POLITICS
What brand/model was Macron’s luxury watch he took off during interview?
The French president, during an interview to explain the controversial pension reform, removed it while the cameras were pointed elsewhere.
France is currently experiencing a tumultuous period due to the controversy surrounding the proposed changes to the pension system. President Emmanuel Macron’s new reform, which was approved by decree without consulting the opposition, raises the minimum retirement age to 64 years, two years later than the previous age. Moreover, the number of years required to contribute to qualify for a full pension will be increased from 41 to 43 as of 2027.
France protests on Macron’s watch
Protests have been taking place for several days in the main cities of the country, amid this tense situation. A recent gesture by President Macron has caught the attention of the French and provoked a new source of anger. During an interview regarding the changes to the pension system, the President removed a luxurious watch from his left wrist.
The French Executive representatives claim that the President removed the watch because it collided with the table while he was gesturing, hence the decision to take it off. However, critics argue that this gesture is linked to a lack of sensitivity to the ongoing protests in the streets, as the French people vehemently oppose the proposed changes to the pension system.
Why did Macron hide his luxury watch?
At the start of the interview, the French President appeared on screen wearing a watch that was being rumored to cost up to 80,000 euros (c.$86,000). However, after briefly taking his hands off the table, he appeared without it. During the interview, Macron provided an explanation for his government’s decision to increase the retirement age. At one point, he raised his hands again, but the watch was no longer on his wrist.
The President’s team assured those questioning the change that it was an innocent gesture without any significant implications, but the opposition strongly criticized Macron. Clémence Guetté of the La France Insoumise party, who participated in the protests, highlighted the image of the President taking off his “beautiful luxury watch” while mentioning the unprecedented purchasing power of minimum wage earners. “The President of the rich has never lived up to his name so well,” added Farida Amrani from his own party.
The Élysée Palace later specified that the watch was a Bell & Ross BR V1-92 customized with a coat of arms. Online prices for the watch, without customization, range from 1,660 euros to 3,300 euros (€1=$1.08). They confirmed from the Élysée that the President had been using it regularly for more than a year and a half.