New Finds
The Audemars Piguet x Swatch collaboration gives a playful twist on the iconic Royal Oak
Audemars Piguet and Swatch have joined forces to introduce the Royal Pop: a playful, reimagined take on the iconic Royal Oak.
Drawing inspiration from the Swatch POP era back in the 1980s, the Royal Pop features eight new models as a nod to the Royal Oak’s eight-sided bezel and those famous hexagonal screws.
Swatch and AP didn't cut corners here. Each watch has the "Petite Tapisserie" dial pattern that has defined the Royal Oak since 1972, with the crown, case, and lanyard attachment made of Bioceramic—two-thirds ceramic powder and one-third biosourced material derived from castor oil—that gives it some strength and smoothness.
The watches come in two pocket-watch formats: the Lépine, characterized by its 12 o’clock crown with six models, and the Savonnette, which has a winding crown at 3 o'clock and a small-seconds counter at 6 o’clock with two models.
Have a look at each item in the collection in the gallery below.
Aside from its bright colors, adding more fun to the team-up is its off-the-wrist feature, with three lanyard length options and a small removable stand. This means you can use it however you like: around your neck, on your handbag, on your desk, or even in your pocket for that classic feel.
But don't let its playful elements fool you. The collection boasts some serious horology with its hand-wound version of Swatch’s famous SISTEM51 movement, the first and only mechanical movement with fully automated assembly, featuring 15 active patents. It also includes the anti-magnetic Nivachron™ balance spring, which was co-developed by AP.
With an AP x Swatch watch, you get a massive 90-hour power reserve. There's also an interesting visual trick on the new drop: The barrel drum, which holds the power, changes color. If it’s gray, you need to wind it; if it’s gold, it's on full power and ready to go.
The Royal Pop is now available exclusively at select Swatch stores starting at P27,000. Note that the "one watch per person, per day, and per selected store" applies. Find the nearest Swatch branch to you via this store locator.
