1999 Ikepod Megapode Chronograph MG01 Titanium
Ref: MG01

Specification

Points of Mention

This watch is sold with its original IKEPOD box and paperwork. The watch comes paired with its original IKEPOD orange rubber strap. Inside the box is an additional black rubber strap. The watch is from December 1999 and is sold in worn condition, unpolished case and overall very fair condition as you can see. The watch comes with our 12-Months NON-Waterproof Warranty.

The Watch

Swiss businessman Oliver Ike and designer Marc Newson founded IKEPOD in 1994. Marc Newson's designs have influenced modern watch innovation over the years, with his use of shape and function. Producing exclusive limited numbers and using Swiss movements, cases and dials. During the 1990s and early 2000s, they were very productive and financially secure or so they thought, unfortunately, due to the dot-com bubble bursting in a dramatic fashion they filed for bankruptcy in 2003. The company was sold to the Perficio Group, which was unable to produce a single watch and also filed for bankruptcy in 2005. The company tried again in 2008 to reform under Marc Newson but sadly he left IKEPOD in 2012 and the company dissolved into memory. During this period of inactivity, a group of watch enthusiasts and businessmen decided to once again raise IKEPOD from the ashes. Purchasing the brand in 2017 they quickly went to work to relaunch. Spending time in design and development producing prototypes, and finally deciding on two model lines. Taking the brand to Kickstarter to attract interest and well-needed funding. IKEPOD today makes their watches in Hong Kong. Using Miyota movements. Their designs are the creation of Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore designer Emmanuel Gueit.

Here we have a 1999 Ikepod Megapode Chronograph MG01 with a 46mm Titanium monocoque case. The spherical design of this pilot chronograph is the signature of Marc Newson. Limited to 9999 pieces ours is number 24. The case sits on your wrist like a cushion with recessed lugs. A lug to lug length of 45.5mm and a case thickness of 17mm gives the watch an impressive wrist presence. Down the left side, we have the chronograph pushers and a signed crown in the centre. On the right side is a crown to adjust the American ASA Flight Computer, which consists of 2 logarithmic scales STAT for standard mileage, KM for kilometres and NAUT for nautical miles allowing a pilot to calculate fuel consumption, airspeed, time, distance, convert miles to kilometres and many other useful functions. The smooth curve of the case continues with a domed sapphire crystal. An outer slide rule scale is rotatable using the crown. At 12 o’clock a 12-hour register, at 3 o’clock a small seconds register, at 6 o’clock a 30-minute register with the date window and finally at 9 o’clock the 24-hour register. The combination of white and yellow numerals against the black registers and grey dial makes the busy dial legible. The sculpted hands are infilled with LumiNova completed by a yellow chronograph hand that matches the yellow register hands. On the reverse, a small exhibition window of sapphire crystal showcasing the watches beating heart. Around the edge, we have deep engraving highlighting the fact that this watch was designed by Marc Newson. Inside an Automatic LPJ 8301 a modified ETA Valjoux 7750. The watch comes fitted on a 24mm Orange rubber strap. Inside the box is an additional black rubber strap. The watch also comes with its IKEPOD presentation box and papers.

Personal Note

Ikepod is a brand of huge importance in the world of independents, so ahead of their time and unfortunately never made it the way they should have! However, now people are starting to wake up to just how amazing Ikepod is, they have started increasing in value but also appreciation from collectors, I'd say now is a great time to jump into a complete set example like this, enjoy and wear for many years and watch the market!