Hamburger Anzeiger - Scuffles from Europe to NYC as Swatch sale descends into chaos

Hundreds of people waited through the night -- and in some cases for several days -- hoping to get their hands on the "Royal Pop" timepieces, made in collaboration with luxury watchmaker Audemars Piguet.

In France, lines of hundreds of people formed through the night in several cities, and a police source said officers fired tear gas to control a 300-strong crowd outside a Swatch shop in the Paris region.

A metal shutter and two security gates were damaged in the incident, and police said the stores had underestimated the need for security.

Things also turned ugly in Milan, where a fight broke out in front of a Swatch store at opening time on Saturday, according to footage broadcast by local media.

- 'Pushing and shoving' -

In New York, the opening of the Swatch store in Times Square was met with "pushing and shoving" in the waiting crowd, John McIntosh, who had been in line since Wednesday, told AFP.

"It was like a mosh pit," the 44-year-old said.

"People who got here last night have gone to the front, people who cut this morning, whoever cheats and pushes the hardest hits to front."

Like many others, McIntosh hoped to get his hands on the brightly coloured watch -- sold in store for $400 to $420 to resell it immediately at a huge mark-up.

Another buyer, who gave his name as Mac, said he had managed to get his hands on one after five days of queueing.

"It was pretty hectic... it's nasty, but I was able to get in," he told AFP.

"Retail for them is about $400, I sold one just now for $4000."

Dressed in a grey suit and shades, Benny, 30, decided to pay rather than wait, shelling out $2,400 for one of the watches.

"It's basically $2,000 over retail, but you can't get an AP (Audemars Piguet) for less than $2,000, so I think it was a steal," he said.

"I'd rather pay a premium and come out and get it.”

Contacted by AFP, Swatch declined to comment.

burs-pdw/jj

U.M.Thomas--HHA