The highly anticipated debut of the Royal Pop collection, a unique collaboration between luxury watchmakers Audemars Piguet and Swatch, faced an unexpected hurdle in the UAE. Originally scheduled for May 16, the launch event was abruptly called off at the Dubai Mall and the Mall of the Emirates. Swatch UAE issued a brief statement on Instagram citing "public safety considerations" as the primary reason for the cancellation, offering little further explanation to the throngs of disappointed collectors who had gathered for the release.

The decision triggered a wave of frustration among fans who had invested significant time to secure a piece from the collection, which merges the aesthetic of the iconic Royal Oak with Swatch’s vintage POP watches. Social media platforms were quickly flooded with complaints from customers who claimed to have waited upwards of 10 to 18 hours, only to be turned away without the watches. Many attendees expressed their anger regarding a perceived lack of organization and communication from the brands, noting that the massive crowds were left largely unmanaged before the sudden announcement that the sale would not proceed.