A North Korean-made digital watch has recently become popular in North Hamgyong Province, Daily NK has learned.
Speaking on condition of anonymity, a source in the province told Daily NK on Tuesday that a locally-made digital watch “with a thin band and rectangular watch face” has recently grown “very popular” in the city of Chongjin, adding that the watch “is particularly popular among young people.”
According to the source, the watch’s popularity started in Pyongyang last month and spread to other cities nationwide. It is receiving a warm public reception thanks to the sophisticated beauty of its light, sleek design and reasonable price tag.
In fact, digital watches in Chongjin’s markets go for anywhere between RMB 10 to RMB 300 (USD 1.37 to 41) depending on their functions.
Most of all, people prefer models that are not too cheap but not too expensive — in the RMB 20 to 50 (USD 2.74 – 6.86) range.
“The electronic watches that are popular lately are relatively cheap, so people can buy them,” the source said. “Before COVID-19, watches of titanium or jade that cost over RMB 300 were trendy, but people who were struggling could only dream of wearing them. They couldn’t buy them because they were too expensive.”
“Young people wear digital watches to look cool rather than tell the time,” the source said. “They are even more popular now because people want to wear cool watches in summer, when they wear short sleeves.”
The source said the popularity of digital watches is on the rise as they are relatively cheap and mesh with the consumer psychology of young people, who are sensitive to fashion and trends.
Women’s watches hard-to-find
Meanwhile, the source said finding women’s wristwatches has become difficult in markets in North Hamgyong Province, including Chongjin.
“Since COVID-19, there has been almost no demand for women’s watches, so watch sellers don’t carry them. Which means even if you want to buy one, you can’t because there aren’t any,” the source said.
About the singularly low demand for women’s watches, the source said: “Even as trends change over time, the tendency of women to prioritize their husbands or children over adorning themselves remains the same.”
Translated by David Black. Edited by Robert Lauler.
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