Luxury Swiss watch store Swatch at the Somerset Collection in Troy is closed Saturday, May 16, the day of a highly anticipated watch release, due to safety concerns, according to the Troy Police Department.
The Somerset Collection requested the Troy Police Department to respond to the scene where it was estimated hundreds of customers were gathered at 4:30 a.m., according to a news release from the Troy Police Department.
Mall security personnel advised patrons to disperse from the property, according to the news release. The Troy Police Department requested mutual aid from surrounding police agencies to help with crowd management.
The situation was brought under control without incident, and two people were issued citations for trespassing after they refused to leave the property when directed to do so, according to the Troy Police Department.
Swatch announced a pocket watch collaboration with Audemars Piguet, a luxury Swiss watch brand, on social media on May 12, saying the product would be available at Swatch stores worldwide starting Saturday, May 16.
On Saturday, May 16, the Swiss brand closed at least 17 stores around the U.S. “in view of public safety considerations,” according to posts by Swatch on Facebook.
“Today’s Bioceramic Royal Pop Collection launch saw extraordinarily high demand,” according to a post by Swatch at 10:26 a.m. Saturday. “Some of our stores had to be closed in accordance with our security staff and local authorities to ensure a safe environment for everyone. We remind you that the Royal Pop Collection is not a limited edition.”
Pocket watches in the collection start at $400, according to Swatch.com.
Contact Natalie Davies at ndavies@freepress.com.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Somerset Swatch store closed after large crowd gathers for release
Reporting by Natalie Davies, Detroit Free Press / Detroit Free Press
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