Ikepod

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Ikepod is a Swiss watch manufacturer owned by Oliver Ike and Marc Newson, and specializing in conceptual timepieces and chronometers.

The businessman Oliver Ike founded the Ikepod Watch Company in 1994 and it was his dream to create a line of watches that would focus on advanced technology and interesting designs. After creating the business plan Oliver Ike began searching for the right designer. He particularly admired the futuristic Pod designs of Marc Newson, a well-known furniture and interior designer.

Ike invited Newson to join the company and help by the watch design. Intrigued, the Australian designer agreed to become the sole designer of the new mechanical timepiece line and thus forming a partnership. The Ikepod brand (named for Oliver Ike and for Newson's signature Pod design style) was born. This became a quite successful partnership and, today Ikepod is gaining international recognition as a watch line. Marc Newson contributed to the fact that Ikepod is considered among the most unusual names in the world of watchmaking and to become a so-called design anomaly among watches.

Every Ikepod watch is designed by Newson in his individualistic style, and some even sport his signature bright orange color as an accent. The watches are created only in limited edition series.

In late 2003 Ikepod filed for bankruptcy protection in the Swiss court system. Their assets were quickly bought up, and now the new parent company is deciding on the future strategy for Ikepod.

The Ikepod brand has relaunched production in November 2006.

[edit] External links

• Official web site
• Ikepod Watch Fan Site