Queues and tension in Barcelona for limited edition Swatch watch

Hundreds of people camped for days to get an exclusive model, forcing the store to close for safety reasons.

Generic image of customers queuing outside a store.
IA

Generic image of customers queuing outside a store.

The sale of a limited edition Swatch watch in collaboration with Audemars Piguet has generated queues and moments of tension this Saturday at the store on the corner of Passeig de Gràcia and Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes.

Hundreds of people gathered at the store's entrance aiming to purchase one of the new models, a result of the collaboration between Swatch and luxury brand Audemars Piguet. The frenzy for this exclusive product led the first buyers to set up camp in the area mid-week, with tables and chairs, a scene replicated in various cities worldwide.
Many of the interested individuals intended to resell the watches at a price significantly higher than the original. In fact, before its official release, they were already being advertised on resale platforms for up to four times their market value.
The high customer turnout necessitated the deployment of several units of the Mossos d'Esquadra, including riot police, to maintain public order. According to police sources, the operation proceeded without notable incidents.
Given the crowd at the store's entrance and to prevent potential issues, the Swatch store on Passeig de Gràcia decided not to open its doors. A sign was posted stating that, 'for security reasons,' the premises remained closed.