The Watches of Squid Game - How Can You Wear What the Characters Wore?
Squid Game is taking the world by storm. The nine-episode Netflix series has hit No. 1 in 90 of the streaming service’s markets around the world. It is on pace to be the most watched series in Netflix history. The show follows Seong Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae) a kind-hearted but broke and degenerate gambler who is offered the opportunity to play in the Squid Game, 6 different children’s games, for the the opportunity to win 46 billion won (over $38 million USD). The one big caveat is that these children’s games are deadly, and the players’ chance of survival is slim. Besides being wildly entertaining, the show takes a critical look at South Korea’s class system, somewhat similar to how the Oscar-winning film Parasite did in 2019.
It is interesting to know that watches feature somewhat prominently in Squid Game. While the players are not seen wearing watches during the games, they are seen wearing watches while going about their lives while not at the games. The identification of the watches was more difficult than normal, as some of the watches were small brands, but I think we have a good idea of the watches many of character wore. I will go through some of them without giving away too many spoilers.
What watch did the Front Man wear?
The Front Man was one of the most enigmatic characters throughout Squid Game. Throughout the show he appears to be the leader of the mysterious Squid Game Organization. He has a lavish apartment to reside in and has a mask different than all of the other “employees.” So what did the Front Man wear on his wrist? A shot of his wrist clearly shows he wore a Casio ElectroLuminescence Ref. A168.
What watch did Ali wear?
Ali Abdul, played by Anupam Tripathi, is a Pakistani immigrant who joins the Squid Games because he needs cash when his boss at the factory he works at fails to pay his wages. Ali is one of the most pure-hearted characters in the show. He too can be seen wearing a watch during the second episode. Ali is seen wearing what I believe is also a Casio. This time a Casio F-91W Alarm Chronograph. I believe this based on the notched bracelet seen in the photo below as well as the silver metal pusher on the right side of the case.
What watch did Sae-byeok wear?
Kang Sae-byeok (Hoyeon Jung) is a North Korean defector who fled to South Korea with her younger brother, leaving behind their mother. Sae-byeok wants to win the Squid Games in order to provide a better life for her family and to help get her mother out of North Korea. Sae-byeok is only seen wearing a watch once, while waiting to be picked up for the Squid Game. The identification of this watch was incredibly difficult because the watch is so simple and has no branding on it. After some intense googling, mixed with reverse image searching, I am confident in say that I got the correct watch. Sae-byeok is wearing a watch from TID Watches, a small Stockholm-based microbrand. The variation she is wearing is the one seen below, with a white dial, black case and blue nylon NATO strap. You can pick one up here (TID also has many other different styles and models of this watch).
What watch did Gi-hun wear?
By far the the most difficult watch identification to make was the piece worn by Seong Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae). No matter how much Travis and I looked we ran into issues. After taking multiple screenshots, enhancing them, and spending hours googling and searching for the right timepiece, we think we have an answer. Unfortunately, the answer might not be what you want to hear. We think that the watch worn by Gi-hun is the one watch that was an unbranded prop (or at least something bought on Alibaba) that was then stamped with ELROY, a company that made old pocket-watches.
Though not much is known about Elroy, it seems to have been, at least at some point, part of Huguenin, which has been creating pocket-watches in Switzerland, and other products since 1868.
Photo courtesy of deal4us19 on eBay
If I am wrong about Gi-hun’s watch (or if you can identify it) I’d love to hear from you. Cho Sang-woo (Park Hae-soo) can also be seen wearing a watch in the show, but we never get a close enough shot for identification. Interestingly, Undone Watches created a Squid Game inspired watch that you can also purchase (for $456!).
