Patek and Rolex watches are elusive, but if you want to see your AD do some acrobatics, ask him to find you a serious video game collab from the past ten years. Yes, I’m exaggerating for effect, but not that much. Watch enthusiasts and gamers have a lot in common. We’re both nerdy, inclined to invest heavily in our hobbies, and we each have standard-bearing icons that’ve shaped the landscape of each industry—Submariner, meet Mario. So then, why are gamer watches so scarce?
First, they’re often highly limited. One of my favorites is the roleplay-ready Laco RAD-AUX, pre-distressed and pre-patinated, out from Fallout’s post-apocalyptic world. Only 143 were made though, so good luck finding one. Relatedly, buyers see these watches as treasured collectables rather than investments; Brew’s 8-Bit Chronograph, a charismatic homage to gaming’s dawn and originally $395, was $2,000 last time I caught a sighting on eBay.
Finally, video game watches often get the niche treatment, with mostly small or independent brands taking them on. Japanese sundries maker SuperGroupies produces fun, imaginative game-themed timepieces in quick, one-and-done runs, while BOLDR’s Pokémon watches are Asia-exclusive.
So today, I’m your Tips & Tricks magazine for gamer watches. The timepieces below are either easy to find or at least more attainable than the prior examples. In a manner of speaking, they’re your cheat codes.
Photo via Atari
Atari 2600 My Play Watch
Straight from a founding father of gaming, the Atari 2600 Play Watch offers actual playable games. It flaunts modern-day smartwatch features sans Bluetooth and WiFi, making it more sophisticated than a ’90s Tiger Electronics Gamewatch, but equally enjoyable and relatively off-grid. The silhouette is similar to many of today’s digital wearables, but the Casio-esque details add an analog quality. With the pops of color, it almost looks like the ‘80s Nelsonic Pac-Man Watch. It would be wrong to play Pong on anything too contemporary-looking.
Photo via Casio
Casio Pac-Man ABL100WE-1B
Speaking of Casio and Pac-Man, the former partnered with the latter to serve up the limited edition ABL100WEPC-1B to commemorate Pac-Man’s 45th anniversary in 2025. Casio makes a lot of watches that are perfect for the nostalgic gamer. I’ve lovingly referred to the A158WA-1 as resembling a repurposed Game Boy, and truly, all three of the ABL100WE watches offer an entertaining sense of tech retrospection. The ABL100WE-1B gets the spotlight here because the Pac-Man team-up is a match made in level 256. This Bluetooth-enabled timepiece brandishes the game’s maze motif in classy black monochrome, with restrained pops of yellow and red via the iconic Pac-Men and 8-bit cherries.
Photo via Nixoid
Nixoid TimeRed
Nixoid is a brand for gamers to watch in general. Just look at the lively, ambient neons against the multi-layered dials filled with dark, atmospheric aisles. These watches scream arcade aesthetic. The TimeRed caught my eye because the computer chip dial lit up with emergency red makes it look important and official. It reminds me of the classic Metroid game. With a 38-millimeter milled aluminium case, this watch is beautifully sized and comfortably lightweight.
Photo via Timex
Q Timex LCA x Fortnite
The beauty of the Fortnite Q Timex LCA is its simplicity. Timex merely adds a Fortnite victory crown motif to the LCA’s much-adored liquid analog subdial. This watch may not boost your XP, but the yellow version’s translucent sunburst composition certainly embodies energy and power. Go for the black colorway for something more subtle. Even for non-Fortnite fans, I think the crown icon elevates the look. It’s slightly geeky and slightly classy, adding a subtle chessboard quality, which is perfectly aligned with the LCA’s ‘80s sensibilities.
Photo via Seiko
Seiko Street Fighter V Limited Editions
Choose your fighter from this series of six. In 2020, the Street Fighter franchise and Seiko went into Team Battle Mode to celebrate Street Fighter V (appropriately, within the Seiko 5 line of robust, automatic sportwatches). Each variant creatively channels a specific character—Ryu’s likeness isn’t just slapped onto a standard dial as if these were children’s lunchboxes. One Easter egg I love? Each model features the joystick combination of its character’s special move, gold-stamped over the exhibited 4R36 caliber.
The Ryu watch, in his signature red and white, has a battle-scarred bezel, while the Chun-Li model is elegant yet sharp, her collar ornament serving as the 12 o’clock marker. The Guile is a solid military-themed watch, with its camo dial, Air Force patch, and authoritative matte, black case. There’s also the slick and handsome Ken variant, the electric-green Blanka, and the muscular Zangief.
Photo via Romain Jerome
Romain Jerome Space Invaders
This Space Invaders timepiece is downright archeological. It’s a relic of the dormant Romain Jerome brand, known for using artifactual materials from historical sites and objects. The case is built with spare Apollo 11 parts, and the dial is masterfully crafted to bring pixels into the third dimension. Despite being limited to a scant 78 examples, I often see at least two of these floating around the secondary market since many collectors aren’t interested in departed brands. Still, it’s a truly luxurious GPHG-nominated watch that almost no one else owns.
Photo by Nubeo
Nubeo Limited Edition Space Invaders Watch
Love Space Invaders but would rather save that $6,000? Exploration-themed watch brand Nubeo makes some imaginative Space Invaders timepieces (as well as some charming Atari collaborations) at a lower price point. Go for either the automatic Cassini variations or the barrel-shaped Magellan chronographs. Both combine the multi-floor apparatus look of G-Shocks with lively Swatch-like color variations. And like the Romain Jerome, these detailed dials attempt to answer the question, “what would pixels look like in our 3D world?”
Photo via Chrono24
“Pre-Bond” Omega Seamaster
Here’s a plot twist. Categorically, the GoldenEye Seamaster is Reference 2541.80, which I fell in love with as a child playing the N64 shooter game based on the Bond film. I’ve sung that icon’s praises many times already, though. So today, I’d like to bring Reference 396.1052 to your attention. With its black palette and overall simplicity, it looks more like the pixelated Seamaster in the game. Moreover, its Pre-Bond status makes it a conversation piece. That sub-$1000 price point doesn’t hurt either.
Photo via Casio
G-Shock GA-2100RGB-1A
Inspired by e-sports digital-age culture, the Gamer’s RGB range imbues some tried-and-true G-Shock silhouettes with an arcade air. The GA-2100RGB-1A is the most minimalist and wearable of the four watches; it looks like a quintessential CasiOak with a lively cybertech remix. Everything you expect from a faithful G-Shock is included, from the world timer to the bulletproof construction. Only now, you get the look of an LED light strip thanks to the rainbow vapor deposition—no coin deposit necessary.
Photo via Anicorn
Anicorn x Sega Watches
This Anicorn collaboration celebrates Sega as a cultural touchstone. Sega was always more punk than Nintendo. Consider Sonic’s edgy expression and slang-imbued speech compared to Mario’s smiling, optimistic visage, or the fact that Sega preserved the controversial violence in Mortal Kombat while blood splatters were turned into sweat in the SNES iteration. The watches in this line look like Sega consoles transformed, adorned with chic cyberpunk armor. These sturdy Seiko-powered automatics are straight out of The Matrix.
Photo via 1stDibs
Panerai Radiomir
If you’re a Grand Theft Auto fan, you might know why the Panerai Radiomir is included. In GTA, you can buy and sell watches, many of which look like bootleg versions of real-life models (looking at you, “Crowex”). However, GTA V‘s “Radio Watch” is a dead ringer for the Radiomir. Plus, if you enjoy open-world action games, there’s a chance you also enjoy bold, iconic, adventure-ready timepieces. Gaming aside, Panerai’s inaugural watch was built for the Italian Navy, so it’s objectively well-made and actually quite elegant for a large timekeeper. Panerai even teamed up with gamer lifestyle brand Razer to make the limited edition PAM01353 inspired by Razer’s Chroma Effect glow.
Photo via Hamilton
Hamilton Elvis80 Year of the Dragon
I included this watch because I can’t think of a mythical creature more prevalent in video games than the dragon. There’s the Skyrim world, the Mortal Kombat logo, the revolutionary Don Bluth-animated Dragon’s Lair, and the reptilian Bowser, who looked more like a dragon during his Koopa days. Stunningly crafted, this Hamilton Elvis80 brandishes a dragon head carved into the dial, giving you a peek into the 80-hour automatic. Meanwhile, the gold triangular case reminds me of the Triforce, the ultimate power source in Nintendo’s iconic Zelda universe.
Photo via Tag Heuer
Tag Heuer Formula 1 x Mario Kart Chronograph
Many disagree, but I don’t think the Tag Heuer Mario Kart Watch (CAZ201E.FC6517) is that niche. After all, everyone’s favorite Brooklyn-Italian plumber is a global icon. We also need more fun, youthful timepieces that aren’t just fashion watches. The game iconography thoughtfully added to the watch (such as stars, checkerboards, and Mario himself) brings an all-around whimsy—a toy store aesthetic, if you will.
Besides, the Domino’s Pizza Rolex sells for $15,000. This delightful Mario-branded Formula 1 watch, for around $3,000, is a premium chronograph from a Swiss watchmaker synonymous with motorsports. That’s arguably more reasonable. Now its tourbillon-powered cousin, the CAZ5080.FC6517, is definitely niche. If you love haute horlogerie as much as you love Mario Kart though, you might be willing to drop five digits on that undeniable beauty.
Photo via eBay
Seiko Alba Mario Series
Even the most expensive models from Seiko Alba’s Mario-themed range are a fraction of the Tag Heuer. Going in a more retro visual direction, they’re still every bit as endearing. The Famicom subline features vintage-style square cases, which makes the 8-bit Mario on each dial look right at home. The ACCK711, with its gold-embossed Mario hopping over NES controller buttons, particularly impressed me. Otherwise, you can go for the Big Size subline, which offers automatic movements and a gold-plated option.
