Bernie Ecclestone makes light of mugging with Hublot watch advert

Forumula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone has turned his recent mugging into a money spinner after he sported his black eye in a watch advert.

The billionaire businesman was attacked by four men last month as he left his London office – with the vicious thugs leaving the 80-year-old battered and bruised while stealing his £11,000 Hublot watch.

Ecclestone, who is never shy of a business opportunity, sent a picture of his bruised face to the CEO of the luxury watch company together with the comment ‘see what people will do for a Hublot’.

Now Swiss watchmaker Hublot has created an advert displaying the motorsport chief’s mugshot next to an uber-flash timepiece.

Hublot, which is the official watch of Forumula One, then add a disclaimer condemning “all forms of violence and racism”.

Mr Ecclestone said: “I rang them up and suggested this was a chance to do something different.

“I can understand people wanting to rob me when they are poor and they want some things for the kids with Christmas coming along, but what they did was unnecessary.”

The charity Victim Support criticised Hublot for using Bernie Ecclestone’s battered face in the advert.

A spokesperson for the charity said: ”Hublot seems to be making light of crime in order to sell a product, and this advert could be seen as insensitive to victims who are not in a similar position to Bernie.

”Everyone reacts differently to crime. Although it appears Bernie Ecclestone can make light of the incident and get on with his life, for many victims of mugging the impact can be devastating, leaving them fearful to leave the house and unable to move on.”