World News for Students of English

22-05-2026 07:00

The Swiss watchmaker Swatch has experienced global frenzy after the launch of its new Royal Pop collection. This series of eight pocket watch models was created in collaboration with the high-end Swiss luxury brand Audemars Piguet.

Products from Audemars Piguet normally sell for around 20,000 euros; however, these new models are priced at 385 euros. This huge price difference has attracted tens of thousands of customers worldwide. People had been camping outside Swatch retail stores in global capitals like London, Paris, Geneva, New York, and Milan for up to a week before the official Saturday release. Because demand outpaced the supply, chaos started in many locations. In Paris, local police had to use tear gas to control the crowds, and physical fights broke out in Milan as soon as the doors opened. Swatch had to temporarily close several stores in the United Kingdom and the Netherlands.

The company has issued a statement to calm people down and reassure them that the collection is not a limited edition and will remain available, so there is no need to rush to stores in large numbers.

Difficult words: frenzy (wild excitement where people lose control), high-end ( and of very high quality), outpace (to move or grow faster than something else).

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