Swatch and Audemars Piguet Introduce the “Royal Pop”

Why It Matters

The Royal Pop blurs the line between haute horology and fashion, opening new revenue streams and reinforcing brand relevance among younger consumers.

Key Takeaways

• Swatch and Audemars Piguet launch “Royal Pop” pendant accessory
• Design mirrors Royal Oak with octagonal bezel, hexagonal screws
• Hand‑wound movement offers 90‑hour power reserve, first for lanyard
• Prices range $400‑$420; Leon style at $400, Savinet at $420
• AP pledges 100% profits to preserve watchmaking savoir‑faire

Summary

Swiss luxury brand Audemars Piguet has teamed with fashion‑forward Swatch to unveil the “Royal Pop,” a wearable pendant inspired by the iconic Royal Oak.

The accessory retains the Royal Oak’s DNA—petite‑tapisserie dial, octagonal bezel, eight hexagonal screws—and houses a hand‑wound calibre 51 movement delivering over 90 hours of power reserve, a first for a non‑wrist piece.

Two design variants are offered: the Leon style with a crown at 12 displaying hours and minutes, and the Savinet version with a crown at 3 and a small‑seconds sub‑dial. Pricing is $400 for Leon and $420 for Savinet, and AP will donate 100 % of profits to preserve watchmaking savoir‑faire.

By merging haute horology with street‑wear utility, the collaboration expands luxury branding into new lifestyle segments, while the profit‑donation model underscores a growing emphasis on heritage preservation in the industry.