Swatch Apologizes for Controversial Ad Pulled Worldwide

Geneva, Aug 18 (AP) — Swiss watchmaker Swatch issued an apology on Monday for an advertising campaign that caused upset among consumers in China and other regions. The company announced it had "immediately removed all related materials worldwide".

The controversy arose from an image in the Swatch Essentials collection, depicting an Asian male model using his fingers to pull the edges of his eyelids upward and backward — a gesture widely regarded as derogatory and racist, according to a report by Swiss public broadcaster SRF.

Swatch addressed the issue on Instagram, stating, "We sincerely apologise for any distress or misunderstanding this may have caused." The company assured the public that it would "treat this matter with the utmost importance".

SRF noted that the apology was also shared on the Chinese social network Weibo, in both Chinese and English. (AP) SCY SCY

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