Horological Meandering

Community verdict in brief: The community is divided on the AP x Swatch Royal Pop, with some praising its audacious marketing and affordability, while others question its appeal as a plastic watch or its long-term impact on luxury collecting. — full Key P...  

I really like the idea of "mise en abyme" ! an (very) expensive steel watch reinterpreted as a (affordable) plastic gadget! It takes a lot of self-deprecation to do it (and marketing sense indeed). However, would I be a buyer? Clearly not, but I'm certain... 

It looks like a tamagotchi. So no.

I guess, put them on a strap and we'll see now it fares. That being said, it really doesn't matter that much to me because I've never been in the market for a plastic watch. I was just sort of shocked at the concept of a necklace watch. Or pocket watch.

To produce a necklace watch?

I like the release. And I like that AP takes risks. It's no skin off my back. I'll enjoy my RO nonetheless. ...  

And awesome shot. Is that a 15202 salmon dial?

The AP strategic marketing team ... They don't do things randomly. I am sure thru also have Bain, McKinsey on retainer. Don't underestimate AP... ...  

Desirable to others. The original Royal Oak 5402 from 1972 would probably have been just as audacious to many at the time. Whatever ones opinion on the looks of the Royal Pop, I believe it's a smart move on the part of AP. 🤝

NT

I'll share my opinion after.

The crossover rate from swatch purchasers to serious watches was probably very, very small. What Swatch did was fund Hayek's moves into serious watches. Which he did when world economics made it fortuitous. Others rode the same wave. The great maisons mak... 

History repeats itself. There is another crisis for the Swiss watch industry and part of the issue again are tariffs, inflation and a high Swiss Franc.