https://www.scmp.com/rss/521757/feed The latest news and top stories on Swatch Group. A leading entity in the luxury goods and watchmaking sector, Biel/Bienne Switzerland based Swatch Group specialises in manufacturing and selling finished watches, jewellery, movements and components. They primarily serve a global market across all price segments from basic to luxury. Notable for being the world’s largest watchmaking group, Swatch Group revived the Swiss watch industry and maintains significant production in Switzerland. Despite... en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com Associated Press Associated Press In Paris, police deployed tear gas. In Milan, a fist-fight erupted. In Hong Kong, Singapore, London and New York, all-night queues snaked from the doors of Swatch stores – the latest examples of “drop culture” to flash across the globe when status symbols and resale value collide. The company at the centre of it all, Swatch, is no stranger to over-the-top retail outbreaks, and said on May 18 that there is no shortage of its Royal Pop pocket watch – a collaboration with luxury watchmaker Audemars... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/fashion-beauty/article/3354072/swatch-drops-us400-royal-pop-watch-then-people-got-crazy-hong-kong-us?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/fashion-beauty/article/3354072/swatch-drops-us400-royal-pop-watch-then-people-got-crazy-hong-kong-us?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 19 May 2026 09:16:36 +0000 SCMP Style Reporter SCMP Style Reporter It’s been the talk of the horological world all year. The results are now here of the much-discussed collaboration between two of Switzerland’s most iconic watchmaking names, and ones that usually make very different types of watches: Audemars Piguet and Swatch. With Royal Pop, they’ve created a collection that has something to delight everyone. The collection’s special alchemy is to perfectly blend the very best bits of two of the world’s most coveted collections – Audemars Piguet’s Royal Oak... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/watches/article/3353957/style-edit-swatch-and-audemars-piguet-unveil-vibrant-royal-pop-pocket-watches?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/watches/article/3353957/style-edit-swatch-and-audemars-piguet-unveil-vibrant-royal-pop-pocket-watches?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 19 May 2026 02:00:06 +0000 Theodora Yu Theodora Yu Many shoppers who queued for days ahead of the launch of a new watch from two Swiss brands have listed the timepieces for sale within hours of buying them, with resale prices nearly seven times their original retail value. A South China Morning Post reporter observed at least 70 people in raincoats and carrying umbrellas queuing in Causeway Bay on Saturday morning, with the line stretching from the Swatch store on Kai Chiu Road all the way around the block to Pak Sha Road. Queues had been... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3353819/scalpers-list-swatch-audemars-piguet-watches-hours-after-launch-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3353819/scalpers-list-swatch-audemars-piguet-watches-hours-after-launch-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 16 May 2026 10:31:05 +0000 Wynna Wong Wynna Wong Long lines stretching across several blocks have formed in Hong Kong as shoppers turned up days ahead of the launch of the “Royal Pop” pocket watches – a collaboration between luxury watchmaker Audemars Piguet and Swatch. A South China Morning Post reporter observed about 50 people queuing in Causeway Bay on Thursday evening, a few metres from the Swatch store on Kai Chiu Road. “If you don’t try, you don’t win,” said one hopeful, who only gave his name as Jackson. “How many opportunities do you... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3353607/hongkongers-queue-round-clock-new-swatch-audemars-piguet-collection?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3353607/hongkongers-queue-round-clock-new-swatch-audemars-piguet-collection?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 14 May 2026 23:00:07 +0000 Josiah Ng Josiah Ng On the morning of May 6, advertising appeared across major newspapers and platforms bearing only the logo of Swatch, maker of accessible quartz watches and part of one of the largest conglomerates of watchmaking in the world, with cryptic words like “Royal” and “Pop”. It is the “Royal” version of the ad that has the internet in a tizzy. Collectors and enthusiasts – particularly us at the Style team – speculate that the “Royal” could even refer to the much-loved Audemars Piguet Royal Oak,... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/watches/article/3352567/swatch-teasing-royal-oak-collaboration-audemars-piguet?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/watches/article/3352567/swatch-teasing-royal-oak-collaboration-audemars-piguet?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 06 May 2026 04:44:13 +0000 Vincenzo La Torre Vincenzo La Torre When Gregory Kissling was appointed CEO of Breguet in late 2024, the storied watchmaker was getting ready to celebrate its 250th anniversary the following year. A microtechnology engineer, Kissling joined Breguet from fellow Swatch Group brand Omega, where he’d spent 20 years in product development. Established in 1775, Breguet is one of the most prestigious names in high horology. The company’s founder, Abraham-Louis Breguet – who like Kissling was born in the French-speaking Swiss town of... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/watches/article/3343136/style-edit-how-breguet-ceo-gregory-kissling-steering-heritage-brand-new-era?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/watches/article/3343136/style-edit-how-breguet-ceo-gregory-kissling-steering-heritage-brand-new-era?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 12 Feb 2026 02:00:09 +0000 Sheena Khemaney Sheena Khemaney 2026 is the Year of the Horse in the Chinese zodiac, running from February 17, 2026, until February 5, 2027. Although several luxury brands already draw on the horse motif, others have released dedicated capsule collections and one-off pieces to welcome in the New Year, which is said to bring themes of speed, passion and renewed motivation. From festive campaigns and inspirations to hot new product launches featuring horse emblems and auspicious red and gold tones, here’s what’s worth browsing -... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/lifestyle/leisure/article/3341363/15-luxe-gifts-year-horse-brands-including-chanel-hermes-and-jellycat?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/lifestyle/leisure/article/3341363/15-luxe-gifts-year-horse-brands-including-chanel-hermes-and-jellycat?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 29 Jan 2026 00:00:11 +0000 Vincenzo La Torre Vincenzo La Torre The Swatch Art Peace Hotel – one of the most prestigious residencies in the art world – celebrates its 15th anniversary this year. The name of the residency originates from its location. Situated on The Bund – the waterfront area along the Huangpu River in the heart of Shanghai – the building where the residency takes place was formerly the Palace Hotel and later the Peace Hotel South Building. In 2011, Swatch, the Swiss brand known for its design-led timepieces, took over the heritage building... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/lifestyle/design/article/3340097/swatch-art-peace-hotel-turns-15-brand-unveils-swatch-x-guggenheim-collection?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/lifestyle/design/article/3340097/swatch-art-peace-hotel-turns-15-brand-unveils-swatch-x-guggenheim-collection?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 16 Jan 2026 04:00:02 +0000 Iman Muttaqin Yusof Iman Muttaqin Yusof Raids on men-only saunas and spas across Malaysia have raised fears of an intensifying crackdown on LGBTQ communities, in what activists view as a steadily illiberal turn under Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s government. While officials defend such operations as necessary to uphold Malaysian law and Islamic principles, rights advocates said the latest raids fit a pattern of punitive policing that is driving gay communities further underground and deterring them from seeking health services. On... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/people/article/3334755/raids-men-only-spas-malaysia-raise-concerns-about-targeting-lgbtq-groups?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/people/article/3334755/raids-men-only-spas-malaysia-raise-concerns-about-targeting-lgbtq-groups?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 01 Dec 2025 08:14:28 +0000 SCMP Style Reporter SCMP Style Reporter When Swatch launched in 1983, it was like a bomb had gone off in the world of horology. This was a Swiss watch brand like none before it – it was the one that made watches cool. In so many ways, Swatch was ahead of its time, helping to usher in a new era in watchmaking – and watch wearing. Instead of a single, extremely expensive piece to be worn on all occasions, suddenly watches were a fashionable accessory that could be chosen to complement an outfit. The brand embraced the use of modern... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/watches/article/3333406/style-edit-swatch-neon-gives-1980s-watches-eye-popping-hi-tech-makeover?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/watches/article/3333406/style-edit-swatch-neon-gives-1980s-watches-eye-popping-hi-tech-makeover?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 20 Nov 2025 02:00:15 +0000 Kandy Wong Kandy Wong Swiss watchmaker Swatch has issued an apology for a “slant eye” promotional image that has triggered strong criticism on Chinese social media, with the gesture widely considered offensive to Asians. In statements posted to Instagram and China’s Weibo on Saturday, the Swatch Group sought to “sincerely apologise for any distress or misunderstanding this may have caused”. The company said it had taken note of the “recent concerns” regarding the portrayal of a model in images for a men’s watch... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/3322130/swatch-says-sorry-slanted-eyes-ad-after-social-media-backlash-china?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/3322130/swatch-says-sorry-slanted-eyes-ad-after-social-media-backlash-china?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 17 Aug 2025 13:00:10 +0000 SCMP Style Reporter SCMP Style Reporter Swatch has broken the rules of Swiss watchmaking since day one in 1983, and five new designs for summer spell out this mantra in extremely bold type. The writing is on the provocative watch faces of these No Rules models, each an edgy expression of rebellious energy. Statements such as “Do Whatever the … You Want” and “Time is Not Money” will resonate with anti-authoritarians wanting to air their defiance on their sleeve. The former is splashed in irregular green, black and white letters,... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/watches/article/3318529/style-edit-swatchs-new-no-rules-collection-embodies-fun-rebellious-energy-bold-designs-provocative?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/watches/article/3318529/style-edit-swatchs-new-no-rules-collection-embodies-fun-rebellious-energy-bold-designs-provocative?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 18 Jul 2025 02:00:10 +0000 Joseph Sipalan Joseph Sipalan A police raid on a private bungalow in Kelantan has led to the detention of more than 20 men in what Malaysian authorities have described as a “gay party” – the first such case reported in the deeply conservative northern state. The raid, which took place in June but was only disclosed on Thursday, also turned up hundreds of condoms and several boxes of HIV medication, according to Kelantan police chief Mohd Yusoff Mamat. “Investigations found that there was no sexual activity on location during... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/people/article/3318614/gay-party-raid-malaysian-police-kelantan-detain-over-20-men?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/people/article/3318614/gay-party-raid-malaysian-police-kelantan-detain-over-20-men?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 17 Jul 2025 10:26:51 +0000