The AP x Swatch Royal Pop collaboration sparked chaos at stores nationwide, with massive crowds, arrests, and resale prices topping $2,000 on the watches.

By Alessandro Parodi May 18 (Reuters) - Swiss watchmaker Swatch was forced to shut stores and cap queues after the launch of its Royal Pop pocket watch in collaboration with Audemars Piguet drew large crowds and triggered brawls among shoppers.

The widely anticipated collaboration between Swatch and Audemars Piguet drew large and aggressive crowds for the pocket watch release.

Chaos erupted at Swatch stores from New York to London as watch enthusiasts lined up for a highly anticipated new release — only for the massive crowds to force several locations to shut their doors

Police were called to Swatch stores across the UK and Europe over crowd trouble following the launch of a watch.

Long lines formed outside Swatch stores across the world ahead of launch of the Royal Pop, a collaboration between Swatch and Audemars Piguet on Saturday, May 16.

After chaotic scenes at Swatch stores' AP launches at Trafford Centre and across UK, the watch seller has been unable to reopen

Swatch has been forced to shut shops around the world after its limited edition collaboration with luxury watch brand Audemars Piguet sparked chaos on high streets and in shopping centres across the U