The New Audemars Piguet × Swatch Watches Are Basically Jewelry Now

I genuinely didn’t think the Audemars Piguet × Swatch collab could get any more dramatic after the first launches, but somehow they’ve turned the Royal Oak into a pocket watch and made it feel cool again.

The new Royal Pop collection takes inspiration from vintage Swatch POP watches from the ‘80s, mixed with the iconic Royal Oak design, except now everything comes in bright Bioceramic colors and can be worn pretty much however you want. Around your neck, clipped onto a bag, sitting on your desk, or still technically on your wrist if you want to be traditional about it.

I Kind Of Love That These Feel More Like Accessories Than Watches

What immediately stood out to me is how playful the whole collection feels. Luxury watches can sometimes feel a little intimidating or overly serious, but these don’t have that energy at all.

The oversized pocket-watch shape, colorful details, and calfskin lanyards make them feel more like part of an outfit than just a watch. I can already picture someone wearing one layered over a tiny white tank and oversized trousers or clipped onto a vintage bag charm-style.

Even the colorways sound fun. One of the models, HUIT BLANC, has all eight screws on the bezel in different colors, which honestly feels very Gen Z-coded for a luxury watch release.

The Tiny Details Are What Make Them Feel Expensive

Even though the collection is playful, the watchmaking side still feels really serious. The watches use Swatch’s SISTEM51 mechanical movement, which has over 90 hours of power reserve and is partially visible through the transparent caseback.

I also love that the Royal Oak details are still there. The “Petite Tapisserie” textured dial, octagonal bezel, satin finishes, and exposed screws still make it instantly recognizable, just way more colorful and unexpected now.

The pocket-watch format also weirdly works with fashion right now because accessories are getting more chaotic again. People are layering charms onto bags, adding random pendants to outfits, and treating practical items like styling pieces. This feels very in line with that.

I Feel Like Watches Are Becoming Personality Pieces Again

For a while, watches felt very quiet luxury to me. Minimal, neutral, safe. But this collection feels way more expressive.

I like that these don’t really take themselves too seriously while still looking collectible. They feel more personal, which is probably why I can already see them becoming one of those fashion-person accessories everyone suddenly wants this summer.

Also, making a luxury-inspired watch that can literally hang off your bag instead of sitting on your wrist all day is objectively fun. Fashion needs more of that energy.