The launch of limited-edition Swatch watches descended into chaos in several European cities and New York, with French police firing teargas to restore order at a store near Paris. Crowds of hundreds queued overnight and for days to buy the Royal Pop timepieces, made in collaboration with luxury watchmaker Audemars Piguet.
France and Milan
In France, police fired teargas to control a 300-strong crowd outside a Swatch shop in the Paris region, where a metal shutter and two security gates were damaged. A police source said stores had underestimated security needs. In Milan, a fight broke out outside a Swatch store at opening time, as shown in local media footage.
Netherlands and New York
In the Netherlands, police intervened at a shopping centre near The Hague after hundreds flocked to the store, causing tension and quarrelling. The store did not open, and people were sent home. Swatch stores in Amsterdam and Utrecht also remained closed. In New York, pushing and shoving occurred at the Times Square store. John McIntosh, who queued from Wednesday, described it as "like a mosh pit." He and others aimed to resell the $400 watch at a huge markup. Another buyer, Mac, sold one for $4,000 after five days of queueing. Benny, 30, paid $2,400 for a watch, calling it a steal compared to an Audemars Piguet.
UK Closures
Swatch closed stores in London and six other UK cities for safety reasons after large crowds gathered. The company declined to comment.
