Swatch and Audemars Piguet Collaboration Launches Amid Chaos and Arrests
Chaos at Swatch stores as collaboration with luxury watchmaker Audemars Piguet launches, with anger, arrests and huge groups cutting in line ahead of fans who'd waited all night

Image: Mail Online
The launch of the Swatch and Audemars Piguet Royal Pop watch collection led to chaos at stores across the US, resulting in fights, arrests, and store closures for safety reasons. The collection features eight color variations priced between $400 and $420, significantly lower than typical Audemars Piguet watches, which can cost over $36,000.
- 01At least 17 Swatch stores were closed across the US due to safety concerns during the launch.
- 02Three individuals were arrested in Austin, Texas, for criminal trespassing amid crowd violence.
- 03Swatch reported that the Royal Pop Collection is not a limited edition, despite the high demand.
- 04Some watches from the collection are already being resold online for nearly $8,500.
- 05Incidents of violence and crowd control issues were reported in cities including Houston, Austin, and New York City.
Advertisement
In-Article Ad
The launch of the Swatch and Audemars Piguet Royal Pop collection on Saturday sparked significant chaos across the United States, as fans eagerly lined up to purchase the new watches. The collection features eight colorful designs priced between $400 and $420, a stark contrast to the typical Audemars Piguet Royal Oak models, which can range from $36,600 to $112,700. Due to overwhelming demand, Swatch closed at least 17 stores in various states, including California, Florida, New York, Texas, and Michigan, citing public safety concerns. Reports of fights breaking out among customers were widespread, with several incidents leading to police involvement. In Austin, Texas, three individuals were arrested for criminal trespassing after refusing to disperse when asked by law enforcement. Swatch acknowledged the extraordinary demand for the collection but emphasized that it is not a limited edition. The company warned customers against rushing to stores, as some individuals were already reselling the watches online for as much as $8,500. Similar chaos was reported internationally in Switzerland, France, and England.
Advertisement
In-Article Ad
The chaos at Swatch stores reflects the high demand for luxury collaborations and the potential for safety issues during product launches.
Advertisement
In-Article Ad
Reader Poll
What do you think about the chaos at the Swatch launch?
Connecting to poll...
More about Swatch
Chaos Erupts at Audemars Piguet x Swatch 'Royal Pop' Launch Across Multiple Cities
The Economic Times • May 17, 2026

Chaos Erupts Over Swatch and Audemars Piguet Pocket Watch Launch in California
New York Post • May 17, 2026

Des Toulousains passent la nuit dehors pour une montre Swatch exclusive
Ladepeche • May 16, 2026
Read the original article
Visit the source for the complete story.





