On Saturday morning, a massive crowd gathered at a Chicago-area mall, eagerly anticipating the release of the Swatch and Audemars Piguet Royal Pop Collection pocket watch. The turnout was so overwhelming that the store opted to remain closed for the day, according to local police.
Numerous police vehicles were sighted at the Oak Brook Center Mall, responding to the situation.
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“The crowd was there for the launch of a new watch. However, Swatch has decided not to open their Oak Brook location today,” the Oak Brook police informed ABC7.
Early on Saturday, a significant number of people were seen waiting outside the store, hoping to get their hands on the new release.
The Royal Pop Collection is a joint effort between Swatch and the high-end watchmaker Audemars Piguet, featuring pocket watches priced at approximately $400. These watches have reportedly been reselling online for over $1,000.
In a statement, Swatch advised, “To our global fans eagerly awaiting the AP x Swatch collaboration, launched on May 16, we stress the importance of safety for both customers and staff at our stores. Please avoid large gatherings at our locations to purchase this product. The Royal Pop Collection will be available for several months. In certain regions, we cannot accommodate queues exceeding 50 individuals, which may result in temporary sales suspension.”
It was not yet clear when the Oak Brook Swatch store would reopen.
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