Swatch stores shutter amid long lines for highly anticipated collaboration release

Chaos erupted at Swatch stores from New York to London as watch enthusiasts lined up for a highly anticipated new release — only for the massive crowds to force several locations to shut their doors

Chaos erupted at Swatch stores from New York to London as watch enthusiasts lined up for a highly anticipated new release — only for the massive crowds to force several locations to shut their doors.

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The Royal Pop Collection, a collaboration between Audemars Piguet and Swatch, was released on Saturday, ranging in price from $400 to $420 a pop. But surging crowds prompted last-minute closures at multiple stores over safety concerns.

A crowd gathered outside the Swatch store at Times Square in New York for the release of Audemars Piguet x Swatch Royal Pop watches on Saturday.Getty Images“To ensure the safety of both our customers and our staff in Swatch stores, we kindly ask you not to rush to our stores in large numbers to acquire this product,” Swatch said in a social media post Saturday. “The Royal Pop Collection will remain available for several months. In some countries, queues of more than 50 people cannot be accepted, and sales may need to be paused.”