What is a "hit"? This is the kind of product that sells best, right in great demand. These are products that are most attractive, and by definition, not for a few, but for a fairly mass consumer. At the same time, the hit is characterized by high quality and full recognition.
Based on these criteria, it can be argued that the modern brand book of the Ikepod watch company is a hit in its entirety.
The company was founded in 1994 in Switzerland. The brand immediately attracted attention, developing technical innovations and releasing watches of innovative design with an unmistakable “face”. It is worth noting that the chief designer of Ikepod at that time was Mark Newson, who later created the Apple Watch.
However, over the years it turned out that everything was not so rosy. Bet on exclusivity, the release of very expensive models (sometimes in the tens of thousands of Swiss francs), extremely limited editions - all this began to work worse and worse, and the global economic downturn of 2008 forced the company to take a kind of pause.
The revival of Ikepod dates back to 2017, when long-time fan Christian-Louis Colle became the new owner of the company, and Emmanuel Gate, who was previously famous for creating such masterpieces of watchmaking art as Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore and Rolex Cellini, took over as chief designer.
The new Ikepod collections are conceived in a completely different way than their predecessor models. Endless "limited editions", sophisticated service problems, models made of precious metals, the price of several thousand or tens of thousands of euros - all this is in the past. The new Ikepod rejects this "philosophy" but stays true to the idea. The watch retained the DNA of the brand, but became affordable and, to some extent, mass-produced. In order to achieve this affordability, production was transferred to Hong Kong, and Swiss movements were replaced by Japanese Miyota. The Swiss Made label is a thing of the past, but the quality of the watch, of course, remains impeccable.
And, most importantly, the face of the brand has been preserved. Perfectly round shape of the case (now made of steel), convex bezel (usually satin-brushed), completely original design of the strap fastening (without any lugs or rings: the fastening elements are not visible either from the side of the dial or from the back cover). Prices have acquired the desired democracy.
There are three collections in the current range of Ikepod watches. All of them can rightfully be considered hits.
Chronopod
High-precision (deviation no more than ± 20 seconds per month) chronograph, on a Miyota quartz movement. Diameter - 44 mm, water resistance - 50 m. Let's note the Gold Dots model with a golden dial dotted with dots of different sizes. Again, some of the dots are colored in a contrasting color to play the role of hour markers. There are several more versions in the collection that differ in the color schemes of the dial.
Duopod
This is a minimalist two-hand switch, powered by a Miyota quartz movement, in a 42mm case (50m water resistant - swimmable), with a sapphire crystal, on a silicone strap. The most tempting model in the collection is the Dots model, the dial of which is decorated with a unique decor in the form of many round dots. Of these, colored dots play the role of hour markers. However, the models Staying Alive with a satin dial and White Lines with a calmer background of the dial, but with skeletonized orange hands, are also very interesting.
Megapod
This collection should be regarded as a flagship. Ikepod Megapod watches are powered by Miyota automatic calibers. The cases are even more massive - 46 mm, the rest is similar to the collections discussed above (WR50, silicone strap, sapphire crystal, satin bezel). The base models of this collection are presented with black and blue dials.
Separately, we note the Ikepod model, which is equal in price! Joe: Its dial is designed by renowned watch designer Alexandre Peraldi and really looks like royalty. However, the Ikepod model stands out even more! Gold Dots with the already familiar golden dial, covered with a constellation of indentations-dots.
And finally, still a limited edition: two switchman (unlike the others - they are three switchmen) Ikepod! Skaters in the Sky is produced in a series of 200 pieces. The dial, designed by American artist Tom Christopher, vividly depicts skaters floating in the sky. The screw-down caseback is engraved with Tom Christopher Skaters in the Sky.
