olegc
10-29-2012, 06:50 AM
As reported on another website (http://micechat.com/14960-wreck-it-ralph/), Disneyland (and WDW) has discontinued the Custom Watch program in the parks. To me - its another unfortunate casualty in the cost-containment and profit-margin focus that is the norm now at the Parks. While not cheap many of these custom watches - both individual and generally themed - were amazing pieces of art created for you. I loved watching the artists work and asking where they got the inspiration for certain designs, themes, or even elements in a particular art piece. It was, after all, about the art itself and not the watch (at least to me). I get that they may not be as popular in this economy (still dragging on) but its unfortunate that the program is gone.
About 10 years ago or so I was in the store - and Charles Landholm (http://disney.go.com/disneyinsider/collectibles/artists/charles-r-landholm) (one of the artists) and two other CMs were talking about what to name one of his new designs. It had Mickey's face, three long squiggles, and three triangles at 9, 12, and 3. They were trying to come up with a name that had three in it (and a couple were not really appropriate). I was listening to their conversation and just openly offered "How about "Uno Mouse Tres", a play on Uno Dos Tres. Well, they loved it and used it. It became one of the most succesfully sold watches of Charles' work there. I can't claim full credit because its just a name - the art was great. Classic yet with modern twists. However, I like to think now I have a very tiny piece of Disney lore I can claim (and I do have #1 in the series).
Charles is a fantastic artists and I checked in with him from time to time at the parks. I was able to finally introduce my whole family to him this past July while we were there for my 50th birthday. Charles related the story and it was a fun moment. I hope he's able to still be around in some capacity at the Parks. Losing quality artists over time at the Parks is a negative in my opinion.
About 10 years ago or so I was in the store - and Charles Landholm (http://disney.go.com/disneyinsider/collectibles/artists/charles-r-landholm) (one of the artists) and two other CMs were talking about what to name one of his new designs. It had Mickey's face, three long squiggles, and three triangles at 9, 12, and 3. They were trying to come up with a name that had three in it (and a couple were not really appropriate). I was listening to their conversation and just openly offered "How about "Uno Mouse Tres", a play on Uno Dos Tres. Well, they loved it and used it. It became one of the most succesfully sold watches of Charles' work there. I can't claim full credit because its just a name - the art was great. Classic yet with modern twists. However, I like to think now I have a very tiny piece of Disney lore I can claim (and I do have #1 in the series).
Charles is a fantastic artists and I checked in with him from time to time at the parks. I was able to finally introduce my whole family to him this past July while we were there for my 50th birthday. Charles related the story and it was a fun moment. I hope he's able to still be around in some capacity at the Parks. Losing quality artists over time at the Parks is a negative in my opinion.