Swatch and Audemars Piguet Bet on Pocket-Watch Hype with Royal Pop

Swatch is teaming with Audemars Piguet on a new collaboration called Royal Pop, widely expected to be a pocket-watch–style piece with a Royal Oak silhouette. No official images have been released yet, but teasers hint at clip-on straps and a design that could resemble a pocket watch. The first in-store drop is planned for May 16 at select Swatch locations, aiming to recreate the MoonSwatch craze. The project nods to Swatch’s 1980s Pop line and could turn the RO-inspired piece into a versatile accessory or desk/display item. Former AP CEO François-Henry Bennahmias has spoken positively about collaborations educating younger audiences about iconic watchmaking, and anticipation suggests long lines and strong hype around the reveal.