Watches

White Rabbit Rushes Around in Citizen’s New Commercial

WatchesNov 16, 2018

White Rabbit Rushes Around in Citizen’s New Commercial

The chronically late “Alice in Wonderland” character is the star of the watch brand’s first commercial produced in partnership with Disney.

20181116_Citizen_header_new.jpg
A modern-day White Rabbit is the star of Citizen’s first commercial produced in partnership with Disney. True to form, the character is running late throughout the 30-second spot, including for a meeting with Alice and the Mad Hatter.

Orlando—It started with a tea party-style breakfast attended by Citizen and Disney executives, press, influencers and, of course, Alice.

And it all made perfect sense after Citizen debuted the first commercial it’s produced in partnership with The Walt Disney Company at an event in Orlando Wednesday.

The watch brand kicked off the morning with an “Alice in Wonderland”-themed breakfast that also included a drop-in from the White Rabbit and running witty commentary from The Doorknob.

Who are they, you might ask?

Well, The Doorknob held the key, so to speak, to the final, tiny entrance to Wonderland, while White Rabbit is the character whom Alice followed down the rabbit hole that ultimately led her to Wonderland.

The theme of the breakfast played perfectly with Citizen’s Disney debut, which features a white rabbit in a race against time while the White Rabbit’s theme, “I’m Late,” plays in the background.

The 30-second version of the commercial features multiple nods to the original story, including a live-action, modern-day Alice and the rabbit’s being tardy for a showing of “Queen of Hearts” at the Kings Theatre.

WATCH: Citizen Watch’s “I’m Late” commercial


Wednesday’s event in Orlando also gave Citizen the opportunity to showcase its first watches produced in partnership with Disney and to show off the branded clocks stationed around the Magic Kingdom.

Citizen has its name on the iconic clock on Main Street U.S.A.—the foreground for so many shots of Cinderella’s castle— in Orlando and at Disneyland in Anaheim, California, as well as on Fastpass clocks on rides like The Haunted Mansion, Pirates of the Caribbean and the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad rollercoaster.

Its new watches pay homage to Mickey Mouse’s 90th birthday (the mouse made his big-screen debut on Nov. 18, 1928, in “Steamboat Willie”). There are six 40 mm styles and two 29.5 mm watches. They are priced from $295 to $475.


One of the eight styles Citizen produced for Mickey Mouse’s 90th birthday. Citizen announced earlier this year that it has inked a 12-year partnership with Disney that allows it to brand clocks at the company’s theme parks and create watches with Disney characters.

Announced earlier this year at Baselworld, the Citizen-Disney partnership comes at a “vital time,” Jeffrey Cohen, president of Citizen Watch America, said during Wednesday’s press conference, as both Disney and Citizen are marking major milestones.

In addition to Citizen’s marking 100 years and Mickey turning 90, Walt Disney
World Resort Senior Vice President of Operations Jim McPhee noted that Walt Disney World is approaching its 50th anniversary.

Disney also opened “Pandora—the World of Avatar” at Disney’s Animal Kingdom in Orlando last spring and is gearing up to open “Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge” at both Disney World and Disneyland next year, which CEO Robert Iger recently said is the company’s most ambitious project to date.
RELATED CONTENT: Q&A: 10 Questions with Jeffrey Cohen
The new Mickey Mouse watches will be sold online beginning in March.

The new commercial featuring “I’m Late” debuted Thursday during ABC’s “Good Morning America.”

Citizen Chief Marketing Officer Ellen Seckler said going forward, 30- and 15-second versions of the ad will run in all the watch brand’s regular time slots, such as during NFL games, as well as in cinemas with Screenvision.

She said the Disney partnership allows them to license one song per year from the company’s vast catalog, and the White Rabbit’s time-themed anthem was an easy choice for their first Disney-centric commercial.
Michelle Graffis the editor-in-chief at National Jeweler, directing the publication’s coverage both online and in print.

The Latest

Briony Raymond Carousel Collection Campaign Imagery
CollectionsJun 29, 2026
Briony Raymond’s New Collection Is a ‘Carousel’ of Hard Stones

The new jewelry collection uses a colorful palette of onyx, malachite, tiger’s eye, mother-of-pearl, lapis, turquoise, and coral.

Lee Michaels Fine Jewelry Ridgeland Mississippi exterior
IndependentsJun 29, 2026
Look Inside Lee Michaels’ Revamped Mississippi Flagship

Lee Michaels Fine Jewelry is celebrating 30 years in the Ridgeland, Mississippi community.

Sean Milliner
GradingJun 29, 2026
National Rarities Announces New Gemology Manager

Sean Milliner has joined the company.

Brought-To-By-Article-Top-Image.jpg
Brought to you by
Wedding Band Trends 2026: Personalization Takes Center Stage

Colored gemstones, artisan finishes, mixed metals, and meaningful details are shaping demand in bridal jewelry.

GIA London Canary Wharf campus
GradingJun 29, 2026
GIA to Open New London Campus

Classes will begin in August at GIA’s new Canary Wharf location.

Weekly QuizJun 25, 2026
This Week’s Quiz
Test your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Take the Quiz
Hogback diamond ring
AuctionsJun 26, 2026
‘Hogback’ Diamond Ring Finds a New Home

A ring set with “hogback” diamonds, an early stone cut dating to around the 16th century, sold for more than $20,000 at a U.K. auction.

Kris Averi Rainbow Prism Thorn Ring
CollectionsJun 26, 2026
Strength Is Sharpened Into Beauty in Kris Averi’s ‘Prism Thorn’ Ring

The rainbow version of the ring, our Piece of the Week, features angel-cut, octahedral lab-grown sapphires designed to be worn as armor.

DCA-NJ-article-1872x1052-060826.jpg
Brought to you by
Building the Future of Jewelry Retail: DCA Expands Education, Leadership Development, and Workforce Solutions

DCA is preparing the next generation of professionals by supporting workforce development, leadership growth, and career advancement.

A tray of Rembrandt charms
MajorsJun 26, 2026
Rembrandt Charms Debuts ‘Charms That Give Back’

The new initiative donates a portion of the proceeds from select charms to charitable causes.

Bernard James Knickerbockers Special Edition Aura Band
TrendsJun 26, 2026
Bernard James Celebrates Knicks’ Win with Ring

The Brooklyn-based jeweler created a limited-edition version of its “Aura” eternity band, set with gemstones in the team’s colors.

Brandee Dallow
SourcingJun 25, 2026
ICA Names Brandee Dallow as CEO

Dallow will lead the International Colored Gemstone Association, effective July 6.

SCAD Jewelers Mutual Studio exterior
EditorsJun 25, 2026
Out & About: How Jewelers Mutual, SCAD Are Tackling the Bench Jeweler Shortage

Senior Editor Lenore Fedow headed to Savannah to learn more about the 10-year, $10 million partnership between JM and the art school.

Mejuri Steel Collection Campaign Imagery
CollectionsJun 25, 2026
Mejuri Experiments With Steel

Its new capsule jewelry collection features gold-finished stainless steel pieces designed for a maximalist look without a luxury price tag.

Watches and Wonders 2027
Events & AwardsJun 25, 2026
Watches & Wonders Announces 2027 Dates

The week-long event in Geneva is slated for April 2027.

New Gem Legacy board members Annie Doresca, Mark Smelzer, Sara Yood
SourcingJun 25, 2026
Annie Doresca, Mark Smelzer, Sara Yood Join Gem Legacy Board

The three industry leaders bring financial, communications, and legal expertise to the nonprofit’s board of directors.

Smart Age CEO and National Jeweler columnist Emmanuel Raheb
ColumnistsJun 24, 2026
The Revenue Hiding Between Your Counter and Your Online Cart

Jewelers are missing out by not offering this one key add-on at the online point of sale, Emmanuel Raheb writes.

Hyacinth Charm on Hackmanite Bead Strand, Peach Opal Bead Strand, Hydrangea Charm on Aquamarine Bead Strand
CollectionsJun 24, 2026
Greenwich St. Jewelers, Jewel Boxing’s Latest Drop Is On-Trend

The fourth collaborative collection from the retailer and jewelry content creator focuses on gemstone charms and strands of colorful beads.

“Elements” bracelet best of show AGTA Spectrum 2025
Events & AwardsJun 24, 2026
AGTA Accepting Entries for Spectrum 2026

This year’s AGTA Spectrum & Cutting Edge Awards will feature two new categories.

Columbia Gem House alexandrite
SourcingJun 24, 2026
Columbia Gem House To Offer Alexandrite Melee Online

The collection features traceable alexandrite from Brazil in calibrated sizes that is sorted by grade.

Dhaval Raja
MajorsJun 24, 2026
CaratLane Names New Chief Sales Officer

Dhaval Raja has been appointed to the role.

Francesca Villa On the Road Collection Race On Brooch and Long Road Necklace
CollectionsJun 23, 2026
Francesca Villa Goes ‘On the Road’

The capsule collection looks to vintage trunk pins that echo the spirit of speed, freedom, and the mythology of the American road trip.

A group of Paraiba tourmalines, two of which are possibly from Ethiopia
SourcingJun 23, 2026
New Paraíba Tourmaline Source Reportedly Discovered in Ethiopia

SSEF issued a notice about the potential new source of the sought-after gemstone, citing “credible reports” from trade sources.

Etsy Shop Other Jeffs campaign on a truck
MajorsJun 23, 2026
Etsy Says ‘Shop Other Jeffs’ This Prime Day

As Amazon Prime Day kicks off, Etsy is encouraging shoppers to support small businesses.

Cole Winward
Events & AwardsJun 23, 2026
AGA Announces 2026 Scholarship Winner

Cole Winward is the recipient of 2026 AGA Gemological Scholarship.

NeverNot Feel The Rhythm Boombox Pendant
EditorsJun 22, 2026
15 Pieces of Jewelry That Brought Us Joy in Vegas

Whether they evoked nostalgia, wonder, or laughter, these jewels put a smile on our faces.

Picture from press conference in Basel for new trade show, Basilia
Events & AwardsJun 22, 2026
Plans Announced for New Trade Show in Basel

Scheduled for April 2027, Basilia will be the first watch and jewelry trade show held in Basel since the collapse of Baselworld in 2020.

Gem Awards 2027 Logo
Events & AwardsJun 22, 2026
Gem Awards Opens 2027 Nomination Period

Submissions for the milestone 25th annual Gem Awards will be accepted across three categories from now through July 31.

×

This site uses cookies to give you the best online experience. By continuing to use & browse this site, we assume you agree to our Privacy Policy