Mall chaos as Westfield Topanga is forced to close over viral watch collab

The launch of a viral watch collaboration between Swatch and Audemars Piguet has caused chaos, with stores in Los Angeles and across the country being forced to close due to the overwhelming demand. Watch enthusiasts and resellers have been waiting in long lines for hours in hopes of getting their hands on the latest “Royal Pop” collection.

The pocket watch collection, which merges Audemars Piguet’s iconic Royal Oak with Swatch’s vibrant POP line, has attracted hundreds of shoppers to stores like the Topanga Westfield mall in LA. However, many were left disappointed as the limited supply meant that more than one hundred people were turned away by the Los Angeles Police Department.

While some shoppers simply wanted the watch for its cool factor, others were looking to make a profit by reselling it for triple its retail value. The collection includes eight unique pocket watches that retail for around $400, but resellers on eBay have been listing them for as much as $4,000.

The high demand for the watches led to the closure of Swatch stores in Los Angeles, New York City, Houston, Orlando, Atlanta, and more. In a statement, the company acknowledged the extraordinary demand for the collection and emphasized that it is not a limited edition.

Videos shared on social media showed the chaos at stores, with crowds of shoppers trying to get their hands on the coveted watches. Some stores never even opened due to the unruly crowds, while others had to be closed by security and local authorities to ensure the safety of customers and staff.

Swatch issued a statement urging customers not to rush to stores in large numbers and assured them that the Royal Pop Collection will remain available for several months. Queues of more than 50 people may not be accepted in some countries, leading to sales being paused.

The Post reached out to Swatch and the LA store for further comment on the situation. Despite the challenges faced by both customers and retailers, the popularity of the Royal Pop collection shows no signs of slowing down as watch enthusiasts continue to clamor for these unique timepieces.