Bernie 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.