Current Events > Swatch removes ad after accusations of racism.

(+) Yeah! (+)

- Swatch issued an apology and removed an advertisement featuring a model pulling the corners of their eyes, following widespread criticism on Chinese social media.
- The pose was deemed a racist "slanted eye" gesture, historically used to mock Asians, prompting calls for a boycott of Swatch products.
- The company acknowledged the concerns in a statement on Saturday, expressing sincere regret for any distress or misunderstanding caused.
- Swatch immediately withdrew all related materials worldwide to address the issue.
- Despite the apology, some Weibo users remained unsatisfied, with comments suggesting the company was motivated by profit rather than genuine remorse.
- Critics on Weibo accused Swatch of profiting from Chinese consumers while discriminating against them, urging a boycott to assert national pride.
- Approximately 27% of Swatch's revenue comes from China, Hong Kong, and Macau, though sales have declined amid China's economic slowdown, according to Reuters.
- The incident is part of a pattern of boycotts in China, including against H&M, Nike, and Adidas in 2021 over Xinjiang human rights concerns, and Uniqlo in 2024 over cotton sourcing.
- In 2018, Dolce & Gabbana faced a similar boycott after a video depicted a Chinese model using chopsticks clumsily, leading to canceled events and product removals from e-commerce platforms.

- In 2018, Dolce & Gabbana faced a similar boycott after a video depicted a Chinese model using chopsticks clumsily, leading to canceled events and product removals from e-commerce platforms.

That looks like an Asian dude with a headache.

https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/forum/c/c7df3b57.jpg
How's this one?

Been dealing with Swatch group over a Tissot I sent in for some warranty repairs. They fixed the initial problem and it came back about a month later, but now had misaligned hands, and a paint chip on the dial. I had it send it back the next day and now I'm on week 6, still waiting for any update. At this point I'm just going to sell the watch when I finally get it back.

Is there just a whole sequence of him not yet having had coffee?

Models sign up for anything. I'm sure you've seen those commercials where black people are stereotyped.

Of course you'd be trying to brush it off.

How do they not see this? Even if it's completely unintentional, the editor or someone at the publishing should see these gestures photos and notice the problems with it down the line.

That looks like an Asian dude with a headache.

But why male models?

When the average person rubs their temples, they, y'know, actually rub their temples. They don't start at the very corners of their eyes and then stretch the skin back as far as they can.

I thought that said Switch for a second and was curious what Nintendo did wrong.

I googled "rub temples" and was gonna post images that look like swatch guy, but then I figured that's probably ban bait. But anyone can google "rub temples" and see images that look like swatch guy.

Dogwhistling is currently the hottest thing in marketing. American Eagle led the way. And the great thing is that you can simultaneously feign diversity while gaslighting any minorities in the audience.

Can't wait for the Snickers ad where a white guy with a Southern accent says the product name to a curly haired biracial model in such a way that it sounds like the N-word.

https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/forum/c/c7df3b57.jpg
How's this one?

It's kinda wild that people are still denying it after this one.

Literally just Googled it and none of them have the eyes stretched back like that. Like, none of them, dude. And you can tell because of the distinct lack of heavily folded/bunched up skin, in case you don't know what unstretched eyes look like. Also, the vast majority of the images have people with their eyes closed, because that's also usually what people do.

EDIT: Hell, the Always Sunny Charlie gif where he's doing it in an exaggerated, comical fashion, he's still not stretching his eyes. His fingers are nowhere near the actual corner of the eye.

*sigh*

I did it myself in a mirror, and you know what, I was wrong. Let me go on the record as saying that, while I've gotten a lot better at processing it, I am still partially face-blind.

I am still shocked that they would do this when one of their biggest markets is in China, and China doesn't handle controversy like the US does.

Fair enough. Sorry for being aggressive. I and others seemed to notice it very much, so it felt kinda wild to me for somebody not to, just because of how extreme the stretch is in the images, but I get it.

But why male models?

Fair enough. Sorry for being aggressive. I and others seemed to notice it very much, so it felt kinda wild to me for somebody not to, just because of how extreme the stretch is in the images, but I get it.

Male models?

There's no need to apologize. He has a consistent history of going to bat for chuds and brushing off bigotry. He's been through this song and dance numerous times and I'm sure you've seen a few of them. He'll be right back at scoffing at dogwhistles next time as well.

oh wait, you were mad that I needed evidence to admit I was wrong

like i did in this topic

lol

But why male models?

Are you serious? I just told you a moment ago.

I thought that said Switch for a second and was curious what Nintendo did wrong.