The veil has finally been lifted on one of the industry’s most talked-about collaborations, as the Audemars Piguet x Swatch Royal Pop collection has been officially unveiled. Judging by the early reaction, long queues outside Swatch boutiques are about to become a familiar sight once again.
Watch enthusiasts will recall that a few years ago Swatch announced its collaboration with Omega. The MoonSwatch launch drew crowds to Swatch stores worldwide, while the union of the two brands quickly became one of the defining watch stories of the year. Now, in 2027, Swatch returns with another headline-making partnership, this time joining forces with Audemars Piguet in a move few anticipated.
As with previous collaborations, Swatch released a teaser campaign several weeks ahead of the launch, subtly hinting at Audemars Piguet’s involvement. The watch community immediately began speculating whether the campaign pointed toward a genuine collaboration or merely another surprise announcement. On the evening of May 12, however, images from the collection confirmed the rumors. The two brands officially introduced the Audemars Piguet x Swatch “Royal Pop” collection, consisting of eight pocket watches presented across two distinct stylistic interpretations.
Swatch describes the collaboration as “more than a meeting of joyful audacity and positive provocation with haute horlogerie.” The unexpectedly playful collection merges the unmistakable design language of Audemars Piguet’s Royal Oak with the vibrant spirit of Swatch’s 1980s POP series. The watches are offered in two traditional pocket-watch configurations: Lépine and Savonette.
Each model reinterprets the Royal Oak’s iconic dial architecture and signature octagonal bezel design. The 40 mm cases are crafted from Swatch’s patented Bioceramic material, while the detachable strap system is offered in three different lengths. Depending on the chosen configuration, the watches can be worn on the wrist, attached to a bag, or displayed on a desk, reinforcing the collaboration’s ambition to challenge conventional notions of how a timepiece can be worn and experienced.
Powering the Audemars Piguet x Swatch “Royal Pop” collection is Swatch’s SISTEM51 movement. The hand-wound calibre delivers an impressive 90-hour power reserve and displays hours and minutes across the collection, while the two Savonette-style models additionally feature a subsidiary seconds indication.
The six Lépine-style models position the crown at 12 o’clock, in keeping with the classic pocket-watch layout. The two Savonette-style references, meanwhile, relocate the crown to the side of the case at 3 o’clock and incorporate a subsidiary seconds display at 6 o’clock. These two models have been named “Lan Ba” and “Otg Roz.” While the Lan Ba embraces varying shades of blue, the Otg Roz fully embodies Swatch’s concept of “joyful audacity,” pairing a pink case with a yellow bezel and a vivid turquoise dial for an unmistakably exuberant aesthetic.
The Audemars Piguet x Swatch “Royal Pop” collection will be released on May 16 at selected Swatch boutiques worldwide. At the time of writing, the brand has not announced whether the collection will officially be available in Türkiye.
For further information on the Audemars Piguet x Swatch “Royal Pop” collection, and to explore Turkish retail pricing, readers can visit the official Swatch website.
