The much-hyped, much-celebrated—and much-debated—Audemars Piguet x Swatch “Royal Pop” has officially arrived. The watch will go on sale May 16, with the two companies releasing the first official images ahead of launch.

The Royal Pop stems from the unlikely pairing of fashion watch giant Swatch and high-horology manufacture Audemars Piguet. According to the brands, both the name and design draw inspiration from Pop Art, the 1950s movement that blurred the lines between fine art and mass culture through bold colors and imagery from everyday life.

At first glance, the collection appears to lean more heavily toward Swatch DNA than Audemars Piguet, thanks to its eight vivid color combinations, Bioceramic case construction, and proprietary Swatch movement. The watch is also presented as a pocket watch inspired by the vintage Swatch POP concept.

Still, there are numerous references to the iconic Royal Oak throughout the design.

In a joint statement, the companies said........

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