In an era obsessed with retro revival, Ikepod was one of the few brands boldly charting its own course. Born in 1994, the maison hit its creative stride in 1997 with the Hemipode — Marc Newson’s sleek, UFO-like chronograph that crystallised nearly a decade of design exploration. While others mined their archives, Ikepod pushed watchmaking into tomorrow, introducing lug-less ergonomics, a sculptural case, and a seamless strap integration that felt radical then and timeless now.
The Hemipode quickly became a cult favourite among designers, architects, and tech leaders. Its 44mm lug-less silhouette wore closer to 41mm yet carried undeniable presence, helping it stand apart at a time when oversized watches were rare. Despite a price tag eclipsing a Daytona, the watch caused a sensation at Baselworld 1998 and secured placements with forward-thinking retailers like Colette and 10 Corso Como. As one of the first true “concept watches,” it signaled the rise of independent horology and proved that pure design could rival complications in desirability.
Now Ikepod brings back the legend. The 2025 Hemipod stays faithful to the original architecture while refining the formula: a titanium 44mm case, an upgraded movement by Rochat (based on the Valjoux 7750), or a ETA 7750 for the day-date versions, and a modern natural-rubber evolution of the iconic pin strap. With its smart rear-crown system and laser-engraved Gen3 signature, the new Hemipod preserves the spirit of Newson’s breakthrough while preparing it for a new generation of design-minded collectors.
