The Ludens X watch is the Kojima Productions collaboration I did not expect, and after going through the spec sheet and a few forum threads, I think it earns its price more than most anniversary merchandise does. Anicorn built this piece around the Ludens EVA suit instead of slapping a logo on a stock case, and that shows the moment you see the cuff and dial together. This is a watch for people who already love Kojima’s work, not a mainstream entry point.
Table of contents
- What comes inside the Ludens X watch set
- Packaging and presentation details worth noting
- How the movement and case actually perform
- Build quality and materials on the wrist
- Is the Ludens X worth it compared to Space Ludens
- What collectors are saying on Reddit
- Our take
- Frequently asked questions
Quick verdict: the Ludens X delivers real watchmaking, sapphire front and back plus a modified automatic movement, wrapped in thoughtful Kojima Productions design rather than a printed dial. It costs the same as the 2022 Space Ludens without a NASA-style story to lean on, but the two-strap system makes the $940 price easier to justify.
Technical specifications
| Movement | Modified NH35-ATD automatic, 21,600bph, 24 jewels |
| Power reserve | Approximately 42 hours fully wound |
| Case | 316L stainless steel, 39mm x 39mm x 12.7mm |
| Glass | Sapphire crystal, front and exhibition caseback |
| Water resistance | 50 meters (5ATM) |
| Straps included | Stainless steel bracelet and carbon fiber pattern leather strap |
| Lume | Super-LumiNova BGW9 on sunray-finished hands |
| SKU / sizes | ANCKJLX-M and ANCKJLX-L |
Pros and cons
- Pro: two full strap options in one box, so it wears as a tool watch or a dress piece
- Pro: genuine sapphire front and back, not just a mineral crystal upgrade
- Pro: the EVA suit design language reads as a coherent object, not a slapped-on logo
- Con: $940 is a real ask for a modified NH35 movement rather than an in-house caliber
- Con: limited production means resale prices could climb fast once it sells through
What comes inside the Ludens X watch set
Every Ludens X order ships as a full set, not a single watch, and that is worth underlining first. You get the watch head, a stainless steel bracelet, a carbon fiber pattern leather strap, and a numbered metal card referencing the Ludens character, echoing how the studio packaged the hardware bundled with the Death Stranding 2 collector’s edition.
Two straps in one box matters for anyone who has owned a single-strap limited watch and wanted a second option. The steel bracelet reads as everyday wear, the leather leans dressier, and switching between them takes under a minute with quick-release pins.
Packaging and presentation details worth noting
The presentation box borrows visual cues from the Ludens EVA suit rather than a generic branded case, down to the lid paneling. Anicorn even shot the unboxing photography with gloved hands, a small detail that signals they wanted the reveal to feel like handling actual space gear.
Inside, the numbered card sits in its own recessed slot, similar in spirit to the printed ephemera I found in the Ghost in the Shell PREMICO watch review earlier this year. It is minor on paper, but numbered cards matter more for resale value than buyers expect.
How the movement and case actually perform
Underneath the design sits a modified NH35-ATD movement, a Seiko-derived automatic running at 21,600 beats per hour with 24 jewels. That is a dependable, serviceable caliber rather than an exotic in-house movement, the right call at this price since parts and servicing stay accessible for years.
Power reserve lands around 42 hours fully wound, enough to survive a weekend off the wrist. Pieces like the TAG Heuer Monza Flyback Chronograph use in-house calibers at a dramatically higher price, so judging the Ludens X against that tier misses the point.
Build quality and materials on the wrist
The 39mm case in 316L stainless steel sits comfortably under most cuffs, and at 12.7mm thick it does not feel bulky despite the exhibition caseback. Sapphire crystal front and back is the detail that separates this from cheaper crossover watches, since scratch resistance matters once a piece becomes a shelf item.
Fifty meters of water resistance keeps expectations realistic for rain and hand washing, not diving, an honest number rather than an inflated one. The sunray-brushed hands with BGW9 lume read clearly in low light, a touch shared with the Seiko x One Piece Luffy Gear 5 watch.
Is the Ludens X worth it compared to Space Ludens
Anicorn’s first Kojima collaboration, the 2022 Space Ludens, sold for around $940 too and used a Miyota 8215 movement limited to 500 pieces with NASA branding worked into the design. The Ludens X asks the same money for a marginally better movement and two straps instead of one, making it the more complete package.
Where Space Ludens leaned on space-agency prestige, the Ludens X leans entirely on Kojima Productions’ own identity, and I actually prefer that pitch. It feels less like borrowed credibility and more like the studio trusting its own design language.
What collectors are saying on Reddit
A thread on r/DeathStranding tracking the Ludens X launch picked up steady engagement within its first weeks, and the tone leaned toward respect for the design rather than skepticism about price. I would rather point you to the real discussion than paraphrase it, so read it yourself here: the original Ludens X announcement thread.
What stands out across collector spaces is how often people compare this release to Space Ludens specifically, rather than watches outside the Kojima ecosystem. That tells me the die-hard audience treats these as a numbered series worth tracking.
Our take
If you already own Space Ludens, the Ludens X is worth adding for the second strap and sapphire caseback alone, and if you don’t, this is a stronger starting point than the original ever was. It suits a specific kind of collector: someone who wants Kojima’s design fingerprints on their wrist, not just a logo on a dial. It sits comfortably next to the Seiko and Ghost in the Shell watches mentioned above, and it’s available through Anicorn and the Kojima Productions store for international buyers. Let me know in the comments which strap you’d wear day to day.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Ludens X watch a real automatic watch or just a fashion piece?
Yes, it uses a modified NH35-ATD automatic movement with 24 jewels and roughly 42 hours of power reserve, so it functions as a genuine mechanical watch rather than a quartz novelty.
How much does the Kojima Productions Ludens X watch set cost?
Anicorn prices the Ludens X watch set at $940, which includes the watch head, a steel bracelet, a carbon fiber pattern leather strap, and a numbered metal card.
Is the Ludens X watch a limited edition?
Yes, Anicorn produced it as a limited run tied to Kojima Productions’ tenth anniversary, following the same limited approach used for the 2022 Space Ludens.
What is the difference between Space Ludens and the Ludens X watch?
Space Ludens used a Miyota 8215 movement and NASA-inspired branding, while the Ludens X uses a modified NH35-ATD movement, adds a second strap, and replaces the space agency theme with Kojima Productions’ own Ludens EVA suit design.
Is the Ludens X watch water resistant?
It carries 50 meters of water resistance, which covers rain, splashes, and hand washing but is not rated for swimming or diving.
Where can I buy the Kojima Productions x Anicorn Ludens X watch?
The set is sold directly through Anicorn’s official store, and the Kojima Productions store also lists the same watch for international buyers.
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