ReviewSame Same But Different: The Minimalistic Ikepod Duopod

The minimalistic models of Swiss watchmakers Ikepod are redolent of smooth, disc-like objects, from extraterrestrial flying saucers to smooth flat, round pebbles. After the brand were bought over in 2017 by the present owner, Christian-Louis Col, new collections came to be launched in subsequent years. One of these was the time-only Ikepod Duopod, inspired by the now discontinued Horizon line. The beauty of this line is that along with the incorporation of Japanese movements, cost-effective Taiwanese dials and futuristic design traits, Duopod further pushes the envelope by exploring vivid patterns and colours in dials through collaborations with renowned artists.

No Frills, Repetitive Textures

The Duopod is the most minimalistic series from Ikepod, designed by Emmanuel Gueit—the man behind the design of the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore and revamped Rolex Cellini. One fine example is the Duopod White Lines 016, with a white dial, gun indexes and lume hands outlined in bright orange. Likewise for the illuminous blue Ikepod Duopod Midnight Blue 008. Two other models explore a subtle repetitive texture of the bubble grid. Gueit, the noted designer was roped in to design one such model, titled Duopod Gold Dots 003, to which he gave it a hammered metal dial. There’s also the black dial riddled with bubbles and orange dotted hour markers titled Duopod Dots 004, nicknamed the ‘Comeback Dial’, launched shortly after the change in ownership in 2018. The last from the minimalistic lineup is the classy tone-on-tone Duopod Staying Alive 005, with a dial in brushed steel.

Ikepod Duopod Shop The Collection

A peculiar factor with this model is the absence of lugs. The silicone strap sprouts from the case underneath the bezel itself. This makes the 42mm iterations feel like 39mm on the wrist. About the case, the rounded profile of the stainless steel body eliminates any chances of sharp edges getting entangled in clothes, causing injuries or scratches.

Duopod X Tom Christopher

Ikepod has had an eccentric collaborative lineup with artists such as Jeff Koons and KAWS to manufacture special limited-edition watches. With Los Angeles-based artist Tom Christopher (born 1952)—known for his expressionist paintings and murals on urban life that ‘capture the vibrancy of a New York minute’—Ikepod has collaborated for special edition sneakers, skateboards and two watch editions. Once was in 2021. The 200-piece limited edition of 46mm watches, titled ‘Skaters in the Sky’, falls under Ikepod Art Series and extends the Megapod line that features Christopher’s painted skyscrapers dotting the outer minute track.

Ikepod Duopod Shop The Collection

The next year, Ikepod introduced three Duopod iterations. These feature graffiti depictions of NYC scapes in vivid hues with impulsive flair. A quartz edition it showcased a riot of colour. Limited editions of 37 pieces each, these watches are called ‘Skyscrapers Floating in Air’, ‘Single Gear’ and ‘Lost in Thought’—a total of 111 pieces in 42mm. The most abstract of the lot, ‘Skyscrapers Floating in Air‘, has pink outlines of the Chrysler Building and Empire State Building, against a blue sky. ‘Single Gear’ has a lad riding a bicycle before a fleet of yellow taxis, while ‘Lost In Thought’ has a blonde girl engrossed reading a book on the pavement with a taxi in the background. In addition, the brand have seven collector sets that contain all three models. Engravings on the closed casebacks include the artist name, artwork title and serial number.

Being mindful of sustainable practices, the Ikepod Duopod models are packaged in recycled cardboard boxes handmade in France

All Duopod watches are powered by a quartz Miyota movement, and come fitted with an antireflective sapphire crystal  glass. With a domed caseback, each watch has a silicone strap fitted with a steel ardillon buckle. Being mindful of sustainable practices, the Ikepod Duopod models are packaged in recycled cardboard boxes handmade in France.