicated the minutes, the short one the hours.
• Surprising sales success: The watch initially cost about 3.25 US dollars. It became so popular that visitors lined up at sales booths. The demand was a stroke of luck for Ingersoll, which was in financial difficulty at the time.
• A well-known motif, many versions: There were various cases, dials, and straps. Later models also featured other Disney characters. Therefore, one should pay attention to reference, movement, condition, and original parts when it comes to collector's items.
• A piece of pop culture: The watch turned Mickey Mouse from just a film character into a motif that children and adults could carry with them every day. It is considered an early example of how a licensed character turned an everyday product into a coveted piece of fan merchandise.

A small historical nuance: The production and marketing of Mickey watches was handled by several companies and changed over time; “Ingersoll” is often used as a shorthand, even if later examples are associated with other brand names.