The watch industry has seen many surprising collaborations over the last few years, but nothing created confusion and excitement like the new Swatch × Audemars Piguet “Royal Pop” collection. After the massive success of the Omega MoonSwatch and Blancpain collaborations, people expected Swatch to eventually partner with another ultra-luxury brand. But very few expected Audemars Piguet — one of the most respected names in haute horology — to join the trend.
What shocked people even more was the product itself.
Instead of launching an affordable Royal Oak wristwatch, Swatch and AP introduced colorful wearable pocket watches inspired by the vintage Swatch POP collection from the 1980s. The design combines playful Swatch styling with visual elements inspired by the legendary Royal Oak aesthetic.
The collection uses Swatch’s signature bioceramic material, bright color themes, oversized styling, and removable watch-head construction. The goal was not to create a cheap Royal Oak clone, but rather a fashion-focused collectible that merges nostalgia, streetwear culture, and luxury watch branding.
Prices start around $400–$420, which is dramatically cheaper than an actual Audemars Piguet watch, where even entry-level models often cost tens of thousands of dollars.
The collaboration instantly became one of the most talked-about releases in the watch world because it sits in a strange space between luxury, art, fashion, and hype culture. Some collectors love the creativity, while others believe AP should never have partnered with Swatch in the first place.
Regardless of opinion, one thing is clear: Swatch has completely changed how younger audiences interact with luxury watch brands.
Official announcement from Audemars Piguet
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