French President Emmanuel Macron has been criticised after he removed his watch during an interview about pension changes.

French President Emmanuel Macron has been criticised after he removed his watch during an interview about pension changes.

France is gripped by protests and strikes over Mr Macron's decision to raise the retirement age from 62 to 64

France is gripped by protests and strikes over Mr Macron's decision to raise the retirement age from 62 to 64

Mr Macron's representatives said the president took off the watch because it was "clinking on the table

Mr Macron's representatives said the president took off the watch because it was "clinking on the table

But his critics have claimed the watch shows he is out of touch with the public

But his critics have claimed the watch shows he is out of touch with the public

Some wrongly claimed it was worth up to €80,000 ($86,000; £70,000), but the Élysée Palace said this was not correct

Some wrongly claimed it was worth up to €80,000 ($86,000; £70,000), but the Élysée Palace said this was not correct

The incident happened part way through an interview on Wednesday, when Mr Macron was justifying his reasons for lifting the pension age.

The incident happened part way through an interview on Wednesday, when Mr Macron was justifying his reasons for lifting the pension age.

As he rested his forearms on the table, a thud could be heard.

As he rested his forearms on the table, a thud could be heard.

The president then placed his hands under the table as he continued talking. When he brought them back up, the watch had been removed

The president then placed his hands under the table as he continued talking. When he brought them back up, the watch had been removed