Anabelle Colaco
20 Aug 2025, 20:43 GMT+10
SHANGHAI, China: Swiss watchmaker Swatch has apologised and withdrawn a global advertising campaign after images featuring an Asian male model making a "slanted eye" gesture sparked outrage on Chinese social media.
The ads, promoting the Swatch Essentials collection, were widely condemned online, with users saying the imagery echoed racist stereotypes about Asian eyes.
In a statement posted in both Chinese and English on Weibo, Swatch said it had "taken note of the recent concerns" and removed all related materials worldwide. "We sincerely apologise for any distress or misunderstanding this may have caused," the company wrote, posting the same message on Instagram.
Swatch Group, which also owns Omega, Longines, and Tissot, did not immediately respond to Reuters' request for additional comment.
China is a crucial market for the group, accounting for roughly 27 percent of sales last year across mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macau. Swatch has struggled with weaker demand in the region, reporting a 14.6 percent drop in annual revenue to 6.74 billion Swiss francs (US$8.4 billion) in 2024. The company cited "persistently difficult market conditions and weak demand for consumer goods overall" in China as a key drag on results.Top of Form
Bottom of Form
Get a daily dose of Nigeria Sun news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Nigeria Sun.
More InformationSHANGHAI, China: Swiss watchmaker Swatch has apologised and withdrawn a global advertising campaign after images featuring an Asian...
VILLARDEVÓS, Spain: Spain has sent an additional 500 military personnel to fight 20 significant wildfires burning across the country,...
IRBIL, Iraq: Iraqi authorities have launched the excavation of a site south of Mosul believed to contain one of the largest mass graves...
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: Afghan women were barred from public celebrations this week, marking the fourth anniversary of the Taliban's return...
JERUSALEM, Israel: Hundreds of thousands of Israelis have staged one of the largest demonstrations since the Gaza war began, demanding...
WASHINGTON, D.C.: The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) noted that measles cases are surging across the Americas, with North...
London [UK], August 20 (ANI): England white-ball captain Harry Brook heaped praise on Sonny Baker's skill to put modern-day stars succumb...
MTN has said it is cooperating with Washington in a case related to its operations in Afghanistan and Iran South African telecommunications...
London [UK], August 20 (ANI): England captain Harry Brook hailed young all-rounders Rehan Ahmed and Jacob Bethell for their recent...
London [UK], August 20 (ANI): England is set to visit Sri Lanka, the co-host of next year's T20 World Cup, for a white-ball tour, in...
Uganda has reportedly agreed to accept an unspecified number of deportees, provided they do not have criminal records ...
Uganda has reportedly agreed to accept an unspecified number of deportees, provided they do not have criminal records Uganda has...
