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HISTORICAL FACTS: Swatch group - The Untold Story

As violence breaks out over design drops, who's taking responsibility?

People are coming to blows over brands, and it needs to stop.

Creative Bloq

You can get the Audemars Piguet x Swatch Royal Pop for as little as £1 this Sunday – here's how

With scalpers charging thousands and queues sprawling over major cities, this might be your best chance to snag one.

T3 Quiz #3, 22nd May 2026 – Google I/O, Swatch store carnage and more

Reckon you can top the T3 leaderboard? Put your skills to the test!

From analysis to the latest developments in health,
read the most diverse news in one place.

I'm a watch expert – this is how to buy the Audemars Piguet x Swatch Royal Pop

Looking to get your hands on the hottest watch of 2026? Here is my top tip.

Swatch brawls: why are people fighting over pocket watches?

So now we know exactly what you get when you cross two distinct brands of Swiss watch-making, one affordable (Swatch) and one luxury (Audemars Piguet). You get a new model of watch that attracts massive hype, huge queues and brawling customers.

The Conversation

Swatch boss defends chaotic watch launch after safety fears

Mr Hayek ultimately described the launch as ‘extraordinary’

The Independent UK

Swatch boss defends ‘extraordinary’ Royal Pop launch

Demand for the watch, which costs from £335 and is not available to buy online, led to police being called to overcrowding at multiple stores.

Evening Standard

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The chaos at Swatch stores isn't poor planning – it's marketing genius working exactly as it should

If you're looking to snag the cheapest Audemars Piguet out there, you'll need to find an open Swatch store.

Swatch fans left frustrated as stores stay closed amid watch frenzy

Dozens of shoppers gathered outside a Swatch store in Lyon hoping to buy a sought-after watch released with Audemars Piguet, only to find the shop closed following disturbances and stock shortages.

Euronews

The real reason shoppers are queuing in London, Singapore, and New York for Swatch’s new release

The Swiss watchmaker has assured the public that there is no shortage of its Royal Pop collaboration with the luxury timepiece brand Audemars Piguet

The Independent UK

How a Swatch watch became a collector’s item – and caused chaos around the world

IN FOCUS: The limited edition Audemars collaboration, a pocket watch on a lanyard, has prompted shoppers to go into meltdown – and the ‘Royal Pop’ is already worth thousands of pounds online. A puzzled Katie Rosseinsky looks at the latest trend for performative shopping

The Independent UK

Chaos erupts across UK as ‘mob-like’ crowds storm shops for £335 luxury watch drop

A frenzy of excitement clashed with chaos across the UK as watch aficionados flocked to purchase a rare limited-edition Swatch and Audemars Piguet timepiece. In bustling urban centres, reports of crowd surges and police crowd control measures emerged as fans sought the stunning £335 'Royal Pop' pocket watch, which retails…

The Times of India

Swatch stores swarmed by crowds as limited-edition watch release turns chaotic

Swatch has been forced to close numerous stores across the world as mass crowds queuing for a new watch sparked safety concerns.

The Independent UK

Pop watch mania: Swatch appeals for calm as clamour continues for its 'Royal Pop'

The Swiss watchmaker Swatch has been forced to shut several of its stores around the world as a frenzy spreads over its new pocket watch collection made in collaboration with luxury timepiece brand, Audemars Piguet.

Euronews

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International Business Times UK

Swatch Mob Stampedes Long Island Mall For Special AP Release As Cop Pepper-Sprays Crowd

A crowd surged into a Long Island mall during a high-demand Swatch and Audemars Piguet release, prompting police intervention. Authorities used pepper spray to disperse the gathering as concerns grow over retail crowd safety.

The Independent UK

Swatch stores in UK shut as crowds gather to snap up new watch

IN FULL

The Independent UK

Swatch forced to close stores after arrests and safety fears at watch launch

Swatch forced to close a number of stores for a second day following launch of new pocket watch

Evening Standard

Swatch closes London stores over huge crowds seeking limited edition watch

Clips show stampedes of shoppers eager to get their hands on the new watch

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news in one place.

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The Guardian - UK

‘It was like a mosh pit’: Swatch closes stores as watch launch causes crowding and scuffles

Paris police used teargas on Saturday and UK shops stayed shut on Sunday after rush for Royal Pop timepieces

The Economic Times

‘We are not animals’: How AP x Swatch ‘Royal Pop’ launch spiralled into chaos across cities

The highly anticipated Audemars Piguet x Swatch "Royal Pop" watch launch descended into chaos across multiple cities, including Bengaluru, Mumbai, Delhi, and Dubai. Massive crowds, long queues, and safety concerns led to cancelled store openings and frustrated buyers, with some calling it one of the wildest retail scenes in years.

The Economic Times

300-person lines in Tokyo, chaos in Dubai: A $400 Swatch is breaking the watch world today

Huge crowds gathered for limited edition Swatch and Audemars Piguet pocket watches. Lines formed for days, with some stores closing due to safety concerns. Incidents of pushing and shoving occurred in several cities. Police used tear gas in France to control crowds. Many buyers aimed to resell the watches at…

The Independent UK

Swatch shutters stores as demand for collaboration with Audemars Piguet peaks

Collaboration was announced earlier this week sending watch lovers into a frenzy

Euronews

When two become one: Old and new watchmakers collaborate to change perception of time

The bold move is part of Audemars Piguet CEO Ilaria Resta’s drive to push the boundaries of an industry whose reputation is often hampered by entrenched assumptions.

I hate pocket watches but I love the Audemars Piguet x Swatch Royal Pop – here's why

Here's everything we know about the hottest watch of 2026.

The Independent UK

Audemars Piguet unveils collaboration with affordable watch brand — and they could cost less than $500

The highly anticipated partnership will launch May 16

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