ReviewSomething Old, Something New: The Shiny Trio Of Ikepod Skypod

Graphic designer Oliver Ike and designer Marc Newson co-founded Ikepod, originally a Swiss watchmaking brand, in 1994, doling futuristic ‘flying saucer’ lookalike watches that broke through the traditional mindset of the mechanical watch industry. One of the first designs the brand unveiled was the Ikepod Megapode Chronograph, one of Newson’s designs; envisaged as a pilot’s watch, was inbuilt with the American ASA flight computer that displayed two logarithmic scales, which kept tabs on the fuel consumed and the distances covered. Measuring 47mm case-wise, the Megapode had the crown and reset pushers positioned on the left of the case, mindful that pilots find it easier to operate their wristwatch on the right hand while flying. After Newson left the company in 2012, the production of Ikepod watches stopped, till the Stockholm-based studio Claesson Koivisto Rune bought over the brand in 2017 and began initiating a ‘restomod’—reissuing of old Ikepod watches that pay obeisance to the original watch design with subtle design tweaks, inbuilt new-old-stock movements, and a new name. Megapode thus, returned as the Ikepod Skypod watch.

Ikepod Skypod Shop The Collection

Skypod: An Ode To Megapode

Compared to the stainless steel 47mm Megapode Chronograph, the Ikepod Skypod, in Grade-3 titanium, with circular brushed finish has reduced by one size. Although it’s at 46mm—like all Ikepod watches, featuring a lugless design—it appears more of a 43mm ‘lug-to-lug’ on the wrist. Lending a personal touch, its three variants—Skypod SK03 Ola with a dark brown dial, Skypod SK01 Eero with a black dial and Skypod SK02 Mårten with a blue dial—are named after the Swiss architecture trio behind Claesson Koivisto Rune: ‘Ola’ stands for Ola Rune, ‘Eero’ for Eero Koivisto and ‘Mårten’ for Mårten Claesson.

After Stockholm-based studio Claesson Koivisto Rune bought over the brand in 2017, they began initiating a restomod—reissuing of old Ikepod watches that pay obeisance to the original watch design with subtle design tweaks, inbuilt new-old-stock movements, and new name. Megapode thus, returned as Ikepod Skypod

Reliance On The Tried And Tested

All three variants run on the La Joux-Perret 8103 24dt automatic movement—a new-old-stock Swiss movement, with a Valjoux 7750 base responsible for the GMT function. These movements were sourced from unused stock meant for Megapode watches, fully serviced by Roland Floor/Projets Youhr—a ‘historical gen2 Ikepod watchmaker’. The movement beats at 28,800vph, offers 40-hour power reserve, and ensures the functioning of the borderless sub-dials indicating small seconds at three o’clock, 30-minute counter at six o’clock, and second time zone at 12 o’clock. Not to forget the slim date aperture between seven and eight o’clock, almost negligible among the white and orange circuitous pathways, plus the signature hands on the dial.

Features such as a domed sapphire crystal over the dial, porthole sapphire crystal caseback and durable black rubber pin strap with metal stud, give the Skypod a highly compact design and upto 50m water resistance.

The Skypod features a highly compact design with closed porthole sapphire crystal caseback

The watch comes attached to a durable rubber pin strap with metal stud

Given the unusual timekeeping features on the dial, at first glance, the Skypod might seem too complicated for easy readability. But let the white and orange hour markers and hands guide you, and with time, the timekeeping experience will gradually feel unique and enjoyable.