Swatch and Audemars Piguet built up the anticipation around the Royal Pop, then, predictably, could not wait until the May 16th to make it official.
The Audemars Piguet x Swatch “Royal Pop” is presented in Swatch’s proprietary bioceramic (plastic) material, with the unmistakable, and highly desirable Gerald Genta-octagonal-shaped case design. The case measures 40 mm x 8.4 mm, without the clip, and 44.2 mm x 53.2 mm when mounted.
Perhaps as iconic as the case shape, is the dial, which receives Audemars Piguet’s signature “Petite Tapisserie” treatment, although it’s been produced in way that does not compare to the traditional guilloche-work process used for the real Royal Oak.
Interestingly, the Royal Oak-style hands and indices made it onto the Royal Pop, and even the eight hexagonal bezel/case screws have carried over from Audemars Piguet’s Royal Oak, it’s not clear if the screws are functional in the way they are with the real Royal Oak.
Under the dial, is a new manually wound Swatch Sistem 51 mechanical movement that drives hours and minutes for six references, and hours, minutes, plus small seconds for the other two references. The movement features a Nivachron balance spring, is the subject of 15 patents, and has an impressive power reserve of 90 hours, plus there’s a indicator visible through the clear caseback to monitor the remaining power levels. The biggest caveat to a mechanical timepiece, that’s essentially not able to be serviced or replaced, is that once it breaks, it’s done.
The holder clip is crafted from bioceramic with a calfskin lanyard. With a 20 meter water-resistant rating, the Royal Pop is best kept out of the water. Retail is $400 for the six Lépine, (12 o’clock crown versions) and $420 for the two Savonette, (3 o’clock crown variations). Initial availability begins May 16, 2026, in person, at select Swatch stores, such as New York and Denver.
Final Thoughts
Whether you like the Royal Pop or not, whether you want a pocket watch or not, Swatch and Audemars Piguet have certainly created excitement, at a time when most new watch releases in 2026 have failed to generate the passion they once did. The online frenzy the Royal Pop collaboration has caused, may not live up to the MoonSwatch Mania that happened in 2022, but at least it shows that when watch industry leaders thinks outside the box, with the end consumer in mind, it’s still possible to create something truly novel and exciting.
Photos by Swatch/Audemars Piguet.
