Reuters
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Swiss watchmaker Swatch issued an apology, pulling an ad featuring images of Asian male models and pulling the corners of the eye up and down in a “different eye” pose.
Images from the Swatch Essentials collection have been widely criticized online in China, with many comments saying they appear to mimic racist provocations about the Asian eye.
In an apology posted on the official account of the Weibo social media platform in both Chinese and English on Saturday, Swatch said it had “beware of recent concerns” and deleted all relevant materials from around the world.
“I sincerely apologize for any pain and misunderstandings that this may have caused,” the statement said. He also posted the same apology on Instagram.
The Swatch Group did not immediately respond to Reuters’ requests for further comment.
Swatches, which manufactures Omega, Rondyne and Tissot watches, have also been heavily exposed to China for revenue, with around 27% of the group’s sales last year due to sales from China, Hong Kong and Macau regions.
Watchmakers’ revenues fell 14.6% in 2024 to 6.744 billion ($8.4 billion), a slump in demand in China, with Swatch saying “overall demand for consumer goods is sustainably difficult.”
