The new of the Swatch x Audemars Piguet collaboration shook up the fashion world this week. Rumors swirled. AI images were generated. Lines formed in front of Swatch stores around the country a week ahead of the official release before we even actually knew what the product looked like. Swatch x AP was shaping up to be the runaway pick for 2026 collab of the year . On May 12, we finally got to see what we all had been waiting for, an official look at what Swatch and AP had cooked up. Was it the tonal Royal Oaks that the internet had assumed? No. Instead, it was revealed that the “Royal Pop” collection would actually consist of eight colorways of pocket watches . While the pandemonium has cooled off just a bit, Swatch x AP is still undoubtedly one of 2026’s biggest drops. Ahead of the retail launch on May 16, we polled some industry experts from jewelers like Trax to luxury retail owners, and more. Do they like the collab? Are they planning on buying one for themselves? Find out below.…