Audemars Piguet x Swatch will debut its Royal Pop pocket-watch collection on May 16, 2026, the two companies said in a joint statement.
The collaboration is billed as a pop-art reinterpretation of two iconic designs: Audemars Piguet’s Royal Oak case, first introduced in 1972, and Swatch’s 1980s POP watch. The companies said the collection uses a Swiss-made bioceramic octagonal bezel and crown that echoes the Royal Oak silhouette, and each case is fitted with sapphire crystals on both sides so wearers can see the movement.
The collection will be offered in eight distinct colorways that play off the Royal Oak case geometry and its signature eight screws. Buyers can choose between two pocket-watch formats: the Savonnette, with the crown at the 3 o’clock position and a small seconds subdial at 6 o’clock, and the Lépine, with the crown at 12 o’clock and a simplified two-hand display.
Audemars Piguet and Swatch said the watches use Swatch’s signature SISTEM51 movement, with a newly developed manual-wind variant. The new movement holds more than 90 hours of power reserve and incorporates 15 active patents, according to the companies.
The companies said the movements include a Nivachron hairspring co-developed with Audemars Piguet, chosen for its antimagnetic properties, and that each watch receives laser precision regulation before leaving the factory. Collectors will find the movement visible through the caseback sapphire, the companies added.
AP x Swatch’s pocket-watch concept removes the constraint of a wrist, and the collection comes with high-quality calf-leather straps with contrast stitching. The straps are intended for multiple uses, the companies said, including wearing the watch as a pendant, wrapping it around the wrist, or attaching it to a handbag. Each piece ships with three strap-length options and a removable small stand that converts the watch into a desk clock.
The collaboration name appears as Royal Pop throughout the companies’ materials. Audemars Piguet and Swatch said the line is a limited production run across the eight colorways, and that more details, including pricing and regional availability, will be released closer to the May 16 retail date.
Collectors and fans should expect official updates from Audemars Piguet and Swatch, the companies said, including stores and online channels where the pieces will be sold. For now, the May 16 launch date is the clearest timeline the brands have provided.
