Swatch CEO Says No LGBT Reference On Pride Watches

Swatch CEO Nick Hayek refutes claims that the Pride Collection watches were confiscated due to LGBT references on the products.

Credit: Malay Mail

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Previously, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim stated that the recent confiscation of Swatch’s watches from the Pride Collection is due to the inclusion of elements related to the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) movement on the products.

Anwar emphasized that the issue wasn’t solely about the colours of the watches but the inclusion of LGBT elements on them.

While he wasn’t given the details of the raid, he leaves the Home Ministry to provide an explanation.

Swatch Group chief executive officer Nick Hayek refuted Anwar’s claims and claimed the watches did not contain any reference to the LGBT community, New Straits Times reported.

The Malaysian prime minister Mr Anwar Ibrahim stated in a recent interview that Swatch’s latest collection of colourful watches includes the letters LGBT on their dials. Apparently, he was misinformed. Swatch has not included any reference to the LGBT community on the dials of this year’s Pride Collection.
Swatch Group chief executive officer Nick Hayek

Hayek said the colourful watches include the meaning of each pride colour (life, healing, sunlight, nature, harmony, spirit) on the minute hands and two loops that form a rainbow.

On 13 and 14 May, the Home Ministry raided several Swatch stores and confiscated the products from the Pride Collection.

Swatch also said it would take legal action to seek the return of the watches, Free Malaysia Today reported.

Swatch Malaysia marketing manager Sarah Kok said that Swatch will replenish the stock and display them on shelves based on instructions from Switzerland HQ.

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