Hundreds of people descend on Westfield for Omega x Swatch MoonSwatch release

There’ve been crazy scenes in Sydney and Melbourne as thousands of people woke up at the crack of dawn and queued up for hours for a new product.

Thousands of people have flooded shopping centres in Sydney and Melbourne to try and get their hands on a rare, limited-edition watch.

Shoppers woke up at the crack of dawn in the hopes of snagging the Omega x Swatch MoonSwatch.

Crazy photos flooded social media showing the massive queues, with police called to Westfield Sydney in a bid to assist security with crowd control.

“Have never seen anything like it, hundreds if not a couple of thousand people lining up for the new Omega Swatch watch. I wondered why it was so busy here I’m off to Target,” Melbourne journalist Luke Dennehy wrote on Twitter, alongside a picture of the line outside Chadstone’s Swatch store before 9am this morning.

“It appears there are thousands here. I’m sure the poor little Swatch shop will run out of watches!”

Have never seen anything like it, hundreds if not a couple of thousand people lining up for the new Omega Swatch watch. I wondered why it was so busy here I’m off to target! pic.twitter.com/XpKjK0FmLq

— Luke Dennehy (@LukeDennehy) March 25, 2022

There were similar scenes in Sydney, with hundreds of people gathering outside the store in Pitt Street Mall this morning.

“Police and security here at the front of Swatch watch in Chadstone. What is social distancing?? It appears these people really want this new watch,” Dennehy wrote in another update.

“The Swatch shop probably holds five customers at the most. Will be an interesting day.”

Hundreds also gathered in Pitt Street Mall this morning in Sydney. Picture: Supplied

The line waiting to get into Westfield. Picture: Supplied

The queues inside Melbourne’s Chadstone shopping centre were just as bad. Picture: Supplied

Not everyone agreed with their plight, with some Twitter users commenting that “nothing is worth lining up [for] like that”.

“It’s only a watch and people are going crazy for me. More money than cents. Enjoy your day today everyone trying to buy this watch,” wrote another.

Huge crowds at Swatch store. Picture: Supplied

Huge crowds at Swatch store. Picture: Supplied

In an update on Instagram, the Swiss watchmaker said they were “delighted” to see the interest in the new collection – but announced purchase limits would be put in place due to the demand.

“Due to the unexpected and phenomenal demand, we are obliged to update the purchase limit to one watch per person until further notice,” their post read.

“We will revert back to two watches per person as soon as possible.

“The watches are not limited and will be available in selected Swatch Stores, with more opportunities to purchase in the coming weeks.”