{"id":1724,"date":"2026-05-16T19:31:08","date_gmt":"2026-05-16T19:31:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/houstonmovingjournal.com\/?p=1724"},"modified":"2026-05-16T19:31:08","modified_gmt":"2026-05-16T19:31:08","slug":"swatch-ap-watch-collab-gets-massive-crowds-police-respond-at-multiple-stores","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/houstonmovingjournal.com\/?p=1724","title":{"rendered":"Swatch, AP watch collab gets massive crowds, police respond at multiple stores"},"content":{"rendered":"
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People wait in line to enter the Swatch store in Times Square in New York on May 16, 2026, ahead of the Audemars Piguet x Swatch Royal Pop watch release. (Photo by Rapha\u00eblle PELTIER \/ AFP via Getty Images)<\/span> <\/p>

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A watch launch prompted crowds in the hundreds at stores and malls across the country Saturday.\u00a0<\/p>

The crowds were so large and rowdy in some locations that police were called, and some people were cited and even arrested.\u00a0<\/p>

Swatch AP collab<\/h2>

The backstory:<\/p>

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Last week, a collaboration was announced between Swiss watchmakers Swatch and Audemars Piguet. Audemars Piguet is a higher-end watch line, with Swatch\u2019s pieces more on the affordable end.\u00a0<\/p>

Dig deeper:<\/p>

Several days later,\u00a0more details were dropped<\/u> about the collaboration, called the Royal Pop Collection \u2013 marrying “Audemars Piguet’s iconic Royal Oak and Swatch’s POP watches from the 1980s.” The pieces look like a stopwatch reimagined, with a timepiece hung on a lanyard or keychain of sorts.\u00a0<\/p>

Eight versions are available, for $400 and $420, according to The New York Times.\u00a0<\/p>

Big picture view:<\/p>

Despite mixed reaction on social media, massive crowds rushed stores across the country Saturday when the product became available. Crowds got so heavy that police were called at several locations, and Swatch announced more than a dozen stores were closing for the day.\u00a0<\/p>

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A massive crowd outside Somerset Mall in Troy, Mich. Saturday, May 16, 2026, awaiting the release of the Swatch x AP collab. (WJBK FOX 2 Detroit)<\/span> <\/p>

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Local perspective:<\/p>

At Somerset Mall in suburban Detroit, two people were cited for trespassing after refusing to leave when asked by mall security. Local police in Troy estimated hundreds of people had showed up.\u00a0<\/p>

READ MORE:\u00a0<\/strong>Large crowd at Troy’s Somerset Mall prompts police response during watch release<\/u><\/strong><\/p>

And outside of Philadelphia in King of Prussia, police said some people broke down doors trying to get inside before the mall opened. One person was arrested.\u00a0<\/p>

READ MORE:\u00a0<\/strong>‘Defiant’ crowd breaks down doors at King of Prussia Mall before Swatch release, police say<\/u><\/strong><\/p>

Swatch stores closed for safety<\/h2>