Power Wheels Magazine A Notch Above
When Tokyo Disneyland held their year-long10th anniversary celebration from April 15, 1993, to April 14, 1994, they opened new attractions, such as the Swiss Family Treehouse and Visionarium, and featured special entertainment, such as the “It’s Magical!” castle show and the “Disney Fantasy on Parade” street parade. One thing they did not do was collaborate with Seiko to create a 1993-1994 Seiko 7002 Tokyo Disneyland 10th Anniversary commemorative diver’s watch.
Our 1993 Seiko 7002 Mickey Mouse diver’s watch is not an official factory release by Seiko. It is actually a “Seiko Mod”, an aftermarket modification done on a 1993 Seiko Scuba Diver’s 7002-7000, to time it with Tokyo Disneyland’s 10th Anniversary. The factory black dial was replaced with an aftermarket custom dial featuring Mickey Mouse in the center while his animated black arms with yellow gloves serve as the hour and minute hands.
Like the 7002 Mickey Mouse, our 1994 Seiko 7002 Snoopy diver’s watch is another Seiko Mod, this time made by the renowned Seiko expert, Mang Loy. Based on a 1994 Seiko Scuba Diver’s 7002-7001, a custom red dial with white indices and an image of Snoopy on top of his doghouse replaced the factory dial. The outer ring around the dial and the rotational bezel were finished in the same shade of red as the dial. A red aftermarket rubber strap completes the all-red theme.
Produced between 1988 and 1996, the Seiko 7002 series that were used for these Seiko Mods served as the transition between the legendary 6309 “Turtle”/”Slim Turtle” and the iconic SKX series. (We will feature the SKX tomorrow – Ed.) The 17-jewel Caliber 7002A automatic movement pulses at 21,600 beats per hour (BPH) or 6 beats per second. With its 42 mm stainless steel case and Hardlex mineral crystal, the 7002 has a rated water resistance of 150 meters.
As you would have guessed by now, the Seiko 7002, which in itself is a classic, highly collectible “neo-vintage” automatic dive watch, lends itself well for a neat Seiko Mod because of the easy availability of genuine spare parts, customized parts and accessories. Seiko Mod watches, such as our 1993 Mickey Mouse and 1994 Snoopy, are generally seen as fun, novelty fashion pieces rather than high-end investment watches or “factory rarity” collectibles.
However, if you must have an official vintage Seiko Disney collaboration, look for the Seiko Disney Time 5000-7000 series from the 1970s and 1980s. These manual-wind, non-diver mechanical watches were officially commissioned by Walt Disney Productions. If you want an official Tokyo Disneyland 10th Anniversary commemorative wristwatch, you may catch some being sold on eBay.
Model: Seiko Scuba Diver’s 7002 “Seiko Mod”
Design: Mickey Mouse / Snoopy
Reference No.: 7002-7000 / 7002-7001
Year of Manufacture: 1993 / 1994
Type: Diver’s Watch
Movement: Self-winding/Automatic
Caliber: Seiko 7002A
No. of Jewels: 17
Diameter: 42 mm
Thickness: 13 mm
Lug-to-lug Length: 46 mm
Lug Width: 22 mm
Weight: 102 grams / 95 grams
