The Royal Pop's Bioceramic case is tougher than regular plastic but not as hard as ceramic or steel. Here's how to keep your Royal Pop looking fresh, whether you wear it as a pocket watch or on your wrist.
What Is Bioceramic?
Bioceramic is Swatch's proprietary material — a blend of ceramic (from natural minerals) and bio-sourced plastic (from castor oil). It's lighter than steel, smoother than regular plastic, and has a warm, tactile feel on the skin. Swatch developed it for the MoonSwatch and carried it over to the Royal Pop.
Bioceramic Durability
- Scratch resistance: Better than plastic, worse than sapphire or ceramic. It will pick up fine scratches over time with daily wear.
- Impact resistance: Good. Bioceramic flexes slightly rather than shattering like pure ceramic.
- Chemical resistance: Moderate. Avoid prolonged contact with sunscreen, bug spray, and harsh chemicals.
- UV stability: Good. Bioceramic doesn't yellow or fade like some plastics.
Daily Care Tips
- Wipe down after wearing. Use a soft microfiber cloth to remove oils, sweat, and dust. This prevents buildup that can dull the surface.
- Avoid hard surfaces. Don't set your Royal Pop face-down on countertops or desks. The crystal and bezel can pick up scratches. Use the included desk stand or a watch cushion.
- Keep it dry. The Royal Pop is rated at 3 bar (30m), which means it can handle splashes and rain, but don't submerge it or shower with it. When worn on a wrist adapter, the exposed watch head has less water protection than in the original pocket watch shell.
- Store properly. When not wearing, keep it in the original box, a watch roll, or on the desk stand. Avoid storing it loose in a drawer where it can get scratched by other objects.
Cleaning Your Royal Pop
- Case: Damp microfiber cloth with a drop of mild soap. Wipe gently, then dry immediately.
- Crystal: Same as above. The mineral crystal is reasonably scratch-resistant but not sapphire — avoid abrasive cleaners.
- Crown: Don't submerge or force water around the crown area. Just wipe the exterior.
- Never use: Alcohol, acetone, bleach, or abrasive cleaners on Bioceramic. These can damage or discolor the surface.
Protecting Your Royal Pop on the Wrist
When worn on a wrist adapter, the Royal Pop is more exposed to daily bumps than inside the pocket watch shell. We recommend:
- A protective bumper case — Slim TPU bumpers add a millimeter of protection around the edges and raise the bezel slightly above the crystal. Cheap insurance.
- Avoid wearing it during high-impact activities — The Bioceramic is tough but not indestructible. Take it off for heavy lifting, contact sports, or manual labor.
- Rotate your straps — If you wear a leather strap, let it air dry between wears. Sweat can degrade leather over time. Silicone and FKM straps are much more forgiving.
Movement Maintenance
The Sistem51 is designed to be maintenance-free — Swatch says you never need to service it. In practice, an automatic movement benefits from:
- Regular wearing (keeps it wound and lubricated)
- Setting the time if it stops (don't force the crown — Sistem51 crowns are simple push/pull)
- Avoiding strong magnetic fields (though the Sistem51 has decent antimagnetic properties)