GQ Author Ranks 8 Swatch x Audemars Piguet Royal Pop Watches Ahead of May 16 Launch
Updated
Updated · GQ · May 13
GQ Author Ranks 8 Swatch x Audemars Piguet Royal Pop Watches Ahead of May 16 Launch
8 articles · Updated · GQ · May 13
Eight Swatch x Audemars Piguet Royal Pop models were ranked less than 24 hours after the collection’s unveiling, with Huit Blanc placed first and Lan Ba second.
Huit Blanc led because its white case, rainbow indices and multicolor screws were seen as the best balance of playful Swatch styling and recognizable Royal Oak cues.
Lan Ba stood out for its savonette layout—one of 2 such versions in the 8-watch lineup—which echoes historic pocket-watch design and could better suit any aftermarket wrist-strap conversion.
The ranking arrives as collectors debate whether the collaboration will hurt Audemars Piguet values and whether the watches will justify expected lines and resale premiums when they reach Swatch stores on May 16.
Will the 'Royal Pop' pocket watch create a collecting frenzy that eclipses the legendary MoonSwatch phenomenon?
Beyond the hype, could this affordable pocket watch collaboration unexpectedly revolutionize how we wear timepieces?
Is CEO Ilaria Resta's 'radical openness' a visionary strategy or a fatal miscalculation for Audemars Piguet's legacy?