Are We Ready for a Swatch x Audemars Piguet Collab?

The horology rumor mill erupted after Swatch recently teased a "Royal Pop" collection dropping on May 16, with even the most casual of watch sleuths speculating an unprecedented collaboration with the coveted luxury watch brand Audemars Piguet, specifically zeroing in on the iconic Royal Oak silhouette.

With the Swatch Group having a complete monopoly on these collabs and the unfathomable success of their Omega Moonswatch collection (that caused droves of people to line up from dusk till dawn to cop their preferred Mission to whichever planet edition), they might just cause another canon event with an AP link-up.

ALSO READ:

Omega x Swatch Is the Collaboration You've Been Waiting For

Swatch Launches a Big Bold Collection with Streetwear King BAPE

We don't really have much to go on besides the short green and blue "Royal Pop" video on Instagram. This breadcrumb-type video has even led to a bunch of fan-made, official mock-ups of possible Royal Oak-inspired Swatch pieces, much like the Omega Speedmaster-centric Moonswatches. Some of those mock-ups that went viral are the supposed Royal Oak pocket watches and traditional wristwatches of varying pastel colors. Horological overthinkers are almost certain the typography of "Royal and Pop" in the teaser is a deadringer for what AP uses for the Royal Oak.

It made sense why Swatch would make a budget Omega collection (if you can even consider them as Omega watches, that is), since they are part of the ultra-powerful Swatch umbrella featuring other heritage brands like Breguet, Blancpain, Harry Winston, and Glashütte Original. Longines, Rado, and even more accessible options like Tissot, Hamilton, and Mido.

So, why would one of the top luxury watch brands play nice with a competitor? Is it simply to outdo the love for Omega?

In an almost Pavlovian type of deduction, many of the discerning card-carrying members of the global horology club deduced that the short click sound in the video is a nod to a pristine AP butterfly clasp closing shut, which would be kind of a reach if this doesn't turn out to be an AP collab.

A collection of this magnitude, which will obviously be relatively more affordable than the actual AP timepieces, will surely drive insane traffic to Swatch stores globally. But won't this just eat into AP's actual sales?

This most likely won't be the case since the ultra-luxury brand's target demographic is really into their movements and milestone pieces. Buying a Swatch AP (whatever form that may turn out to be) won't really scratch that itch for them.

It's the same as how watch collectors don't see Moonswatches as luxury timepieces, and that's not just because of the generic quartz movement in it.

Swatch won't be shelling out serious dough for watches made out of the same material as the real deal. The move, which we are still just speculating about along with the bigger global watch community, will still drive everyone crazy and will sell out faster than you can actually say Royal Oak.

READ MORE:

Swatch Launches a Big Bold Collection with Streetwear King BAPE

Audemars Piguet's Latest Watch Is Fit for a Bond Villain (and You)