Ecclestone turns assault into an advert

Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone has turned a mugging into advertising by showing off his black eye in a newspaper advert for a Swiss watchmaker.

Ecclestone suffered a head injury after being mugged in central London, his attackers making off with jewellery including his watch.

"See what people will do for a Hublot," declared the strapline under a photograph of the bruised 80-year-old billionaire in publicity in the Financial Times and International Herald Tribune on Wednesday.

The Swiss watchmaker, part of the French luxury group LVMH, said in a statement that Ecclestone had sent the picture to chief executive Jean-Claude Biver with the remark after he was assaulted in London on Nov. 25.

"Since the two have a certain sense of humor, they agreed to make an advert," said Hublot, who are Formula One's official watchmakers.