Swatch x Audemars Piguet Royal Pop collaboration finally revealed, these 8 pocket watch designs are seriously tempting

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Pocket watch designs that break the rules

We expected an affordable version of the Royal Oak, yet the officially unveiled “Royal Pop” collection has completely overturned our expectations for this collaboration. Rather than sitting obediently on the wrist, these eight new collaborative designs take inspiration from Swatch’s 1980s POP series, becoming playful pocket watches. Their Bioceramic cases are paired with high-quality calfskin cords: wear one around your neck, tie it to your favorite handbag, or place it on the included detachable stand to turn it into a compact desk clock in seconds. This unconventional way of wearing it is a genuinely pleasant surprise.

Audemars Piguet DNA in the details

Although they’ve become pocket watches, none of Audemars Piguet’s classic elements are missing. The collection comes in eight colorways, a tribute to the original 1972 Royal Oak’s octagonal bezel and eight iconic screws. The pure-white “HUIT BLANC,” for example, boldly features eight screws in different colors on its bezel. “OTTO ROSSO,” which combines pink and cherry red, adds contrast stitching to its cord, fully capturing Pop Art’s lively spirit.

A movement with 15 patents

Good looks aside, this pocket watch is just as thoughtfully made inside. It is equipped with a new hand-wound version of the SISTEM51 movement, protected by 15 patents and with a power reserve of up to 90 hours. Most excitingly, it uses a Nivachron™ antimagnetic hairspring originally developed jointly by Swatch and Audemars Piguet. Through the transparent sapphire crystal caseback, you can also admire the movement at work.

The “Royal Pop” collection is well worth watching because it successfully breaks the usual formula for affordable versions of famous watches. Audemars Piguet has also announced that all proceeds from the collaboration will go toward preserving rare watchmaking techniques. The collection will go on sale at selected Swatch stores on May 16, 2026, with a strict limit of one watch per person per day. Priced at around HK$ 2,940 / TWD 12,000, you’ll want to be ready to line up early.

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