A LUXURY watch release has sparked chaotic lines with collectors and savvy resellers queuing up for days amid complaints of a foul stench and medical emergencies.
The atmosphere outside the Swatch flagship store in Times Square on Friday was akin to something out of The Hunger Games, with some having set up tents as early as last Sunday.
Dozens of people have been camping out at stores worldwide for a chance to buy the new mechanical pocket watch – a collaboration between Swatch and luxury giant Audemars Piguet.
The watch is expected to go on sale for $400–$500, with a projected resale value of up to $3,200.
Spot-holders are already being offered thousands of dollars to walk away from the high-stakes vigil, which is set to culminate when the watches finally go on sale at 10am Saturday.
While many were able to have friends and family save their spots for food and bathroom breaks, others complained of the smell, as some chose to relieve themselves in line rather than risk losing their place.
Bianca Colon, 31, was in line for her nephew, who had to grab his paycheck.
“I’m so mad at him, I can’t believe he’s been out here for four days doing this,” she told The U.S. Sun.
“But he wants the watch, he deserves it, he works hard for it, so I support him.
“I heard about it on Instagram, when my nephew told me, ‘I’m going on the line.’ I said, ‘You’re crazy.’
“He had a tent, but then they made him take it down.”
Although it had been calm during her few hours there, she admitted, “The stench is horrendous. And you see a lot of different characters here, you see the normals, you see the crazies.”
One woman suffered a suspected overdose on Thursday, with Bianca admitting, “I’ve never seen that before, I was kind of shocked.
“I hope everyone stays safe, and I hope everything goes as planned.”
Despite the horrors, many were upbeat about being in the situation and couldn’t wait to get their hands on the watch.
Kris Brews, 31, said she began lining up on Monday with friends, admitting, “I’m just here for the vibes, to be honest,” saying it felt like a vacation meeting different people from all walks of life.
“I’m probably just going to sell it. I’m looking to get like $4,000 from it. I already got offered $2,000 for my seat.”
Asked why she wouldn’t give up her spot, she said, “For the fun of it, just to see how this goes, and I believe I can do it.”
Kris said she’d been trying to stay as “chill” as possible, smoking weed and getting to know others in the line, but feared people were going to start to try to push in front of her as time went on.
“I think it’s going to get really hectic, people are going to try and skip (the line), it’s just gonna be nuts,” she said.
“But I have a pretty big team, so hopefully everything works out.”
She added, “Hopefully, there’ll be more cops here to help.”
Teacher Paris Underwood, 30, admitted he’d skipped lessons to get in line.
“I called out [sick] just to be in this line,” he laughed.
“I don’t normally call out of work but when I do it’s necessary and I felt it called for it now.
“A message to my kids, Mr. Underwood will be back on Monday.
Source : https://www.the-sun.com/news/16367541/chaos-swatch-queue-foul-stench-people-collapsing/