Swatch Closes Stores Amid Frenzy for Royal Pop Pocket Watches Swatch, the Swiss watchmaker, abruptly closed dozens of its global stores on Saturday as crowds overwhelmed locations in major cities worldwide, attempting to purchase the highly anticipated Royal Pop pocket watches from its collaboration with luxury timepiece maker Audemars Piguet. The decision came after authorities intervened at multiple sites, including London, New York, and Manhattan, to manage the chaotic scenes caused by shoppers eager to secure the colorful, pop art-inspired watches priced between $400 and $420. The closure was announced via social media posts, with Swatch stating that over 30 stores were shut down “in view of public safety considerations.” The Royal Pop collection, a limited collaboration between Swatch and Audemars Piguet, was set to launch globally on Saturday. The eight watches, inspired by Audemars Piguet’s iconic Royal Oak luxury line and Swatch’s 1980s POP series, were marketed as an accessible way for fans to own a piece of the luxury brand. Despite Swatch’s warnings on its website and social media pages—urging customers not to “rush to our stores in large numbers” and clarifying that the collection was not a limited edition—thousands of shoppers disregarded the advice. In New York, hundreds of fans gathered at Swatch stores in Times Square and SoHo, leading to at least one arrest by the New York Police Department. Similar scenes unfolded in cities like Paris, London, Dubai, Toronto, Atlanta, and Detroit, where lines stretched for hours. The King of Prussia Mall in Pennsylvania delayed its opening until noon due to the sheer number of people attempting to access the Swatch stores, according to The Philadelphia Inquirer.#new_york #times_square #swatch #audemars_piguet #philadelphia_inquirer
Crowds Gather at Mall at Millenia for Limited-Edition Swatch Release, Many Leave Empty-Handed A limited-edition collaboration between Swatch and Audemars Piguet drew hundreds of people to The Mall at Millenia over the weekend, but many collectors and resellers left the event without securing a watch. The “Royal Pop” collection features pocket watches attached to lanyards, with removable watch mechanisms that can be swapped into different cases. Matthew Salano of Deltona noted that the collection included six color options priced at $400 each, with two variants priced at $420. Salano, who arrived at the mall around 5 a.m. and stayed until 6 p.m., highlighted the stark price difference between the Swatch-Audemars Piguet collaboration and traditional Audemars Piguet watches, which can retail for upwards of $50,000. Another collector, Cory Kehoe of Daytona Beach, arrived even earlier, at 3 a.m., but also left without a purchase. Kehoe described how Orlando police blocked access to the store throughout the day, preventing customers from entering. The Mall at Millenia later posted on social media confirming that the Swatch location would remain closed on Saturday and Sunday. Kehoe criticized the event’s organization, calling it “bad organization” on the part of both Swatch and the mall, and suggested better coordination could have allowed more customers to purchase watches. Swatch issued a statement on Instagram and Facebook, clarifying that the “Royal Pop” collection would remain available for several months. The brand also noted that in some countries, queues exceeding 50 people could not be accommodated, leading to temporary pauses in sales. Representatives for The Mall at Millenia have not yet announced a reopening date for the Swatch store, leaving customers in limbo.#swatch #audemars_piguet #the_mall_at_millenia #matthew_salano #cory_kehoe
Swatch Store Chaos as Limited-Edition Watch Launch Sparks Crowds and Scuffles Shoppers descended on Swatch stores across the UK, Europe, and the US in a frenzy to secure the limited-edition Royal Pop timepieces, sparking chaos, scuffles, and police intervention. The collaboration between Swatch and luxury watchmaker Audemars Piguet caused widespread disruption, with crowds forming overnight and security forces deployed to manage the situation. In Paris, tear gas was used to disperse a 300-strong crowd outside a Swatch outlet, while in Manchester, a dispersal order was issued and a 25-year-old man was arrested. Similar scenes unfolded in Cardiff, Birmingham, Liverpool, and Sheffield, where police dogs and officers were called to control the chaos. In London, the Battersea power station and Westfield shopping centres saw security personnel confronting crowds attempting to force their way past barriers. Footage shared on social media showed people pushing through security, with a fight reportedly breaking out at Manchester’s Trafford Centre. Swatch stores in Manchester and Liverpool remained closed for a second day, with the company issuing a statement warning of safety risks for customers and staff. “In light of safety considerations for both our customers and our staff in Swatch stores, Manchester store will be closed for the day,” the company posted on Instagram. The frenzy extended to France, where queues of hundreds formed overnight in cities like Paris, Lyon, and Marseille. French police confirmed that officers had fired tear gas to control crowds outside a Paris store, where a metal shutter and two security gates were damaged. In Milan, a fight erupted outside a Swatch outlet, as captured by local media.#milan #manchester #paris #swatch #audemars_piguet
When Two Become One: Old and New Watchmakers Collaborate to Change Perception of Time Swiss luxury watchmaker Audemars Piguet has unveiled a bold collaboration with Swatch, the iconic brand known for its playful, affordable timepieces, to challenge long-standing perceptions of the watchmaking industry. The partnership, led by Audemars Piguet CEO Ilaria Resta, aims to redefine the narrative around mechanical watchmaking as a conservative, male-dominated craft. The project, dubbed the Royal Pop collection, merges high-end horology with Pop Art aesthetics, targeting younger audiences and reimagining traditional designs. The collaboration reinterprets Audemars Piguet’s historic Royal Oak pocket watch, first introduced in 1972. While purists will recognize elements from the original design—such as the “Petite Tapisserie” pattern, octagonal bezel, and eight hexagonal screws—the new iteration is deliberately disruptive. It features primary and pastel colors, polkadots reminiscent of Roy Lichtenstein’s work, and exposed mechanical components that highlight the inner workings of the timepiece. The collection offers eight variations, each blending vintage inspiration with modern flair. The pocket watch is designed for versatility, allowing it to be worn around the neck, in the pocket, as a bag charm, or as a fashion accessory. This approach aligns with contemporary trends favoring whimsical, jewelry-inspired charms that adorn purses and accessories. Resta emphasized that the collaboration embodies “joy and boldness,” serving as a catalyst for innovation and inviting a broader audience to engage with mechanical watchmaking in new ways. Resta’s vision extends beyond design. She has been vocal about dismantling the outdated notion that luxury watchmaking is an insular, male-dominated field.#swatch #audemars_piguet #royal_pop_collection #ilaria_resta #royal_oak_pocket_watch
Audemars Piguet x Swatch Royal Pop Collection Sparks Collector Debate The Audemars Piguet x Swatch Royal Pop collaboration, unveiled just days ago, has ignited intense discussions among watch enthusiasts. With eight distinct models in the collection, collectors are grappling with questions about the impact on Audemars Piguet’s legacy, the worth of waiting in line for these limited editions, and whether the designs are wearable or purely novelty pieces. The collection is set to debut in Swatch stores on May 16, but before the release, watch experts have already begun debating which models stand out. The collaboration blends Audemars Piguet’s iconic Royal Oak design with Swatch’s bold, colorful aesthetic, resulting in a range of vibrant and unconventional color schemes. The rankings of the eight models, as detailed by a watch expert, reflect personal preferences and design philosophies. The most vivid and striking versions, such as the Blaue Acht (muted mint green and blue), are praised for their boldness, while others, like the Otto Rosso (light pink), are noted for their subtle nods to AP’s Royal Oak heritage. Among the most polarizing models is the Otg Roz, inspired by Andy Warhol’s Marilyn Monroe painting. While the collaboration embraces pop-art influences, this version has drawn criticism for leaning too heavily on Swatch’s experimental design style, resulting in a color palette that some find overly flashy. Conversely, the Lan Ba, with its savonette format and small seconds subdial, is celebrated for its historical nod to pocket watches, a detail highlighted by Hodinkee’s Mark Kauzlarich. The collection is divided into two formats: lépine (crown at 12 o’clock) and savonette (crown at 3 o’clock with a subdial at 6 o’clock).#swatch #audemars_piguet #royal_pop_collection #hodinkee #mark_kauzlarich
Swatch and Audemars Piguet Announce High-Profile Watch Collaboration Swatch and Audemars Piguet have confirmed their collaboration on a new watch collection, set to launch on May 16. The partnership, which has been heavily teased through social media and in-store displays, marks one of the most anticipated releases in the watch industry this year. Swatch first hinted at the collaboration last week with posts featuring the iconic Royal Oak font and the words "Royal" and "Pop," sparking widespread speculation. The announcement was finalized over the weekend, with both brands confirming the partnership and its release date. The collaboration is expected to draw significant attention due to the prestige of both brands. Audemars Piguet, known for its high-end luxury watches, is teaming up with Swatch, a brand synonymous with affordable, fashion-forward timepieces. The project is anticipated to blend Swatch’s playful design ethos with Audemars Piguet’s craftsmanship. Swatch boutiques, including its flagship store in Geneva, are already showcasing boxes or chests promoting the new Royal Pop collab, mirroring the approach used for previous collaborations with Omega and Blancpain. Details about the final product remain scarce, but several clues suggest its potential direction. The "Pop" line, a staple of Swatch’s product range since 1986, has historically reimagined timekeeping as an accessory. These watches could be detached from their straps and integrated into various holders, such as pocket watch cases, chains, lanyards, and even safety equipment like avalanche transceivers. The latest teaser campaign included an animation of colored lanyards floating through a frame, hinting at a design that could function as both a wearable timepiece and a detachable accessory.#swatch #audemars_piguet #royal_pop_collab #geneva #omega
