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Ikepod: Modern-Day Timekeeping Shaped By Japanese Aesthetics
Founded in 1994 by Marc Newson and Oliver Ike, Ikepod brought the virtues of Industrial design into the watchmaking world. For a better understanding of Ikepod, first, browse through Newson’s designs. Considered one of the most influential modern designers, the Australian legend has previously worked with brands such as Apple, Nike, Ferrari, and Heineken. One of his earliest works, Lockheed Lounge Chairs, sold for $3.7 million, making it the most expensive object ever sold by a living designer.
Newson began by producing design-centric watches. This made Ikepod one of the first independent watch brands to produce ‘concept or conceptual’ watches that placed precedence on horological design over industrialisation. Serving a niche market, Ikepod incorporated ideas such as limited-edition production and high-end luxury pricing, giving it the brand appeal of high-end design-centric watches.
One of Ikepod's most famous watch models is the ‘Hemipode’, designed by Marc Newson. It features a distinctive elliptical case and a minimalist dial with a single hand to indicate the time. The Hemipode’s design challenges the conventional norms of watch design and has gained a cult following among design enthusiasts and collectors.
Ikepod watches were also notable for collaborations with prominent designers and artists, such as Claesson Koivisto Rune and Tom Christopher, which added an artistic and creative dimension to their timepieces. Recently, Ikepod became the first watchmaker to launch a line of limited-edition sneakers. Despite its unique and influential designs, Ikepod remains a relatively niche brand within the watch industry, appealing to those who appreciate unconventional and avant-garde aesthetics in timekeeping.
Portfolio
Ikepod offers a wide range of timepieces that are placed under collections such as Skypod, Duopod, Chronopod, Megapod, and Seapod. The Skypods are Swiss-made timepieces inspired by the aviation industry, designed by Claesson Koivisto Rune, a Swedish architecture trio best known for their industrial designs. A direct descendant of the Horizon collection, the Duopod is a two-hand series of minimalistic timepieces designed in collaboration with Tom Christopher, a renowned painter known for his expressionist murals and urban paintings. The Duopod is fitted with a Japanese-inspired quartz Miyota movement.
Inspired by the Hemipode collection, the Chronopod is a chronograph offered with Ikepod’s signature curves and is powered by a quartz movement. Whereas the Megapod features the iconic 1997 design that also features a limited-edition timepiece made in collaboration with Christopher and is available in both quartz and automatic movements.
Ikepod also features a rather unique diving watch called the Seapod, which features an integrated rotating bezel while providing water resistance of approximately 200 metres. The Seapod collection also features a bronze case iteration.