Vintage Ikepod Buying Guide. Part I

Here are some things to help you buy a vintage Ikepod.

Why a vintage Ikepod?

Ikepod was the first "concept watch" and ignited the trend of independent watchmakers. It's a different design and technical concept. Whether you like the Ikepod or not, it marked the history of contemporary watchmaking and breathed new life into a market dominated by sporty chic. It was also the first and only time a designer succeeded in launching a Swiss watch brand. It is anti-bling, anti-mainstream and anti-conformism. Unique shapes.

Any watch or design collection worth its salt must have an Ikepod in it because Ikepod has always been ahead of its time. It's the watch from the future.

Where to buy?

Auction houses are starting to understand and take an interest in Ikepod, Christie's and Sotheby's are good sources.

Ebay and Chrono24 often have great pieces and reputable sellers like Eric Wind vintage also have great pieces.
Pre-owned watch resale stores can also be a good place to find the vintage Ikepod you need. However, there is no such thing as zero risk, and these shops are not necessarily staffed by watch experts. Do not hesitate to ask questions to the person who advises you.

Visit our e-museum section to discover our collection and "get your eye in" and of course our vintage corner where we offer “New Old Stock pieces”.

What is a Gen1, Gen2, Gen3 ? (Name born from discussions with Ikepod collectors)

The Gen1 are the watches produced between 1994 and 2006. About 15,000 pieces, mostly in steel. The Ikepod logo is "framed" in all letters.

The Megapod gen1 Chrono with its round box.
The Gen2 were produced between 2008 and 2012. Approximately 1,000 pieces (including Hour glasses) mainly in titanium. The "bird" logo is engraved on the sapphire crystal.

 The Hemipode Rose gold gen2 (icon and famous model)

Gen1 and Gen2 are Swiss Made.
Gen3 are the current range produced since 2019 (very few produced too :) in steel and titanium, proudly made in HK and Swiss made, logo on dial or sapphire but framed.

The most famous models.

Gen1: The Hemipode launched in 1997 remains Ikepod's most iconic chrono. It contains all the brand's stylistic elements; a second time zone, a strong aesthetic with its 4 dials. In yellow gold, it is highly sought after. Its size of 44m remains contained to the wearing.

The Megapode, by the complexity of its dial, intrigues and pleases a lot despite its 47mm.
The Seaslug is the very first watch produced by Ikepod, as a conceptual trial run.

Gen2: this is the horizon that synthesizes the brand's DNA. The "golf ball sandwich" dials are an aesthetic success. It is a design object.

The lesser known models

The Megapode Gen1 three hands dates has been produced in many colors, it remains affordable. It can be found without the COSC number engraved on the back because sold and delivered without.

The Solaris Gen2 in ceramic with double dial and movement. It remains as an UFO to wear and will inspire the most sold connected watch in the world (300 pieces in ceramic, a few in gold, quartz)

What is the full set?

Most of the Ikepod Gen1 watches were certified chronometers and therefore must have their COSC certificate. This is the document that is most often lost, for us it lowers the price by 35%. You can't get a duplicate of the COSC.

Seaslug gen1 with it COSC and instruction, original rubber strap (round box missing on the picture)

So a full set Gen1, is the box, the watch with its pin bracelet, the COSC and the instructions for use. The cases are generally round.

Abouve Solaris set with warranty, box (missing instruction leaflet on the picture) 

A full set Gen2, it is the watch, the box, the instructions and the guarantee either in the form of a folding folio in a leatherette case, or in the form of a credit card. The cases are square (Solaris) or rectangle in length, beige or black.

How to recognize a fake Ikepod?

Most Gen1 and Gen2 watches are assembled from the top, i.e. monocoque, they cannot be opened from the bottom (Megapode, Hemipode, Isopode, Horizon)
Most Ikepods have a "proprietary" strap with lugs integrated into the case. The bracelets are specific with a "pin" as clasp and no "pumps" to hold the bracelet but by screw and nut.
Remember to check the model by looking at the various features to see if it is what the seller says it is. Also consider checking the watch's serial number, usually found on the back, to make sure the watch is authentic.
If you have any doubt, send us some pictures !

What is a POD ?

Pod was the first brand produced by IKEPOD AG, the models were the same but the logo was different, like an eye. They were rarer and less produced than the IKEPOD.
We produced Gen3 POD but with a modernized logo (to defend the brand).

The Pod 60mm large model was produced in 6 copies according to our information. The Pod 39mm small model has less than 100 pieces. The box is a cardboard box.

 3 early Seaslug Pod (number 001 in the center and its variant around)

I was offered a prototype.

The prototypes are very rare and the pre-series are marked 0, 00, 000 and often we see small numbers for the gold ones.
The Gen2 prototypes are  in brass, and there have been very few.

Will Ikepod increase in value?

When the brand was taken over in 2017, there were about 400 watches permanently on Ebay and Chrono24, today it is 10 vintage on average, no more Hemipode at low prices.
Today the Ikepod Gen1 are back to their original selling price and the Gen2 are more expensive than new because of their rarity and interest within the brand. The price of some also depends on the "collab" as the Wallpaper or KAWS, indeed in 2012 the price of KAWS was not that of 2023, today Brian Donnelly is a bankable artist for his paintings, and records at auction were reached on his works, the 120 KAWS Ikepod follow the trend. But you can bet on a Tom Christopher Gen3!

Ikepod has produced very few watches, this rather "illiquid" market makes it immune to manipulation, the growth is organic.
Wearing a Gen1 can be expensive (a service costs CHF 700, a vintage bracelet CHF 300), so most watches are well preserved, repairable by our independent specialists. What's rare is expensive, as the saying goes, and even more so for Gen2s.
Ikepod is also riding the wave of interest in independents and will remain a safe bet in the future.

Max Büsser himself says that Ikepod was a pioneer.