Audemars Piguet x Swatch Royal Pop Collection: All The Details
For many luxury watch lovers, owning the Royal Oak watch from Audemars Piguet feels like the ultimate goal. But well, it’s really no wonder, as AP is one of the most desirable luxury watch brands in the world, and their iconic Royal Oak instantly signals status, taste, and a deep appreciation for horology. However, for most people, the Royal Oak ends up remaining more like a fantasy than reality, as the prices, even for the “starter” models, start at about five figures, and the waitlists … oh, those waitlists are some of the most ruthless in the industry.
That’s exactly why the launch of the new Audemars Piguet x Swatch collaboration on May 16 ended up sending the watch world into complete meltdown mode.
I mean, I really haven’t seen anything like this in quite some time (and trust me, I am no stranger to standing in line for the latest designer drops — especially when it’s something that I really want). The people were pretty much camping outside their local Swatch stores, sleeping bags and all, just to get a chance at being first in.
And I get it. An “Audemars Piguet” that you can just casually throw into your bag without getting a heart attack over the price tag — just give me one already! And if you, too, are interested, here is everything you need to know about the latest AP x Swatch collaboration.
Backstory
Swatch is no stranger to collaborations. In fact, over the past few years, the brand has done quite a few, starting with the now-iconic collaboration with Omega back in 2022 when the MoonSwatch collection took the legendary Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch — one of the most recognizable watches ever made — and reimagined it in colorful bioceramic.
And as you can already imagine, people were obsessed. So much so that then came the collaboration between Swatch and Blancpain in 2023. This time though, Swatch reinterpreted the legendary Fifty Fathoms dive watch. Btw, that’s exactly when the rumors about a potential Audemars Piguet collaboration started circulating around! I mean, if Swatch had already collaborated with two of Switzerland’s most respected watchmakers, AP collaboration almost feels like a must! And people were right.
Audemars Piguet x Swatch “Royal Pop” Collection
On May 8th, 2026, Audemars Piguet and Swatch unveiled Royal Pop, a new collection that brings together creativity and audacity with haute horlogerie. Inspired by Pop Art, this collaboration reinterprets Royal Oak iconic codes through a disruptive pocket watch, available in eight models and designed to be worn in multiple ways: around the neck, in the pocket, as a bag charm or as an accessory.
Arriving in bioceramic, the Royal Pop incorporates key Royal Oak signatures, including the “Petite Tapisserie” pattern, the octagonal bezel, and its eight hexagonal screws. The collection is also powered by Swatch’s innovative SISTEM51 movement, offering over 90 hours of power reserve.
According to Ilaria Resta, the CEO of Audemars Piguet, this collection invites a broader audience including the younger generations to experience mechanical watchmaking differently.
How to Buy
So, as I’ve already mentioned it earlier, at the launch on May 16th, many people camped outside Swatch stores for a chance to get their hands on the collab. Obviously, many thought that this would be their only chance. But this turned out to be false, as Swatch has since announced that the collection is going to remain available via select stores worldwide for the next several months (though purchases are going to be limited to one watch per person, per day, and per store).
With that being said: if you can’t make it to a Swatch store in person, you can find the AP Royal Pop collection online through reseller sites like StockX. However, in this case, you’ll probably have to pay a reseller premium, which, btw, has been going down since Swatch announced additional availability through their stores. And just so you know what to expect: the suggested retail price of the Swatch x Audermars Piguet release is $400.
