For most people, the answer is probably yes.
The Swatch × Audemars Piguet Royal Pop is already generating massive attention worldwide, with long queues expected at many Swatch boutiques on release day. Unlike many recent watch collaborations, this release combines one of the biggest names in luxury watchmaking with one of the largest mainstream watch brands in the world.
What makes the Royal Pop especially interesting is that Audemars Piguet is not owned by the Swatch Group. That makes this collaboration feel far more unexpected and exclusive compared to collaborations like the Omega × Swatch MoonSwatch.
Audemars Piguet is also considered one of the most prestigious watch brands in the world, with Royal Oak models often trading far above retail and remaining extremely difficult to purchase through official boutiques. Because of that, many collectors see the Royal Pop as one of the most accessible ways to own something connected to the AP design language.
Resell demand is also expected to be very strong during the first weeks after release. Early hype around the Royal Pop has already spread across TikTok, Reddit, Instagram, and major watch publications, while many stores are reportedly receiving limited stock allocations.
Compared to retail pricing, many buyers already believe the Royal Pop offers strong value simply because of the level of hype, design recognition, and collectibility attached to the Audemars Piguet name.
Even people who are unsure about the pocket watch concept are still interested because the release feels different from anything else currently happening in the watch industry.
Whether prices continue rising long term is impossible to predict, but one thing already seems clear: the Royal Pop is shaping up to become one of the biggest watch releases of the year.