August 3, 1933 – The First Mickey Mouse Watch is Introduced
On August 3, 1933, the first Mickey Mouse watches were introduced for sale by the Ingersoll-Waterbury Clock Company at the low cost of $3.25 (about $64 today, adjusted for 2019 inflation). This price would eventually be lowered to about $2.95. The watch was a stroke of genius for both Ingersoll-Waterbury and Disney, with merchandising genius Kay Kamen inking a deal between the two and starting a lucrative partnership for both (and kick off the beginning of Disney’s merchandise empire). This watch also saved both companies from bankruptcy.
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