All eyes were on Audemars Piguet and Swatch as we spent the month speculating, then lining up for their unlikely collaboration – but otherwise, the watch world was firing on all cylinders. Phillips concluded a record-breaking auction in Geneva buoyed by the success of independent brands, Omega released a Seamaster Diver 300M for a James Bond video game, Kevin Hart rocked some serious horological hardware at his roast, and brands did not slow down on releasing compelling models in May.

Audemars Piguet, Swatch and a pocket watch

The moment we saw teasers labelled “Royal” and “Pop”, we speculated, and the watch world confirmed, the exciting – and bordering on unthinkable – collaboration between high horology maison Audemars Piguet and Swatch. Although Swatch usually collaborates with brands within its own conglomerate, like Omega and Blancpain, the Audemars Piguet x Swatch Bioceramic Royal Pop pocket watch did gangbusters, drawing queues at retail stores – whether the buyers were flippers or genuine collectors – on a scale not seen globally since the Omega x Swatch Bioceramic MoonSwatch frenzy during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Kevin Hart wore two stunning pieces to his own roast

In the wake of awards season, it may be hard to spot celebrities in high horology, but Kevin Hart is one of the watch world’s consistent exceptions. Comedians gathered at the Kia Forum in Los Angeles for the Netflix Is a Joke festival, where a select few were chosen to roast the comedian as part of the festivities. While the roast itself has been panned for feeling staged and scripted, Hart’s wrist game was undeniable.

On the red carpet, he sported the square Audemars Piguet Neo Frame Jumping Hour in discreet pink gold and black to go with a black tuxedo and beige top. On stage, the comedian wore a more casual all-black outfit accented with – according to GQ – a Patek Philippe Golden Ellipse ref. 5738/51G-001, featuring an ornate floral pattern with enamel crevices, and a case in 18k white gold.

Phillips’ Geneva Watch Auction sets records

Phillips is continuing to break its own watch auction records. The auction house announced on May 11 that for the Geneva Watch Auction: XXIII on May 9-10, it had set “no fewer than 43 world records”, grossing a record US$96.3 million across all lots. Top of the pack was a Patek Philippe ref. 2523 South America two-crown world timer, which brought in US$10 million on its own, while the Louis Richard Triple Detent Constant Force One Minute Tourbillon Chronometer in yellow gold set the world record for pocket chronometers, and was the third highest lot.