Mzansi high rollers spending big time on watches

Two South African men have splurged almost R5-million each on Christophe Claret wrist watches at bling jewellery store Bellagio in Sandton, Joburg, this year alone.

Three more spent over R1-million each buying Urwerk UR106 Lotus time pieces.

The store is likely to sell more units of these brands when rich South Africans dig deep in their pockets to buy Christmas gifts for their loved ones in December.

According to the store's marketing manager Tatum Cogan, they sold several watches of these brands when they started stocking them a while ago.

"This year alone the store sold about two pieces of Christophe Claret going for R4.9-million each," she said.

Cogan said the buyers, mostly black people, love these watches because of their unique intricate details.

But these are not the most expensive watches in the world.

Our scant survey revealed that Patek Philippe is leading the pack with a R280-million piece followed by Vacheron Constantin at R33-million.

Ulysse Nardin Royal Blue Tourbillon and Franck Muller come behind at R32-million and R11-million respectively.