Shoppers in Hong Kong have formed queues stretching several blocks, eagerly anticipating the launch of the “Royal Pop” pocket watches, a collaboration between luxury watchmaker Audemars Piguet and Swatch. On Thursday evening, a South China Morning Post reporter observed approximately 50 individuals queuing just metres from the Swatch store on Kai Chiu Road in Causeway Bay. “If you don’t try, you don’t win,” remarked one hopeful individual, identified only as Jackson. He underscored the rare chance, asking, “How many opportunities do you have in your lifetime to get an AP?”
The “Royal Pop” collection, featuring pocket-style ceramic watches available in eight colours, is scheduled for release on Saturday. The collaboration has generated significant online buzz since its announcement. A major draw is the opportunity to acquire an Audemars Piguet-branded item for a fraction of the cost of the Swiss watchmaker’s traditional Royal Oak timepieces. These luxury models can run into hundreds of thousands of Hong Kong dollars and are often scarce even for affluent buyers. In stark contrast, the Swatch collaboration pieces are priced between HK$2,940 (US$375) and HK$3,150 in Hong Kong, depending on the specific model, according to the brand’s website.
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