Swatch Stores in Manchester, Liverpool Close After £335 Pocket Watch Crowds

Swatch outlets in Manchester and Liverpool remained shut for a second day, prompted by renewed congestion as shoppers sought the new £335 pocket watch. The Swiss company initially closed these branches, alongside those in Birmingham, Sheffield, Glasgow, Cardiff, and London, on Saturday, citing "safety considerations."

Following widespread gatherings at its retail locations, Swatch issued a social media plea, urging customers "not to rush to our stores in large numbers." The firm asserted that the items, which have appeared on resale platforms for as much as £16,000, would "remain available for several months."

Critics have questioned the company's distribution strategy, suggesting online availability would mitigate the need for police intervention. On Saturday, an individual was arrested in Cardiff, while Merseyside Police responded to reports of "making threats" outside the Liverpool store.

The 'Royal Pop' pocket watch, a collaboration with luxury watchmaker Audemars Piguet, launched simultaneously across selected global stores. Inspired by 1950s and 60s Pop Art, the collection merges Audemars Piguet's Royal Oak design with Swatch Pop aesthetics. Similar crowd control issues led to the cancellation of an event in Dubai and police call-outs in France and Switzerland. In New York, reports surfaced of shoppers camping for a week in Times Square, with some requiring medical attention.