Two of Switzerland’s most recognizable watchmakers are officially joining forces.
Swatch confirmed on Instagram that it is collaborating with luxury watchmaker Audemars Piguet on a new project blending high-end watchmaking with Swatch’s colorful, accessible identity.
“Introducing Audemars Piguet x Swatch,” the company wrote online. “A disruptive collaboration that fuses joyful boldness and positive provocation with the art of haute horlogerie.”
It’s set to release on Saturday, May 16.
The partnership has already sparked major conversation across the watch world, with fans and collectors speculating that the release could follow the massive success of Swatch’s previous collaborations with Omega and Blancpain.
Swatch’s teaser campaign has been building for weeks through cryptic advertisements, social media posts, and references to the phrase “Royal Pop,” which many believe is tied to Audemars Piguet’s iconic Royal Oak line. The “pop” in the title seems to refer to pop art — at least if the social media posts’ artwork and design are to be believed. It may also refer to Swatch’s “Pop Swatch” line of watches you can pop off the band and put on a keychain.
The upcoming release is expected to arrive on May 16, with reports suggesting the design could feature a colorful reinterpretation of the Royal Oak aesthetic using Swatch’s BioCeramic materials and Sistem51 mechanical movement technology.
While official details remain limited, Swatch described the project as an effort to “bring future generations to the world of mechanical watches.”
The announcement comes after Swatch’s previous high-profile collaborations generated enormous demand worldwide. The Omega x Swatch MoonSwatch release in 2022 caused massive lines outside stores and became one of the most talked-about launches in modern watch culture.
Audemars Piguet, meanwhile, has increasingly embraced pop culture partnerships in recent years through collaborations with figures including Travis Scott and brands like Marvel.
