SHANGHAI, Aug 18 (Reuters) - Swiss watchmaker Swatch

has issued an apology and pulled ads featuring images of

an Asian male model pulling the corners of his eyes up and

backwards in a "slanted eye" pose.

The images for the Swatch Essentials collection were widely

condemned online in China, where many comments said they

appeared to mimic racist taunts about Asian eyes.

In an apology posted in both Chinese and English on its

official account on the Weibo social media platform Saturday,

Swatch said that it has "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 statement said. It also posted the

same apology on Instagram.

Swatch Group did not immediately respond to a Reuters

request for further comment.

Swatch, which also makes Omega, Longines and Tissot watches,

is heavily exposed to China for revenue, with around 27% of the

group's sales last year coming from the China, Hong Kong and

Macau region.

Revenue for the watchmaker last year slumped 14.6% to 6.74

billion Swiss francs ($8.4 billion) in 2024, hit by a downturn

in demand in China, where Swatch said it was seeing

"persistently difficult market conditions and weak demand for

consumer goods overall".

($1 = 0.8065 Swiss francs)