When it comes to intriguing and original design in the watch industry, the concept of Ikepod is hard to ignore. The pebble-shaped watches have gained cult status and are considered emblematic. However, the company's journey has not been easy: it went bankrupt in 2006, resumed operations in 2008, but production ended again in 2012 after four more years. Turning the page and writing a new chapter in the last three years, Ikepod is returning with dive watches, but not in the way you might expect. Let's take a look at the new Ikepod Seapod collection.
Ikepod's story began in 1994 when Oliver Ike and Marc Newson created watches unlike any seen before. Almost perfectly round, sphere-like watches became modern icons, not just by watchmaking standards. The design was intentionally overloaded to make them more than just watches. It was a brand for designers, artists, architects, and others attracted to UFO-like timepieces.
In 2018, a successful Kickstarter campaign brought the dormant Ikepod back to life, and since then, the company has been working hard to reclaim its place in the market. Repositioning the brand and drastically lowering prices to under 2,000 euros helped the renewed Ikepod gain attention. In 2018, the quartz-powered Duopod and Chronopod were successfully launched via Kickstarter. Two years later, the new Ikepod Megapod with a mechanical movement appeared.
In 2021, Ikepod is ready to present its new dive watches - the Seapod. These are not the company's first water sports-focused watches, as the Seaslug was an original creation when the brand first appeared in 1994. However, the Seapod incorporates some style elements from those early diver watches and has evolved into something new, yet still very much Ikepod.
The case of the Ikepod Seapod is pebble-shaped and made of stainless steel, with an almost seamlessly integrated rotating bezel. Three models are available, two of which are fully matte with black markings on the bezel, and one with a black PVD coating and luminous material for the bezel. Without any knurling or profiling to aid in rotating the bezel, it must be said that manipulation remains quite simple! However, it should be noted that these are not ISO-certified dive watches, so some liberties have been taken in their design and execution.
The most significant link between the original Seaslug and the new Seapod is undoubtedly the design of the hour markers on the multilayer dial. The hour markers are three-dimensional colored dots applied to the background. Cutouts in the black top dial allow the lume to shine through. A minute ring with 5-minute increments and minute markers is located on the outer flange.
The hands of the Ikepod Seapod have a very familiar design, as this shape is used in other Ikepod collections. While the hour and minute hands have a luminous material with a colored outline, the second hand does not and is in solid color. Choices include orange with black, blue with black, or white with black (in the case of the black PVD-coated case). The crown is slightly recessed into the case when screwed down.
Turning the watch over, you will find a mechanical movement inside. The "reimagined" Ikepod since 2018 has used Miyota movements, as do the new Ikepod watches. Of course, there's nothing wrong with that, and the automatic Miyota 9039 movement does its job. It provides hour, minute, and second indications, which are basic but essentially all you need. The power reserve is 42 hours.
Ikepod Seapod watches come on a soft silicone strap in bright blue or black, but bracelets can also be ordered. The 46mm-wide case lacks lugs, so straps are tucked under the bezel. This also means the watches wear much smaller than the size might suggest. Although not a certified instrument, they have a sufficient depth rating of 200 meters.
The cost of the Ikepod Seapod is 1,350 euros for the steel and orange S001 Zale or blue S002 Jacques, and 1,450 euros for the black PVD-coated S003 François.
More detailed information is available at Ikepod.com.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS – IKEPOD SEAPOD COLLECTION
Case: 46mm diameter – stainless steel case – fully matte or black PVD coating – nearly seamless integrated rotating bezel – luminous marker on steel models, fully luminous numerals on black PVD models – sapphire crystal on top, mineral glass on the back – recessed screw-down crown – water resistance 200 meters
Dial: multilayer construction with 3D-applied dots (blue/orange/white) – luminous back panel – minute flange – hour and minute hands with luminous insert – non-luminous second hand – Ikepod Seapod print on the dial
Movement: automatic Miyota 9039 movement – 24 jewels – 28,800vph (4Hz frequency) – hours, minutes, seconds – power reserve 42 hours
Strap: silicone strap in blue or black – bracelets available separately
Availability: Delivery planned for late September
Price: 1,350 euros (blue or orange)
1,450 euros (black PVD)