Losing face Macron slips off ‘€80,000’ watch in TV interview

Emmanuel Macron subtly removed an expensive watch from his wrist during a key television interview on his unpopular pension reform, in what critics say is further proof he is “president of the rich”.

During the half-hour primetime interview on his decision to raise the retirement age from 62 to 64, Mr Macron can be seen starting the broadcast with a large watch with a blue face and black strap on his left arm.

Social media commentators claimed that he then surreptitiously removed the timepiece 11 minutes into the conservation, placing his left arm under the table while calmly continuing to answer a question. When he brought it back, the watch was nowhere to be seen. Many online commentators claimed the timepiece was made by FP Journe and cost €80,000 (£70,000).

In fact, the watch cost far less than some claimed.

According to France Info it is a BRV 1-92 model of French company Bell&ross valued at €2,400 and carries the colours of the president’s security unit, GSPR.

The Elysée insisted that Mr Macron had removed it because it was “clinking on the table”.