JCK Take 3: Bruce Bridges, Royal Pop, RJC

By JCK News Desk | May 27, 2026

AGTA President Joins Trade Advisory Committee on Africa

Bruce Bridges, president of the American Gem Trade Association (AGTA), has been appointed to the U.S. Trade Advisory Committee on Africa (TACA), by Trump Administration trade representative Jamieson Greer. His term began May 20 and will run through Jan. 23, 2030.

Bridges’ appointment positions the jewelry industry for stronger representation in key trade policy discussions impacting sub-Saharan markets. Supporting Bridges in this effort will be AGTA CEO John W. Ford Sr., who will serve as staff representative and liaison to both TACA and the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative.

TACA, established in 1975, advises the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative on negotiations, policy initiatives, and development issues affecting African nations.

Bridges, who was a guest earlier this year on JCK’s podcast, brings firsthand knowledge of gemstone sourcing, global supply chains, and international trade dynamics to his new role.

Audemars Piguet x Swatch Launch Drives Record Traffic

royal pop helvetus pink — *Royal Pop Helvetus Pink*

Audemars Piguet CEO Ilaria Resta said on Bloomberg Television that the brand’s website saw more than 10 times its typical traffic in a single day following the launch of the Royal Pop pocket watch collaboration with Swatch.

The Royal Pop’s in-store-only release on May 16 sparked a global frenzy, with some Swatch locations forced to close due to overwhelming crowds. But demand has extended well beyond the initial product drop, igniting a strong halo effect across both brands and generating a wave of new consumers entering the watch—and broader luxury—market.

According to Chrono24, interest in Audemars Piguet’s flagship Royal Oak jumped 40%, while requests for MoonSwatch (an earlier Swatch collaboration, with Omega) surged 422%.

In rewriting the playbook for luxury timepieces, the Royal Pop partnership signals an evolution in luxury strategy: leveraging mass-market collaborations to preserve craftsmanship and relevance.

RJC Elects New Officers and Board

Following its annual general meeting, the Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC) today announced its newly elected board members and officers.

“These appointments reflect the voice of our membership and bring valuable expertise and perspectives to the RJC as we continue supporting the responsible growth and evolution of our industry,” said RJC chair Dave Meleski.

View the complete list of 2026 RJC appointments here.

The JCK News Desk uses AI to help research and produce the first draft of articles. This story was then reviewed and edited by staff writer Libby Rutkey.

Top: Bruce Bridges (photo courtesy of AGTA)