When in Paris...swing by Ikepod's pop up store that like a tropical flower, will only be open for a short time. This is the place to see Marc Newson's latest horological creations. Ikepod has teamed up with watch retailer Antoine de Macedo for the opening of its first pop up store in Paris. I have just visited the shop in Paris in St Germain on the left bank of the city that showcases Ikepod's collection of timepieces and hourglasses by Marc Newson, who co-owns the brand. Situated just across the road from Antoine de Macedo's watch work shop, the setting could not be more Parisian. The glass fronted one-room shop is a charming fusion of Parisian elegance - think black lacquer chest of drawers and bell jar display cases with antique wooden artists' hand models - and cutting edge design, courtesy of Marc Newson's hourglasses. Serenely counting out the seconds, nanoball by nanoball, the high-tech hourglasses are at home in this traditional quartier of Paris. When I went to visit, school children were rolling across the cobblestones on their scooters on their way to school and the clatter of shop shutters marked another new day for neighbouring book shops and grocers. Once there, it is worth crossing the road to see Antoine de Macedo's vintage watch shop and atelier. The golden swirling script of the wooden sign on the crumbling white façade of the building announces that these premises belong to an "Horleger". From the street you can see the watchmakers at work, with one wall dedicated to a ceiling-height bank of time-worn wooden drawers of spares and tools. Next door is de Macedo's vintage watch boutique. Inside antique vitrines, scattered between unrestored Le Corbusier chairs and 1940's desks are some real watchmaking gems. I particularly liked the groovy Chopard 1970's bangle watches and an early Hermes ladies' wrist watch by Jaeger-LeCoultre. A perfect place to browse and relax into de Macedo's eclectic and charming world of beautiful watches, with the sound of watchmakers at work in the background. Ikepod' temporary shop popped up on June 19 2011 and will remain open until July 31 2011. Ikepod 45 rue Madame 75006 Paris France +33142844808
