Ikepod Watch ($344)
Back in April we told you about Ikepod, the Swiss watch and style icon of the 1990s that was rumored to be making a comeback. At the time details were scant, but now we know the watch is officially back via a new Kickstarter campaign. And the best part? It’s actually affordable!
What was once sold on the secondary market for hundreds of thousands of dollars can now be purchased for a mere $344, with estimated delivery dates beginning next May. So what do the new Ikepod timepieces offer?
Well, for starters, they’re designed in Switzerland and made in Hong Kong in “the best Hong Kong workshop known for supplying the best of Swiss watch brands.” In fact, many Swiss watches under CHF 3000 have their parts manufactured in Asia and then assembled in Switzerland, and Ikepod wanted to offer that same quality and reliability at a more reasonable price.
Just like the original, the new Ikepod watches come in both a “duopod” and “chronopod” design with that same futuristic pod-like shape that made them so popular to begin with. The dials are designed by Swiss legend Emmanuel Gueit with a modern, minimalist aesthetic composed with two simple hands on the duopod and three chrono seconds at the 6 on the chronopod—all housed in an identical 42mm, 316L steel casing as the original for maximum durability.
As for what’s inside, the movements are powered by a Japanese Miyota JS 25 quartz movement and feature the “Hemipode 2008” logo on the crown along with orange pushers for the chronopod. Meanwhile, the strap is made with the brand’s first-ever pin buckle and a similar silicone strapping to the original, this time with non-allergenic silicone and a dust protective coating that keeps it smooth to the touch. Various colorways are also available, including the original black, white, and silver faces along with several new additions that offer up a subtle pop.
The Kickstarter campaign, along with the special limited-time pricing, is slated to go on from now until October 18th, with an e-commerce site at full pricing going up next June and worldwide distribution coupled with brick-and-mortar in July. In other words, if you’re looking to get in on the ridiculous pricing, you need to move quick before word gets out and the Kickstarter campaign expires.
