Founded in 1994 by designer Marc Newson and entrepreneur Oliver Ike, Ikepod quickly became one of the most influential independent watch brands of the late 1990s through its fusion of industrial design and contemporary horology. Defined by smooth organic case shapes and highly unconventional aesthetics, Ikepod watches stood apart dramatically from the traditional Swiss watch industry of the era. The Hemipode collection became one of the brand’s signature chronograph lines, combining futuristic styling with serious mechanical complications. The example offered here, the Hemipode Rattrapante Chronograph ref. HR01, is among the rarest models produced by the brand, featuring a split-seconds chronograph complication built upon a modified Valjoux 7750 movement. Produced in an exceptionally limited edition of just 99 pieces, the model represents the pinnacle of Ikepod’s early mechanical experimentation and remains one of the most collectible watches from the Marc Newson era.

The “designer's designer,” Marc Newson founded Ikepod in 1994, and after being resurrected (for the second time), it’s getting well-deserved recognition for its impact on the industry. The Hemipode Rattrapante Chronograph, with the split-seconds function, is an extremely rare model with a small edition size of just 99. These caused quite a fuss when they came out in the early 2000s.