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Barcelona Shuts Swatch Stores as 'Royal Pop' Release Draws Global Queues

Barcelona closures highlight safety risks tied to a resale-fueled rush.

Overview

  • The Swatch–Audemars Piguet 'Royal Pop' drop, which began Saturday, drew long lines and campouts in Spain and in cities such as New York, Tokyo and London.
  • In Barcelona, crowds blocked openings at the Passeig de Gràcia and Illa Diagonal stores, prompting police deployments and a temporary halt to sales that Swatch said will resume in the coming days.
  • San Sebastián’s store opened with overnight campers on Calle Loiola, where chairs and blankets marked a line that stretched into the Mercado San Martín walkway.
  • The limited collaboration offers eight pocket-watch versions that echo the Royal Oak’s octagonal shape and sell for €385 to €400 with a one-per-person limit.
  • Resale listings quickly soared well above retail, often to €2,500–€3,000 and in some social posts up to €17,000, a gap that has drawn resellers and swelled queues.