Three convicted in Mayfair robbery of designer’s luxury watch

Three men are facing jail time after a robbery in London’s Mayfair district, where a luxury Richard Mille watch valued at approximately £137,000 to £170,000 was forcibly removed from fashion designer Catalin Botezatu’s wrist.

The incident occurred on January 28 near the Amazonico restaurant in Berkeley Square. Mr. Botezatu testified at Southwark Crown Court that he was surrounded and restrained by the attackers while smoking a cigar. The thieves used a sharp instrument to cut through the watch’s rubber strap, causing cuts to the designer’s wrists during the struggle.

Younes Djoudi has pleaded guilty to the offense. Ali Eldahouzze, 22, and Abdel El Habchi, 30, were both found guilty by a jury following a nine-day trial, despite their claims that they had no prior knowledge of the robbery. All three men have been remanded in custody until their sentencing on October 16.