Ten days after Swatch’s first teaser, the much-anticipated Swatch and Audemars Piguet Royal Pop collaboration is finally revealed. Haute horlogerie meets exuberant design and bold hues, offering a playful provocation that we can already see gaining attention on the internet.
Featuring polka dots, vivid colours, and a digital pad-printed case back, the collection evidently draws inspiration from 1950s Pop Art. While the eight playful colour combinations lean into Swatch’s DNA, hallmarks of the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak appear through its vertical satin finish on the bezel and case back, octagonal case construction, “Petite Tapisserie” dial, and signature exposed hexagonal screw.
Each model houses Swatch’s SISTEM51 movement, reimagined in a new hand-wound form with 15 patented innovations. It delivers a 90-hour power reserve and is equipped with an anti-magnetic Nivachron balance spring with laser-based precision calibration. The crown, case, and lanyard attachment are all made of bioceramic, with a unique composition for elevated strength and smoothness. Two sapphire crystals embed the front and back of the case, while Grade A Super-LumiNova coats the hour and minute markers for enhanced nighttime visibility.
The launch is available in two versions: the Lépine-style layout and the Savonnette-style pocket watch. The Lépine spans six models, featuring a crown at 12 o’clock and a two-hand display, emphasising symmetry and simplicity. On the other hand, the Savonnette-style pocket watch features the crown at 3 o’clock and a small seconds subdial at 6 o’clock.
Ocho Negro
Orenji Hachi
Blaue Acht
Green Eight
Huit Blanc
Otto Rosso
Lan Ba
Otg Roz
A limitless collaboration
Beyond the mechanism, what makes the release even more intriguing is its versatility as a pocket watch, inspired by the vintage Swatch POP concept. Users can wear the Royal Pop line around the neck, in a pocket, or as a carabiner or bag charm.
“Audacity is often the starting point of innovation and new ideas,” said Ilaria Resta, the CEO of Audemars Piguet. The partnership, with logos engraved on the dial and crown, also allows a broader audience to experience mechanical watchmaking in a more accessible way.
The collection will be available at selected Swatch stores worldwide starting May 16th. The Lépine models cost RM1,720, while the Savonnette models cost RM1,840. Following previous Swatch collaborations, sales are limited to one watch per person, per day, and per store.