Swatch is seeking a Royal Pop from Audemars Piguet hype

THE watch world is losing its collective mind over the Royal Pop, a collaboration between Swatch Group, best known for its brightly coloured plastic timepieces, and Audemars Piguet, one of the world’s most successful upmarket horologists.

After a week of fevered speculation, the two companies revealed that they are joining forces on a US$400 pocket watch that blends Swatch’s “Pop” line from the 1980s with Audemars’ iconic Royal Oak wristwatch.

Swatch could do with a lift. Four years ago, its MoonSwatch, which leaned on the look and heritage of sister brand Omega’s Speedmaster Moonwatch, became a global phenomenon, selling around three million timepieces in 2022 to 2023.