MEXICO CITY — In his last morning press conference as Mexican president, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador raffled off his watch on Monday (Sept 30) to attending journalists in the kind of popular stunt that came to define his presidency.

Lopez Obrador's successor and protege Claudia Sheinbaum, who will be sworn into office on Tuesday, has promised to continue the now iconic daily press conference known as the mananera despite having a very different, more rehearsed style.

"We are not going to have time for questions and answers.. But we are going to have time for what I offered you.. because we are going to raffle the watch," Lopez Obrador said as he removed the timepiece which he has said is worth between 2,000 and 2,500 pesos (S$130 to S$163). Local media reported the brand as Momentum.

Spotting what presidents and ministers are wearing on their wrists is a longtime political sport in Latin America, with several leaders getting into hot water for flaunting expensive time pieces that appear out of touch with their political ideals.

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