SHANGHAI (Reuters) -Swiss watchmaker Swatch has issued an apology and pulled ads featuring images of an Asian male model pulling the corners of his eyes up and backwards in a "slanted eye" pose. The
Swatch Issues Apology for Controversial 'Slanted Eye' Advertisement
Swatch's Controversial Advertisement and Response
SHANGHAI (Reuters) -Swiss watchmaker Swatch has issued an apology and pulled ads featuring images of an Asian male model pulling the corners of his eyes up and backwards in a "slanted eye" pose.
Details of the Advertisement
The images for the Swatch Essentials collection were widely condemned online in China, where many comments said they appeared to mimic racist taunts about Asian eyes.
Public Reaction and Apology
In an apology posted in both Chinese and English on its official account on the Weibo social media platform Saturday, Swatch said that it has "taken note of the recent concerns" and removed all related materials worldwide.
Financial Impact on Swatch
"We sincerely apologise for any distress or misunderstanding this may have caused," the statement said. It also posted the same apology on Instagram.
Swatch Group did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for further comment.
Swatch, which also makes Omega, Longines and Tissot watches, is heavily exposed to China for revenue, with around 27% of the group's sales last year coming from the China, Hong Kong and Macau region.
Revenue for the watchmaker last year slumped 14.6% to 6.74 billion Swiss francs ($8.4 billion) in 2024, hit by a downturn in demand in China, where Swatch said it was seeing "persistently difficult market conditions and weak demand for consumer goods overall".
($1 = 0.8065 Swiss francs)
(Reporting by Casey Hall; Editing by Edwina Gibbs)
