Movies and TV shows are known to dictate fashion trends. In some cases, this connection flawlessly blends into pop culture history, for example how it’s impossible to think about Sarah Jessica Parker’s Carrie Bradshaw (of Sex and the City) without her Manolo Blahniks and Jimmy Choos. Of late, Korean dramas have done a similarly commendable job featuring luxury looks from high-jewellery pieces to elegant timepieces, with characters serving fashion goals to inspire viewers’ everyday outfits. And given that luxury watches have an innate ability to elevate everyday ensembles, horology enthusiasts can take notes on how these characters have upped their style game by putting on some of the most expensive watches in K-dramas.
The impeccable style of characters like Song Joong-ki‘s Vincenzo or Kim Ji-won’s Hong Hae-in in Queen of Tears instantly catches the eye. The jewellery pieces and other fashionable items on shows like Queen of Tears, King the Land, and more have been a standout, and viewers have been quick to spot all the luxury brands featured in them. From crystal-embedded timepieces to chronographs that offer the utmost precision in horology, let’s take a look at some of the most expensive luxury watches ever featured in popular K-dramas.
Most expensive watches featured in K-dramas
Piaget Polo Date watch
Price: HKD 409,000 (MYR 246,843)
Spotted in the K-drama: Thirty-Nine
Where to watch the show: Netflix
In the 2022 drama Thirty-Nine, Son Ye-jin played the role of Cha Mi-jo, a physician and director of Gangnam Dermatology Clinic. As someone closely associated with the beauty industry, the character’s fashion picks included elegant ensembles in hues of champagne and pastels. To pair with her outfits that included blazers and tweed jackets, Son Ye-jin’s Mi-joo donned beautiful timepieces from brands like Piaget. Among the list of the most expensive watches to have featured in K-dramas so far, the Piaget Polo Date watch seen on Ye-jin’s wrist is a classy choice. The luxury timepiece, which is priced at HKD 409,000 (MYR 246,843), is set in an 18k gold case with 60 brilliant-cut diamonds dazzling on its bezel. A perfect addition to complete a formal ensemble, this timepiece worked as a sophisticated choice for Mi-jo’s mature persona and is a worthy piece to add to your collection.
Hublot Unico King Gold watch
Price: HKD 337,900 (MYR 203,932)
Spotted in the K-drama: Vincenzo
Where to watch the show: Netflix
As a Korean-Italian lawyer with connections to the mafia, Song Joong-ki was seen wearing perfectly tailored three-piece suits in Vincenzo. Befitting the character and his dapper looks, the actor also donned several luxury timepieces, of one stands out due to its sleek look: The Hublot Unico King Gold watch. With its techno-industrial design, the self-winding chronograph perfectly complements the character of Vincenzo, especially his cut-throat antics. In terms of design elements, the watch also provides a bold look with its bezel bolts and rubber-wrapped crown, making it a noticeable accessory for any outfit. It is one of the most expensive watches featured on the show, priced at HKD 337,900 (MYR 203,932). If you want to channel an all-business, no-nonsense vibe like Vincenzo Cassano, this is your pick.
Ballon Bleu de Cartier watch
Price: HKD 122,000 (MYR 73,630)
Spotted in the K-drama: Queen of Tears
Where to watch the show: Netflix
Kim Ji-won’s character Hong Hae-in defined opulence and elegance with her Chanel and Valentino ensembles in Queen of Tears. Further adding a touch of luxury to these exquisite looks that accelerated her “chaebol heiress” vibe were accessories, including not only jewellery pieces, but also watches. Among the timepieces featured on the show, the Ballon Bleu de Cartier watch was a highlight, and given its price of HKD 261,000 (MYR 157,520), it also happens to be one of the most expensive watches seen in K-dramas. Featuring a gorgeous sunray dial with 21 brilliant cut diamonds and a blue alligator strap, the watch channels minimalism in a sophisticated manner. A suitable extension of Hae-in’s personality, the timepiece exudes power with its understated luxury, making it an apt sartorial choice.
Piaget Extremely Lady watch
Price: EUR 67,500 (Approx. MYR 339,790)
Spotted in the K-drama: It’s Okay to Not Be Okay
Where to watch the show: Netflix
A K-drama character who will remain memorable for their flawless style is Seo Ye-ji’s Ko Moon-young in It’s Okay to Not Be Okay. With outfits from fashion houses such as Alexander McQueen, Dolce & Gabbana, and Miu Miu among others, the wardrobe picks of Moon-young defined chic modernity, making her dramatic character an absolute standout. Adding glamour to her luxurious looks was also the delicately crafted Extremely Lady bracelet watch by Piaget. The watch features a silver-plated oval dial along with a dazzling gem setting on its bezel. The white gold and diamonds radiate with a shine that exudes opulence, making this timepiece a worthy item in Moon-young’s style diary.
Piaget Polo watch
Price: HKD 157,000 (MYR 94,753)
Spotted in the K-drama: King the Land
Where to watch the show: Netflix
The heir to a luxury hotel conglomerate, Lee Junho’s Gu Won in King the Land makes a dramatic entrance by skydiving his way to work. While he doesn’t work in finance, Gu Won does feel like a version of TikTok’s “trust fund, 6’5, blue-eyes” anthem in many ways. Wearing crisp suits and chic formal wear all through the show, there is special attention given to the character’s love for horology, as one scene captures him flaunting his watch collection consisting of a range of Piaget watches. Since Lee Junho is also the brand’s first Korean global ambassador, he gets to flaunt some of these timepieces in the show.
The Piaget Polo chronograph watch, which takes centre stage in one of the scenes, makes a strong luxury statement. Displaying casual elegance, this self-winding chronograph with its blue horizontal guilloché dial pairs perfectly with any formal outfit. The 42 mm-diameter steel case also provides a strong masculine look. Priced at HKD 157,000 (MYR 94,753), it is one of the most expensive watches to have featured in a K-drama.
Chopard Alpine Eagle watch
Price: HKD 114,000 (MYR 68,802)
Spotted in the K-drama: Crash Landing on You
Where to watch the show: Netflix
Chopard watches played a special role in Crash Landing on You given that both leads, Hyun Bin and Son Ye-jin were seen sporting timepieces from the brand. In fact, in one of the most memorable scenes of the drama, Ye-jin’s South Korean heiress Yoon Se-ri tries to pawn her Chopard Happy Sport watch (priced at HKD 55,000 approx. MYR 33,194)) to a local broker in North Korea. Another Chopard timepiece that is also key to the storyline of the show is the Alpine Eagle model which Se-ri buys as a gift for Hyun Bin’s Captain Ri Jeong-hyeok.
The Alpine range was inspired by, and captures the majestic nature of the Alps, presenting as a chunky timepiece that exudes power. With its metallic case and a self-winding mechanical movement, tt straddles the balance between sporty and everyday wear. Priced at HKD 114,000 (MYR 68,802), the star timepiece of Crash Landing on You is among the most expensive watches that have appeared in K-dramas.
(Main and featured images: IMDb)
This article first appeared on Prestige Online Hong Kong
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
– What watch is used in Vincenzo?
Song Joong-ki starrer Vincenzo featured the actor wearing several luxury watches from brands like Hublot and Breitling.
– Which kdrama has the best fashion?
Queen of Tears and My Demon, both of which were released earlier this year garnered attention for the fashionable styles of their characters.
– What brand is the watch on Crash Landing on You?
The luxury watches featured in the hit Korean series Crash Landing on You were from Chopard, including popular models like the Alpine Eagle and Happy Sport.
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Written by
Surabhi Redkar is a pop culture enthusiast with a keen interest in celebrity fashion and beauty trends. A post graduate in multimedia journalism from Birmingham City University, she has worked with several Indian and international media organisations such as Pinkvilla and DesiBlitz covering topics spanning fashion, beauty, and travel. When not binge-watching Netflix series and movies, she's exploring quiet bookstores and buying new coffee equipment. Scrolling through social media for celebrity gossip and new travel destinations is her favourite way to spend the weekend.
