Swatch’s launch of the “Royal Pop” pocket watches, created in collaboration with luxury watchmaker Audemars Piguet, draws large queues and leads to crowd disorder at multiple locations in Europe and the United States, according to reports. Several outlets describe hundreds of people waiting outside stores for days before the release date of May 18, with some clashes between shoppers as the opening window approaches. In some countries, police intervene to manage crowds. Reports include accounts of police callouts and use of crowd-control measures, such as tear gas, while other outlets cite pepper spray and arrests.
Multiple sources say Swatch closes some stores or halts access for safety reasons after crowds become too large or unsafe. Affected stores are reported in parts of Europe and in the US, with at least 17 US stores said to be closed as of Saturday due to public safety considerations. Retailers also capped or limited queues in some places. Several outlets note the watches retail at around $400 to $420 and at roughly £335 in the UK, while resale prices rise sharply online, fueling further demand and hype.
