Released in 1985 by Hasbro, Watchimals were wearable toy watches in the form of soft animal characters that concealed a digital timepiece. Marketed for children ages 3 and up, the toys combined plush materials with functional electronics in a format that encouraged both play and everyday use. They were promoted with the slogan, “Just open his mouth and he’ll show you the time.”
Each Watchimal took the form of a furry wristband with a sculpted animal head. Opening the animal’s mouth revealed a small LCD watch embedded inside. The watches displayed the time digitally and included basic calendar and seconds functions, with controls accessed through recessed buttons on the watch face.
Watchimals were secured around the wrist using hook-and-loop fasteners, allowing the soft character to wrap around the arm. The digital watch unit could be removed from the plush body for battery replacement or adjustment. Instructions were included to guide time and date setting, as well as battery replacement and reattachment of the watch to the wristband.
The initial release included six characters: elephant, bear, toucan, peacock, mouse, and butterfly. In 1986, an additional six designs were introduced, expanding the line to include snail, dragonfly, dog, goldfish, unicorn, and moose. Each version shared the same underlying construction, differing only in the animal design and colour scheme.
COLLECTOR CONSIDERATIONS
Watchimals readily appear on the secondary market in varying conditions. Functionality of the digital watch can vary, as batteries and internal components may no longer operate reliably. The plush wristbands often show wear, particularly around the fastening area. Look for complete examples with intact watch units and clean fabric.
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