WATCHES & STYLE

Audemars Piguet x Swatch Unveil the Royal Pop Collection in an Eyecatching Pocket Watch Form

by Portfolio Magazine
13 May 2026

Audemars Piguet and Swatch are pushing the boundaries of traditional watch design with Royal Pop – a new collaboration that can be worn around the neck, clipped to a bag, or displayed on a desk.

Swiss watchmaking meets Pop Art exuberance in the latest collaboration between Swatch and Audemars Piguet. Called Royal Pop, the new collection takes inspiration from the legendary Royal Oak and transforms it into something playful, colourful, and unexpected.

Orenji Hachi
Huit Blanc

Rather than a wristwatch, Royal Pop arrives as a pocket watch inspired by the Swatch POP models of the 1980s. Designed to be worn in multiple ways, the watch can hang around the neck with a calfskin lanyard, clip onto a handbag, slip into a pocket, or even sit on a desk using a removable stand. 

The collection comprises eight Swiss-made Bioceramic models, a number chosen as a nod to the Royal Oak’s signature octagonal bezel and its eight hexagonal screws. Each piece channels the instantly recognisable design language of the Royal Oak, from the iconic “Petite Tapisserie” dial pattern to the satin-finished case details, while introducing vibrant colour palettes inspired by the energy of Pop Art.


(Related: Audemars Piguet refreshes the Royal Oak Offshore)

Blaue Acht
Otto Rosso
Green Eight

Underneath the playful exterior is some serious watchmaking credibility. The watches are powered by Swatch’s SISTEM51 movement, now reworked into a new hand-wound version with 15 active patents. Known for being the only fully automated Swiss-made mechanical movement, SISTEM51 offers over 90 hours of power reserve alongside anti-magnetic technology developed in collaboration with Audemars Piguet.

Collectors will also appreciate the transparent caseback, which partially reveals the movement and its colourful detailing. One standout feature is the visible barrel drum, which doubles as a power reserve indicator. When the chambers appear gold, the watch is fully wound. When they turn grey, it is time to wind again.

Ocho Negro
Làn Ba

The collection is split into two styles. Six models adopt the classic Lépine-style pocket watch design with the crown positioned at 12 o’clock, while two Savonnette-style versions place the crown at 3 o’clock and include a small seconds subdial.

As with previous Swatch collaborations, exclusivity will no doubt fuel demand. The Audemars Piguet × Swatch Royal Pop collection launches on 16 May 2026 at selected Swatch stores worldwide, with purchases limited to one watch per person, per day, and per store. Retail price starts at S$535. 


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