One of the more surreal aspects of Marvel's current hit series WandaVision (aside from pretty much the entire rest of the show) is its periodic in-universe commercials that serve to help drive home its classic sitcom vibe. Well, it seems at least one of them was more than just a one-off gag.
That's right, the Strücker watch, featured in one such WandaVision ad, is actually available for purchase here in the real world. Hot Topic just so happens to offer a replica of the watch seen in the oddly unnerving retro-style commercial. It's admittedly not a 100% perfect re-creation, but it's got it where it counts. Namely, the cursive "Strücker" logo remains emblazoned on the watch face as well as the suspicious text reading "Hydra 1000" alongside the sinister Hydra logo.
The Strücker watch is just one of several products seen advertised on WandaVision, though it is currently the only one available outside of the show. Of course, there's likely nothing stopping someone from making real-life versions of the other items shown, such as the ToastMate 2000 and the Hydra Soak bath powder. Temporarily putting aside the second overt callback to Hydra, the long-running villainous organization featured throughout Marvel's history, many fans would likely jump at the chance to own any of these.
The ongoing theme of WandaVision appears to be "things aren't what they seem," and the Strücker watch (along with the other products) seems like a pretty clear extension of that idea. For starters, Strücker seems to reference Wolfgang von Strucker and Werner von Strucker, father and son Hydra agents featured in the Marvel Cinematic Universe as well as Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., respectively. As for the other commercials, the ToastMate 2000 is supposedly manufactured by Stark Industries, an obvious reference to Iron Man himself, Tony Stark. But one possible connection audiences might have missed is with the Hydra Soak bath powder, which may reference a "mind control soap" mentioned by Agent Coulson in Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.
It wouldn't be surprising to see these commercials become more and more sinister as the series goes on. It would mesh well with how the show itself appears to be slowly unraveling with each episode, giving viewers a glimpse at the overarching pre-set story of WandaVision. In fact, more products like these becoming available to viewers could be a rather clever way to add a meta component to the experience, since it would help audiences get immersed in the idea of the real world and a fantasy land becoming indistinguishable.
The idea of reality and fantasy blending may end up adding more confusion to the mix, but hopefully, Marvel pulls it off. In the meantime, eager WandaVision fans can pick up their own Strücker watch and count the minutes until the big twist when the next episode drops.
The WandaVision Strücker Watch is available for purchase on Hot Topic's website.
Source: Marvel