Time+Tide’s October 20, 2017 list of eleven 1980s watches is a nostalgia roundup built around the look that Stranger Things draws on. It is not a costume guide. Its picks range from plastic quartz watches and calculator novelties to technically ambitious Seikos and luxury Swiss models, so “classic” here means historically notable, not cheap or easy to buy today. Casio’s official collaboration page places the show in 1986. The Casio A120WEST-1A is a later licensed design inspired by the series, and it is not one of the eleven original picks.
What the list covers and what it does not
The list comes from a single article, so its selection, descriptions and dates are the author’s choices. Each entry below gives the year the article assigns to the model. Where a detail has been checked against a manufacturer’s own heritage page, the entry names that source. Where it has not, the entry says so.
- It is a selection of historically interesting watches, not a record of what any character wears on screen.
- Several entries are discontinued models that now exist mainly on the secondhand market.
- Prices at the time of the article, and current prices, are not stated in the sources and are not given here.
The eleven watches
1. Swatch Watch (1983)
The article describes this plastic quartz watch as colorful, relatively inexpensive, and designed to make watches playful and collectible. Hodinkee’s retrospective on the 1980s gives a similar description. It is the most accessible entry on the list by design, which is why it makes a useful reference point for the rest.
2. Casio G-Shock DW-5000C (1983)
This is the original square digital G-Shock. The article presents it through the durability concept that defined the line. Hodinkee reports the original as 200-meter water resistant and capable of surviving a 10-meter drop. Those figures describe the 1983 original. A current model with a similar case shape may carry different ratings, so check the specification sheet of any model you intend to buy.
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- ICONIC VINTAGE DESIGN A true Casio classic, the A168WA-1 combines timeless retro styling with dependable digital functionality. Its polished stainless steel bracelet and signature square case create an iconic look that's perfect for everyday wear, business casual, or vintage-inspired fashion.
- BRIGHT ELECTRO-LUMINESCENT BACKLIGHT Unlike standard LED illumination, the A168 features Casio's Electro-Luminescent (EL) backlight, providing a bright, even blue-green glow across the entire display for outstanding nighttime visibility.
- PRACTICAL EVERYDAY FEATURES Stay on schedule with a 1/100-second stopwatch, daily alarm, hourly time signal, auto calendar, and selectable 12/24-hour time format. Designed for reliable everyday performance whether you're at work, school, or on the go.
- LIGHTWEIGHT COMFORT & LONG BATTERY LIFE Weighing just 50 grams with an adjustable stainless steel bracelet, the A168WA-1 is comfortable enough for all-day wear. Its dependable CR2016 battery provides approximately seven years of operation under normal use.
- DEPENDABLE CASIO QUALITY Built with Casio's legendary reliability, this watch features quartz accuracy of approximately ±30 seconds per month, water resistance for daily use, a durable chrome-plated resin case, and a stainless steel bracelet designed to withstand years of everyday wear.
3. Pulsar calculator watch, Ref. Y739-5019 (1980)
The article highlights this two-tone calculator watch as part of the calculator-watch aesthetic of the period. Pulsar and Casio are separate brands. Casio’s own history records a different calculator watch, the C-80, in 1980, so the two should not be treated as the same product line.
4. Nelsonic Pac-Man game watch (1982)
This toy-themed game watch is the article’s example of the handheld-game trend. The article reports more than 500,000 units sold and an estimated 30 million Pac-Man players in the US in 1982. It does not name the organisation that published either figure, so both should be read as the article’s own reporting rather than independently verified industry data.
Rank #2
- Micro Light, Hourly Time Signal, Auto Calendar
- 12/24 Hour Formats
- Dial Code: Digital
- Water Resistant
- Daily Alarm
5. LCD radio watch (1982–1985)
This is a category rather than a single model. The article names Sinclair, Comlink, Nelsonic, Gala, Advance, Quasatron and Casio as makers of LCD radio watches and links the category to on-screen appearances without giving a precise citation. Because the category spans several brands and designs, a listing that says “LCD radio watch” does not identify a specific model.
6. Seiko M516-4009 Voice Note (1983)
The article says a Seiko Voice Note appears in Ghostbusters. Seiko’s own heritage account confirms that in 1983 it launched a wristwatch with audio recording and playback, capable of recording a voice message of up to eight seconds. That eight-second limit is the most useful concrete detail for understanding what the watch could do.
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Rank #3
- 8-Digit Calculator; Constants for addition, subtraction, multiplication and division
- Water Resistant
- 1/100 second stopwatch; Measuring capacity: 23:59'59.99"; Measuring modes: Elapsed time, split time, 1st-2nd place times
- Auto Calendar (pre-programmed until the year 2079)
- Size of case/total weight; 42.0 x 33.0 x 7.0mm / 29g
7. Seiko Speedtimer chronograph 7A28-7000 (1983)
Time+Tide calls the 7A28 the world’s first analog quartz chronograph, associates the 7A28 family with the watch Ripley wears in Aliens, and credits Italian designer Giorgetto Giugiaro. Seiko’s official page confirms the first analog quartz chronograph launched in 1983 and was designed by Giugiaro. The same page says it measured elapsed time to 5/100th of a second and offered split time and a tachymeter.
8. Ebel Sport Classic Chronograph El Primero (1982)
The article describes the 1982 version as El Primero-powered and notes the line’s integrated bracelet and five-screw bezel. These model-specific details come from the article and were not checked against Ebel’s archive, so confirm them against a dealer or Ebel documentation before relying on them for a purchase or valuation.
Rank #4
- ICONIC RETRO STYLE WITH A MODERN TWIST The legendary Casio Vintage design paired with a sophisticated gold-tone digital display creates a distinctive look that blends classic 1980s style with modern everyday fashion. Perfect for casual, business, or streetwear.
- EVERYDAY DIGITAL ESSENTIALS Stay on schedule with practical features including a 1/100-second stopwatch, daily alarm, hourly time signal, auto calendar, LED backlight, and selectable 12/24-hour time display—everything you need in a reliable everyday digital watch.
- BUILT TO LAST Powered by a dependable quartz movement with an approximate 7-year battery life, the A158WEA-9 delivers reliable timekeeping and exceptional value with minimal maintenance required.
- LIGHTWEIGHT COMFORT Designed for all-day wear, the slim 45g construction and adjustable stainless steel bracelet provide a secure, comfortable fit for a wide range of wrist sizes. The classic fold-over clasp makes adjustments simple and secure.
- TRUSTED CASIO QUALITY Featuring a durable resin case, stainless steel bracelet, water resistance for daily use, bright LED illumination, and quartz accuracy of approximately ±30 seconds per month, this watch delivers the dependable performance Casio is known for.
9. Cartier Santos Galbée (1987)
The article links this model to Gordon Gekko, the character in Wall Street, and describes an 18-karat-gold example. The gold case is the article’s example, not a statement that every Santos Galbée was made in that metal.
10. Omega Constellation Manhattan (1982)
The article highlights the integrated bracelet, Roman numerals, bezel claws and the designer Carol Didisheim. Omega’s archive was not used to verify these points, so they are the article’s descriptions.
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- RETRO 1980s-INSPIRED ANALOG-DIGITAL DESIGN The Casio AQ-800E-7A reimagines the iconic AQ-450 design from the 1980s with a modern vintage aesthetic. A separate analog dial and LCD display combine classic watch styling with convenient digital functionality, while the grid-pattern dial, simple bar indexes, and angular case create a distinctive retro look.
- SLIM, LIGHTWEIGHT CASE WITH STAINLESS STEEL BAND Measuring 40.7 × 32.1 × 8.7 mm (L × W × H) and weighing 52 grams, the AQ-800E-7A has a slim profile designed for comfortable everyday wear. The case features a resin/chrome-plated construction and resin glass, while the stainless steel band with adjustable clasp fits approximately 150–205 mm wrists.
- DUAL TIME & 1/100-SECOND STOPWATCH Keep track of another time zone with the Dual Time function, while the 1/100-second stopwatch measures elapsed time with a capacity of up to 59 minutes, 59.99 seconds. These practical functions add versatility without taking away from the watch's clean vintage appearance.
- DAILY ALARM, HOURLY TIME SIGNAL & EVERYDAY CONVENIENCE Stay on schedule with a daily alarm and hourly time signal. The watch also features an auto-calendar, 12/24-hour format, and separate analog and digital time displays showing hour, minute, second, PM, month, date, and day.
- WATER RESISTANT & POWERED BY SR920W BATTERY Designed for everyday wear, the AQ-800E-7A features water resistance for routine situations such as rain and hand washing. A SR920W battery provides approximately 3 years of battery life, while quartz accuracy is approximately ±30 seconds per month.
11. Digits finger watch (1987)
The article describes this as a novelty ring watch. It also notes that Gucci’s interchangeable-bezel bangle watch narrowly missed inclusion in the list. The selection and descriptions are the author’s.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Casio’s documented 1980s milestones
Casio’s corporate history and heritage pages provide the most direct dates in the list, and they cover three separate products:
- C-80 calculator watch (1980). Casio’s first calculator watch, recorded in its corporate history.
- CD-40 Telememo 10 (1984). Casio’s corporate history says it stored 10 groups of 16 letters or numerals. Casio also states that it sold six million units in the five years after release, which corresponds to 1984–1989. That figure is Casio’s own and covers the CD-40 only.
- F-91W (1989). Casio’s heritage page dates its launch to 1989 and says it remains sold worldwide. The F-91W is not one of the eleven picks, but it is the simplest current-production watch that matches the 1980s digital look.
Buying a 1980s-style watch today
Three routes are realistic, and they differ in what you are actually buying.
| Option | Origin and status | What to check before buying |
|---|---|---|
| Casio F-91W | Launched 1989; Casio says it remains sold worldwide (Casio heritage page) | Match the model number exactly to the F-91W listing and confirm the seller’s region. Current price not stated in the sources. |
| Casio A120WEST-1A | Licensed Stranger Things collaboration with a 1980s-inspired design (Casio’s official collaboration page, which places the show in 1986) | Confirm the listing shows the A120WEST-1A model number. Availability varies by country, so check current stock in your region. |
| Vintage originals from the list | Produced between 1980 and 1987 according to the article; mostly secondhand today | Condition, provenance, reference number and whether the watch can still be serviced. Prices are not established by the sources. |
Checklist for a vintage original
- Match the reference number on the watch or box to the model in the list. Entries with a stated reference, such as the Seiko M516-4009 or the Pulsar Y739-5019, are the easiest to verify.
- For digital and calculator watches, test every button and the display, and ask whether the battery has been replaced.
- For chronographs, check that the pushers and tachymeter function, and ask whether the movement has been serviced.
- For the Cartier and Omega entries, ask for documentation of the case material and the reference before paying a premium.
- Do not assume a modern reissue carries the original’s specifications. Compare the spec sheet against the historical figures in this article.
Vintage and modern pieces can share a look without being the same model. Keep that distinction in mind when you compare listings.
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