Emmanuel Macron takes off ‘luxury’ watch during pensions TV interview

Discreet removal causes social media outrage with claims timepiece is worth €80,000 and he is ‘president of the rich’

Emmanuel Macron has sparked social media outrage after eagle-eyed television viewers spotted him removing his “luxury” watch midway through an interview over his fiercely contested pension changes.

The television appearance on Wednesday came one day before more than 1 million protesters – 3 million according to the unions – demonstrated around France to oppose his government raising the retirement age from 62 to 64.