Ikepod has branched out from watchmaking into making trainers, or sneakers as the Americans say, in an effort to catch the attention of collectors who appear to view timekeepers and sports shoes as complementary hobbies.
Sneakers have pretty much replaced the watch in the heart of younger collectors, Ikepod suggests, with a language and status of their own.
There is also cache in discovering niche brands such as Ikepod, so success in watches and footwear could be complementary.
Today sees the launch of three 200-piece limited edition drops of Ikepod’s Sneakerpod trainers, retailing for between €250 and €295.
Ikepod’s new owner Christian-Louis Col says Sneakerpods are entirely aligned with the company’s watchmaking but expand the reach of the brand into new collector communities.
“I think a watch brand like Ikepod can bring its design credentials to an accessories line. It’s important for Ikepod to have its own sneakers, they define how we look and how we walk, sneakers are a statement,” he says.
I own these sneakers, a new Ikepod watch and used to own an old Hemipode. I am a fan Ikepod watches.
But the sneakers have a little problem. The Ikepod name on the upper side is a simple decal. As a result, I worn the sneakers once and the decals are partly gone.
Not cool…