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Founded in 1994 by Marc Newson and Oliver Ike, the trail-blazing Ikepod turns 30 this year. And what better way to celebrate than with a new model — give a warm welcome to the new Ikepod Horopod watch collection, which combines familiar design touches with fresh updates for today’s watch enthusiasts.
Ikepod’s winding history has three distinct eras. The first era spanned from 1994 to 2006, marked by groundbreaking models such as Seaslug, Hemipode, Megapode, and Manatee. While each of these Gen1 models offered its own unique features, they were all instantly recognizable as Ikepod creations thanks to the company’s strong retro-futuristic design language comprising bold shapes, prominent proportions, lug-less cases, expansive dials, distinctive handsets, and integrated bands.
Ikepod relaunched in 2008 and introduced the Horizon, a new interpretation of the fan-favorite Hemipod that retained the iconic rounded, pebble-like case shape but furnished with Victor Vasarely optical art-inspired dials, which appeared to be convex. Other Gen2 Ikepod models that emerged included the rectangular Solaris, the Hourglass, and creative collaborations with artists Jeff Koons and KAWS. The second era came to an end in 2012.
We are currently in the brand’s third era, which began in 2018 after Christian-Louis Col took over with a mission to make Ikepod more affordable and accessible while retaining the design-led ethos that made the watches so beloved. Following the success of the Duopod, Chronopod, Megapod, Seapod, and Skypod, the all-new Horopod now joins the Ikepod Gen3 lineup.
The Horopod, designed by Adrian Buchmann, continues the legacy of the Horizon (thus, the Hemipod too), packed with appealing details. The titanium cases measure 44mm in diameter, however, they feel more compact on the wrist and wear more like a 41mm watch. The cases are fitted with screw-down crowns and are water-resistant to 50 meters. Attached to the lug-less cases are matching titanium bracelets reminiscent of those found on Gen1 models; however, Ikepod will deliver the first batch of Horopod watches with an additional black rubber strap with a pin buckle. The titanium bracelets are designed to fit wrists up to 21cm and will require tools to resize (instructions are supplied.)
The regular production Horopod is available in a few dial variations, all featuring a trio of hands at the center and named after cities. Three of the dials — the blue Jodhpur (ref. HO01), black Lisboa (ref. HO02), and green Neom (ref. HO03) — have a sandwich dial construction and are decorated with the familiar optical art pattern. The next two have raised dots for decor and include a luminous ring around the periphery; these include the gray and orange Puxi (ref. HO10) and the white Udaipur (ref. HO11). Finally, there’s the Petra (ref. HO20) with a floral motif bronze dial. Aside from these standard production models, Ikepod has also made a special 30th Anniversary Horopod (ref. HO04), limited to 30 examples with each piece numbered. These versions house a black optical art dial with only the hour and minute hand at the center.
Like previous generations of Ikepod watches, the back of the Horopod includes a small window for a glimpse of the movement inside the case. That movement is the Swiss-made, 4-HZ, 38-hour power reserve ETA 2824, which was part of a batch of New Old Stock (NOS) movements that came with the company’s latest ownership change. The Series1 Horopod with these specs will be limited in quantities.
Commenting on his design for Ikepod, Adrian Buchmann said, “Ikepod is more than a design object or a UFO as some call it. In the context of the brand launch it was a stand to that “proper” watchmaking could be playful. Remember the brand was launched in 1994 and has been able to create a true icon that after 30 years still looks totally up to date and feels like it will be so for the next 30 years.”
Adhering to the company’s new mantra of accessibility and affordability, the new Ikepod Horapod watches will retail for $3,490 USD, which is significantly less than Generation 1 and 2 models. All models are currently available for purchase on the brand’s website. For more information about the new Horopod watches, please visit the Ikepod website.
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