Time is money: Pandemic splurg

Trevor Noah and his exquisite watch. Image via Instagram @insaneluxurylife.

Time is money: Pandemic splurge on watches and Trevor Noah’s collection

Trevor Noah has been spotted flashing a R3.9m watch and surprisingly, celebrities aren’t the only ones splurging on luxury items amid the financial impact of the pandemic.

Time is money: Pandemic splurg

Trevor Noah and his exquisite watch. Image via Instagram @insaneluxurylife.

South African-born comedian and The Daily Show host Trevor Noah turned heads in 2020 when he stepped out in a Richard Mille RM11-03 Automatic Flyback Chronograph watch in rose gold and titanium worth R3.9 million.

TREVOR NOAH’S WATCH COLLECTION

Insane Luxury Life, an Instagram page that highlights the exquisite accessories celebrities have splurged on, posted a picture of Trevor Noah alongside his luxury watch.

Trevor Noah loves his watches. According to Sowetan Live, The Daily Show with Trevor Noah host was previously spotted wearing,

  • Rolex GMT-Master II worth R220 000;
  • Rolex Submariner worth an estimated R120 000;
  • Rolex President Day-Date in 18k yellow gold watch worth an estimated R200 000;
  • Audemars Piguet Royal Oak worth an estimated R400 000; and
  • Patek Philippe Nautilus in rose gold for just over R1 million.

However, Trevor Noah and other celebrities are not the only ones splurging in the middle of a pandemic.

DIAMOND WALK IN SANDTON CITY

While many South Africans are complaining about the economic strain the lockdown has had on themselves and their families, others are shopping away, what some people earn in a month or maybe even a year, on high-end brands such as Louis Vuitton, Jimmy Choo, Gucci, Dolce & Gabbana and others. 

The Citizen reported that the Louis Vuitton store on Diamond Walk in Sandton had shoppers snaking queues from 09:00 in the morning.

How are people splurging this big during a pandemic? Well shoppers’ responses range from wanting a little spoil to being a regular at these stores. 

That is just physical shopping while online shopping for both first hand and second hand luxury items are on the rise.

Business Insider reported that although sales on the watch market are low, the resale market is on the rise as it is not on the same restrictions as territorial sales agreements. 

However, the publication reports that the sale of online luxury watches also happen through authorised dealers, therefore the manufacturer warranties do not apply. This means consumers would only have the business in-house warranties to fall back on in the event of something going wrong. Additional costs such as restocking fees of up to 4% of the may apply which could potentially run into hundreds of thousands of rands. 

Feeling like a big spoil? Here is the list of top 10 most expensive watches on sale in the country.

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TOP 10 MOST EXPENSIVE WATCHES IN SA 

As per Business Insider, these are the top 10 most expensive watches on sale online in South Africa right now

  • 1. Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar R6,999,900
  • 2. A. Lange & Söhne A Owl Series 950: R5,490,000
  • 3. Patek Philippe Nautilus White Gold R4,399,900
  • 4. Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar 41mm R3,999,900
  • 5. Audemars Piguet Royal Oak 41mm R2,749,900
  • 6. Patek Philippe Nautilus R2,499,900
  • 7. Patek Philippe Nautilus R2,368,658
  • 8. Patek Philippe Automatic Blue Dial R2,099,900
  • 9. Ulysse Nardin Freak Diavolo Tourbillon 7-Day R1,999,900
  • 10. Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Chronograph 41mm R1,975,900

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