North Korea remains one of the most secretive and isolated countries in the world. Yet even in a place where commerce is tightly controlled, watches have long held cultural, political, and historical significance. For the global watch enthusiast, the best watches to buy in North Korea are not about fashion — but about rarity, legacy, and ideological symbolism.
This guide uncovers the most notable North Korean timepieces, as well as how foreign collectors legally access them.
Can You Buy Watches in North Korea?
Yes — but with major limitations. Here’s what you should know:
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Watches are produced and sold domestically through state-run factories
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Most models are meant for citizens or government gifts, not export
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International sales happen through defector communities, auctions, or third-party sellers abroad
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Visiting tourists rarely have direct access, but diplomatic or educational exchanges occasionally lead to access
Despite the hurdles, a small group of collectors, historians, and journalists track down North Korean watches with passion.
1. Best Known North Korean Watch Brand: Pugang
🕰️ Pugang Watch Company
Founded in the 1990s, Pugang is the most visible state-owned watchmaker in North Korea.
They produce:
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Basic analog watches for everyday citizens
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Commemorative models for state events (e.g., anniversaries, party congresses)
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Special editions honoring Kim Il-sung or Kim Jong-il
These are extremely rare outside the country and are considered historical collector items.
Alt text for image: Pugang Watch – iconic North Korean brand with nationalist design elements
2. Commemorative Watches: Ideology on the Wrist
📅 Party Congress Watches
Made for elite officials and gifted during Workers’ Party anniversaries. Typically feature:
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The red Workers’ Party emblem
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Years like 1945, 1994, or 2011 (marking leadership milestones)
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Propaganda-style fonts and minimal complications
🪖 Military Watches
Designed for Korean People’s Army officers. Known for durability and simple dials, often featuring:
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National flag
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Branch of service (air, land, navy)
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Tactical simplicity and anti-glare finishing
🎁 Gift Watches
Often awarded to workers or soldiers for loyalty. Not for sale in local stores. Some were found in defectors’ belongings or state gifts received by foreign dignitaries.
3. How Foreign Collectors Access North Korean Watches
Though you can’t shop online directly from Pyongyang, some options exist:
🌐 eBay and Etsy (Collector Submarkets)
Rare listings for Pugang watches, often through sellers based in:
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South Korea
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Japan
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Germany
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Russia
📦 Defector Flea Markets (South Korea)
In places like Seoul’s Gwangjang Market, defectors occasionally sell inherited items — including North Korean watches.
📕 Auctions and Museum Sales
Occasionally, state gift collections or estate sales will include timepieces given to foreign diplomats during the Cold War.
4. What Makes North Korean Watches Unique?
Unlike commercial watches elsewhere, these timepieces:
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Tell a story of politics, ideology, and secrecy
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Often feature rare fonts, imagery, or slogans
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Have very limited production runs — sometimes fewer than 100 pieces
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Are manually wound, with no modern smart or quartz innovation
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Are considered conversation pieces, not daily wearables
Focus keyphrase usage: If you’re looking for the best watches to buy in North Korea, you’re really buying a slice of history.
5. North Korean Watches as Diplomatic Gifts
Historically, North Korea gave watches to visiting allies from:
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Cuba
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Vietnam
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Syria
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Libya
These watches were usually:
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Gold-plated analog models
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Featuring the Kim family or Juche slogans
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Presented in velvet boxes with Korean inscriptions
6. What Do North Koreans Actually Wear?
Among citizens, fashion trends are minimal. The majority of people:
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Wear basic state-issued analog watches
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Use watches more for symbolic or social alignment than tech
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Rarely wear Western brands unless smuggled from China
Chinese brands like Tian Wang, Seagull, and Burei sometimes show up in black markets or with elite families.
7. Smartwatches in North Korea?
Very rare and typically illegal for citizens. Any smartwatch found in-country is:
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A gift from foreign contacts
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Smuggled through the China border
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Heavily monitored if GPS or SIM-enabled
Foreign journalists or aid workers may wear Apple or Huawei watches, but locals do not.
8. Are North Korean Watches Valuable?
Yes — to the right buyer. Their value depends on:
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Rarity of the model (e.g., issued only for top generals)
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Condition (mint with original box increases worth)
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Provenance (proof of origin, gifting occasion)
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Political symbolism (anything linked to Kim Il-sung is highly valuable)
Some models have sold for $500–$2,000+ in underground collector auctions.
9. Watch Collectors Who Specialize in North Korean Timepieces
Communities are small but passionate. You can find them:
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On Reddit r/WatchHorology
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In Facebook groups for Cold War memorabilia collectors
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On forums like WatchUSeek or MilitaryWatchResource
Many have written blogs and YouTube reviews specifically about their finds.
Final Thoughts: Which Watch Should You Buy in North Korea?
In truth, you won’t walk into Pyongyang and pick up a smartwatch. But if you’re a collector, historian, or global watch enthusiast, the best watches to buy in North Korea are:
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Rare, state-issued analogs
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Commemorative editions honoring ideological milestones
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Gift models once given to loyal citizens or allies
These watches aren’t about tech — they’re about time, memory, and mystery. Owning one is like owning a Cold War artifact for your wrist.
