The Swatch x Audemars Piguet Royal Pop collection is made up of eight watches split into two distinct case configurations — Lépine and Savonnette. Most people buying a Royal Pop do not fully understand the difference until they have the watch in their hands. This guide explains everything you need to know before you choose.
What is a Lépine?
A Lépine is a pocket watch style where the crown sits at 12 o'clock. In traditional pocket watchmaking, the Lépine configuration is the most common — the crown is used to wind the movement and set the time, and its position at 12 makes it easy to access when the watch is pulled from a pocket. In the Royal Pop collection, six of the eight references are Lépine. These are the Otto Rosso, Huit Blanc, Green Eight, Blaue Acht, Orenji Hachi, and Ocho Negro. All six display hours and minutes only — no small seconds subdial.
What is a Savonnette?
A Savonnette is a pocket watch style where the crown sits at 3 o'clock. In traditional pocket watchmaking, the Savonnette was considered the more refined configuration — the crown at 3 gave the dial a cleaner, more symmetrical look when viewed face-on. In the Royal Pop collection, two of the eight references are Savonnette. These are the Làn Ba and the OTG ROZ. Both Savonnette references also feature a small seconds subdial at 6 o'clock — a complication that is absent from the six Lépine models.
Lépine vs Savonnette — the Key Differences
The Lépine has the crown at 12 o'clock and displays hours and minutes only. The Savonnette has the crown at 3 o'clock and adds a small seconds subdial at 6. Both share the same 40mm octagonal bioceramic case, the same 8.4mm thickness, the same Petite Tapisserie dial texture, the same Sistem51 hand-wound movement, the same 90-hour power reserve, and the same $400 retail price. The Savonnette models are priced at $420 — a $20 premium for the small seconds complication and the side-winder crown configuration.
Which is Better for Wearing on Your Wrist?
For wearing on the wrist, the Savonnette has the natural advantage. The crown at 3 o'clock is exactly where it belongs on a wristwatch — it is how every conventional Swiss wristwatch is built. The OTG ROZ and Làn Ba in Savonnette configuration wear on the wrist with a layout that feels immediately right. The Lépine references are more unconventional on the wrist. With the crown at 12, our adapter rotates the case slightly so the crown sits closer to 1:30 — giving it a distinctive driver's watch personality that is bold, readable, and visually striking. It is different. It is not worse.
Which Royal Pop Colorways are Lépine?
The six Lépine references are the Otto Rosso (Ref. SSX03R100N), Huit Blanc (Ref. SSX03W100N), Green Eight (Ref. SSX03G100N), Blaue Acht (Ref. SSX03L101N), Orenji Hachi (Ref. SSX03L103N), and Ocho Negro (Ref. SSX03W101N). All six are priced at $400.
Which Royal Pop Colorways are Savonnette?
The two Savonnette references are the Làn Ba (Ref. SSX03L100N) and the OTG ROZ (Ref. SSX03J100N). Both are priced at $420 and both feature a small seconds subdial at 6 o'clock.
Lépine vs Savonnette — Which Should You Buy?
If you want the most conventional wristwatch experience, buy a Savonnette. The Làn Ba and OTG ROZ wear on the wrist with a layout that feels immediately familiar. If you want something more unusual and distinctive, buy a Lépine. The crown at 1:30 on the wrist is a conversation piece every time. If you want the most collectible piece in the collection, the OTG ROZ Savonnette is the one — directly inspired by Andy Warhol's Marilyn Monroe series, it is the most overtly pop art reference in the lineup and the most discussed on secondary markets.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Lépine and Savonnette? Lépine has the crown at 12 o'clock with hours and minutes only. Savonnette has the crown at 3 o'clock with a small seconds subdial at 6.
Which Royal Pop models are Savonnette? The Làn Ba (Ref. SSX03L100N) and OTG ROZ (Ref. SSX03J100N) are the two Savonnette references.
Which Royal Pop models are Lépine? The Otto Rosso, Huit Blanc, Green Eight, Blaue Acht, Orenji Hachi, and Ocho Negro are all Lépine references.
Is the Savonnette more expensive than the Lépine? Yes. The six Lépine references retail at $400. The two Savonnette references retail at $420.
Can both Lépine and Savonnette be worn on the wrist? Yes. Our precision-fit strap works with both configurations.