Lot #4796
Accutron Bulova RR Approved CL15.9090 Mickey Mouse by Sidney Mobell GF and Steel
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Introduction
Few watches capture the playful experimentation of mid-century American watchmaking quite like this Accutron Mickey Mouse. Produced in 1968 and powered by Bulova’s revolutionary tuning fork Accutron cal. 214 movement, this extraordinary piece combines cutting-edge horological technology with whimsical character design in a way that would have seemed highly unconventional at the time. Remarkably, the watch is believed to have been created in an edition of just three examples by prominent San Francisco jeweler Sidney Mobell, a figure well known for his eccentric luxury creations, including solid gold mousetraps and other novelty objects. According to Mobell, the watches were produced for Robert H. O’Brien, then president of MGM, his son, and Roy Disney himself after Disney encountered the watch and requested an example of his own. The GCR on the dial stands for "Grand Canyon Railroad", commemorating the famous Grand Canyon diorama that was added to the Disney railroad in 1958. Costing approximately the same as a Rolex Datejust when new, the Mickey Mouse Accutron stands today as a fascinating intersection of pop culture, high horology, and American design eccentricity.
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Grade
V 8.5
Status
Vetted & Approved
Included
Box and papers
Est. value range
$1,000 – $2,000
The Details
Brand
Bulova
Dimensions
35mm
Model
Mickey Mouse
Movement
Accutron cal. 214 tuning fork movement
Reference
CL15.9090
Bracelet
Original Accutron leather strap
Year
1968
Condition
Excellent
Material
Gold-filled bezel with stainless steel case
Included
Box and papers
Dial Color
White railroad dial
THE DIAL
The railroad-style dial is signed “GCR” for Grand Canyon Railroad and features a hand-painted Mickey Mouse figure at its center, with Mickey’s paintbrush arms serving as the watch’s hands. The playful artwork contrasts brilliantly with the technical sophistication of the Accutron movement within, creating a watch that feels both whimsical and surprisingly refined.
THE CONSTRUCTION
The watch features a stainless steel case with a gold-filled bezel and is signed “Sidney Mobell,” linking it directly to the famed San Francisco jeweler responsible for its creation. Measuring 35mm in diameter, the case maintains classic mid-century proportions while housing Bulova’s groundbreaking tuning fork movement, one of the most technologically advanced calibres of its time.
THE MOVEMENT
Powered by Bulova’s pioneering Accutron cal. 214 tuning fork movement, the watch represents one of the most important electronic wristwatch calibres produced during the pre-quartz era.
Condition
Watch is in overall excellent condition. The gold-filled case shows surface scratches and small nicks as expected of a watch of this vintage, while the steel case back retains well-defined engravings with some surface scratches. The dial shows light surface scuffs, and there is some paint loss visible to the red seconds hand. It is fitted with a brown leather strap and a gold-toned pin buckle. Comes complete with box and warranty booklet.
Our Perspective
This Mickey Mouse Accutron is what happens when a ubiquitous icon is applied to a high-end watch. At the time, this model cost as much as a Rolex Datejust. Sidney Mobell was a prominent jeweler in San Francisco who was famous for making 14K gold mousetraps along with other luxurious oddities. According to Sidney, only three examples of this model were made, one each for the following: Robert H. O’Brien (President of MGM), O’Brien’s son, and Roy Disney. When Disney spotted the watch on O’Brien, Mobell was sure he was going to get in trouble for bootlegging the watch, but turns out Disney just wanted one for himself!
Patrick Parrish
Collector
