Take a look at some of SA's expensive timepieces

Cape Town – The market for luxury watches might be small in South Africa but it sure does exist. With online selling, everything has become possible. One of the watches in the SA online market is the Audemars Piguet going for R6.9 million.

But why buy an expensive watch? Well, it’s rumored that watches can make a sound investment if you know what to look for.

According to Insider, Avi Hiaeve, owner of the high-end watch retailer Avi & Co., suggested four names to look for when purchasing a timepiece: Rolex, Audemars Piguet, Patek Philippe, and Richard Mille.

These are all high-end, high-quality items that have historically proven to retain or even increase in value over time, often significantly.

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However, when purchasing large-ticket items such as expensive watches online, one must exercise caution because it is very easy to select a fake piece.

Furthermore, because many of these online sales are made through unauthorised dealers, manufacturer warranties frequently do not apply. You’ll have to rely on the company’s in-house warranties if anything goes wrong.

Duncan Crosson, CEO at Luxe Holdings, which sells luxury watches spoke to Business Insider South Africa and said that online high-end watch sales are still low, primarily due to territorial sales agreements.

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The same restrictions, however, do not apply to resales, which is a growing market in South Africa.

Several stores now sell new, unworn, and used luxury watches that range in price from R4 000 to R7 million.

Take a look at these 10 most expensive watches in South Africa:

10. Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Chronograph 41mm R1,975,900

9. Ulysse Nardin Freak Diavolo Tourbillon 7-Day R1,999,900

8. Patek Philippe Automatic Blue Dial R2,099,900

7. Patek Philippe Nautilus R2,368,658

6. Patek Philippe Nautilus R2,499,900

5. Audemars Piguet Royal Oak 41mm R2,749,900

4. Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar 41mm R3,999,900

3. Patek Philippe Nautilus White Gold R4,399,900