Swatch shuts stores after crowds queue for new watch

Swatch closed stores in multiple UK cities after hundreds of people queued outside branches to buy a limited watch. The company said it would not open in the capital due to safety considerations for customers and staff, and it also kept locations in Birmingham, Cardiff, Glasgow, Liverpool, Manchester, and Sheffield closed. The Royal Pop pocket watch collaboration with Audemars Piguet was scheduled to launch with eight models priced from 335. The watches were later listed for resale online for up to 16,000. Crowds also formed internationally, including in New York where some people reportedly became unwell, and Swatch cancelled a Dubai Mall launch event after a large turnout. The collection was inspired by Pop Art and described as bold, joyful, and provocative with fine watchmaking.

"Swatch have closed their stores in cities across the UK after hundreds of people queued outside branches eager to buy a new limited watch. The Swiss firm said it would not open its branches in the capital "in light of safety considerations for both our customers and our staff". Stores in Birmingham, Cardiff, Glasgow, Liverpool, Manchester and Sheffield will also remain closed."

"The firm had been due to launch their new "Royal Pop" pocket watch collaboration with luxury watchmaker Audemars Piguet, with eight models priced from 335. However the watch has been put on resale online for up to 16,000. Better known for their colourful watches from the 1980s, Swatch have described the items as "a disruptive collaboration between two icons of Swiss watchmaking"."

"Crowds had also been building up outside Swatch's branches internationally, including in New York where watch enthusiasts had been camping for a week, with reports that some had become unwell during the wait. The firm also cancelled its launch event at Dubai Mall in the United Arab Emirates following a large turnout."

"Swatch has said the new watches were inspired by the Pop Art movement of the 1950s and 60s. They called it "a groundbreaking watch collection that combines joyful boldness and positive provocation with fine watchmaking"."

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