Last week Twitter users in Japan were buzzing about a new Duffy the Disney Bear item being released at Tokyo DisneySEA on Friday, December 17. The Tokyo Disney Resort introduced a Duffy the Disney Bear watch that carries a fairly hefty price tag (32,000 yen – about $385 US based on current exchange rates). I could not originally tell by the photos what was included as it showed a brown watch band, a navy watch band, and then Duffy on a chain. Turns out the watch actually comes with two watch bands and the chain so you can wear him as a necklace.
Ironically, we had made plans to visit Tokyo DisneySEA on Friday in conjunction with our mini-vacation to Southern Japan for Brett’s birthday. I had no plans of purchasing the watch based on the price (it is actually around the same price as I pay for a round-trip ticket from Taipei to Tokyo!) I saw the watch in all the stores that sell Duffy merchandise and did not purchase it, even though the hubby actually gave me permission. He was in line for the Christmas Wishes lottery the entire time I hit the stores in search of the Duffy merchandise we were still missing.
After we were denied tickets in the lottery for the Christmas Wishes show, Brett went to look at the merchandise and ended up buying me the watch for Christmas. I think he felt sorry for me, because I was pretty disappointed we did not get tickets. I am not sure how many watches they sold that day (if any) and I did not see anyone wearing it, but that doesn’t mean people did not buy them.
We bought the watch from McDuck’s and they had to go searching for one, which makes me wonder if they were nearly sold out there. After pulling the watch out of the case, the Cast Member put on white gloves to handle it.
Although it’s quite expensive, I have to admit it is pretty cute. It comes in an adorable brown suede-like box that has the Duffy logo in shiny gold on the box top.
Inside the box, there is a nice warranty card — all in Japanese of course, although Brett was quick to point out that the only words in English were “warranty valid only in Japan.”
The Duffy the Disney Bear watch comes with both brown and blue watch bands and a silver chain. The watch is quite heavy and the head is a bit large, but still quite cute. The watch face opens to reveal Duffy’s face on the dial as well.
What do you think of the new Duffy the Disney Bear watch? Would you purchase it, even with the hefty price tag?
A lifelong Disney fanatic and freelance travel and food writer currently based in Belize and the Netherlands. Annual passholder to all Disney Parks worldwide. Bring you Disney Magic from around the globe.