The Ikepod Hemipod 2025, The 1990s Icon Slightly Reinvented

Ikepod reintroduces the iconic 1990s watch with a refined name and form, the Hemipod 2025. The new model is unmistakably Ikepod but carefully modernised to retain the avant-garde spirit of the original while addressing the practical challenges that once came with it. The new Hemipod retains the design, simplifies servicing, and offers two distinctive chronograph variations for a new generation of enthusiasts. 

When Ikepod first appeared in 1994, it turned watch design on its head. While the rest of the industry searched through archives, Marc Newson, who was one of the brand’s founders, imagined watches as sculptural, organic new objects: minimalist yet complex, mechanical yet intensely human. The 1997 creation, the Hemipode, was a perfect embodiment of his vision: a lugless, monobloc chronograph that looked like it had descended from another planet. Its futuristic look made Hemipode one of the most instantly recognisable watches of the late 1990s. For a time, it was a hit, favoured by architects, designers, and tech visionaries, people drawn to ideas rather than tradition. Most importantly, though, Ikepod inspired many indies long before “independent watchmaking” became a category; it became a crucial moment that changed how we think about time and form. Now, let´s look at the new Hemipod (now without an “e” at the end).

The case is still perfectly symmetrical, with the rounded 44mm shape, now made from Grade 2 titanium. Early Hemipodes were available in both steel and titanium, but this new version is all-titanium, which feels like a fitting tribute to a design that was always about modern materials and ergonomics. Despite being a large and thick watch, the new Hemipod wears comfortably, thanks to the short lug-less design and the reduced weight of titanium.

One significant improvement is an updated construction, making the watch easier to service. The original Hemipode’s monocoque design made access to the movement notoriously complex (basically, you’d need to break the crown’s stem). The 2025 edition solves this with a rear crown access system, a discreet engineering solution that enables easier maintenance. Although the overall silhouette remains identical to that of the original in the 1990s, refinement and surface finishing give it an even more fluid, contemporary feel. Notice how the original model’s pusher at 8’clock is gone, no longer needed with the new module inside. Water resistance is rated 50m.

The 2025 Ikepod Hemipod is available in two different editions. The HE00 Series, available with either black or white dials, sticks closest to the classic look of the 1997 original, complete with four tone-on-tone, snailed subdials, including a date subdial at 3 o’clock. These are powered by the Arola C3IKE calibre based on the Valjoux 7750 and adapted with a date module. Meanwhile, the HE10 Series, offered in bright orange or blue, introduces a three-register (all black) with classic day-date configuration, also powered by an ETA 7750 base movement. This is a first for Ikepod: a new dial design inspired by the brand’s archives but never previously produced. Both layouts preserve the brand’s symmetrical logic and sense of balance. The HE00 features the brand’s logo laser-engraved onto the sapphire, echoing the Gen2 models, while the HE10 displays the inscription directly on the dial.

As with its predecessor, the slightly visible movement is proudly mechanical and Swiss, running at 28,800 vibrations/hour with an approximate 42-hour power reserve. Nothing fancy here, but the good old Valjoux base to keep things reliable and easy to use.

The Ikepod pin-strap completes the design, maintaining the sculptural purity of the case. Originally made of a vanilla-scented polymer, the new strap is now crafted from supple natural rubber, improving comfort and durability, preserving the instantly recognisable look: a subtle nod to one of Newson’s most enduring design signatures, later echoed in the Apple Watch sport band.

The Ikepod Hemipod 2025 will be launched in December 2025. Prices for the HE10 Series stand at CHF 4,500, EUR 5,400 or USD 6,500, whereas the HE00 Series is priced at CHF 4,900, EUR 5,900 or USD 6,900. Both are Swiss-made and manufactured in limited quantities. For more details and orders, please visit ikepod.com.