2025-08-19 17:41
publication
2025-08-19 17:41
The Swiss SWATCH watches producer issued an official apology in response to a wave of criticism in Chinese social media caused by a promotional photo depicting a model taking a gesture of “sloping eyes”, he reported on Tuesday the daily “South China Morning Post”. Photography was considered offensive to Asians.
In the statements published on the weekend on Instagram platforms and the Chinese equivalent X – Weibo – Swatch Group submitted “a sincere apology for any inconveniences or misunderstanding that it could (photo – PAP) cause”. The company emphasized that “approaches this matter with the highest seriousness” and, as added, “all related materials around the world have been removed.”
Popular Chinese Internet users with millions of watching unambiguously defined SWATC's advertising as “racism towards Asians” and “offending the Chinese”. It was emphasized that such activities are particularly harmful at the present time when the watchmaking industry is struggling with difficulties. Comments on social media indicated that even if the intention was not offended, such a gesture does not add value to the product, but only attracts attention in a controversial way.
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Last week, the SWATCH Group reported in the first half of the year a decrease in operating income from 204 million Swiss francs last year. up to 68 million francs (USD 84 million), which “exclusively” resulted from the situation on the Chinese market, including Hong Kong and Makau. However, the company expects to improve in the second half of the year.
“SCMP” notes that it is not certain whether an apology is enough to alleviate public indignation and fix the SWATCH reputation in China.
From Beijing Krzysztof Pawliszak (PAP)
KRP/ MMS/
