New York City, United States – An angry confrontation broke out outside the Swatch store in Times Square on the morning of May 16, 2026, following the Swatch x Audemars Piguet “Royal Pop” drop.

The handheld video, filmed by X user M. Maali (@cryptodronejr), shows a large crowd of watch enthusiasts pressing against a line of NYPD officers positioned at the store entrance in full uniform.

People shout and gesture at both police and store staff while several record the scene on their phones. Officers, including a captain wearing a peaked cap, stand shoulder-to-shoulder in an attempt to hold back the surging crowd.

In the foreground, one man in a purple baseball cap stands out as others in hoodies, backpacks, and casual clothing push forward and argue. The modern storefront displays the Swatch logo, with Times Square billboards visible behind the growing chaos.

The footage reflects frustration from buyers who had been waiting in line for days, only to learn that the Soho store had been closed and the entire allocation moved to the Times Square location, resulting in a rapid sell-out and the confrontation outside.

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