An A-list fashion designer has described how he feared for his life when thugs cut the diamond and crystal Richard Mille watch from his wrist outside an upmarket London restaurant.Catalin Botezatu told jurors he tried to fight back but was overcome as two men restrained him outside Amazonico in Mayfair before a third used a knife to steal the precious timepiece.The three men allegedly ran off. The watch has never been found.Two men, Ali Eldahouzze, 22, and Abdel El Habchi, 30, deny robbery, while a third man, Younes Djoudi, has admitted the same offence.Romanian entrepreneur Mr Botezatu told jurors at Southwark Crown Court today that he was smoking a cigar after leaving Amazonico in Berkeley Square on Wednesday, January 28 when he was set upon.Mr Botezatu, who has worked for the likes of Vogue and Versace, said: 'Three men came running from my right side. I was pushed into the fence and then restrained.'The man in the middle, he had a sharp instrument, I don't know what, and he cut me.'He cut the watch strap as well.' Hollywood fashion designer Catalin Botezatu, pictured at the 2022 Venice International Film Festival The Romanian national, 59, was allegedly robbed of his high-value Richard Mille watch in January Mr Botezatu gave evidence behind a screen at Southwark Crown Court and said he feared for his lifeSpeaking with the assistance of a translator, and protected from view behind a screen, Mr Botezatu described how he was concerned about five previous surgeries to his right-hand side, and so sought to defend his body from a potentially 'lethal' injury during the ordeal.'I feared for my life. Because of my cancer operation, and I have five stents fitted, and because the slightest blow or cut, God forbid, where I was operated, could have been fatal,' he said.'I tried to protect my left arm and the watch, of course.''But I didn't manage to because they used the knife to cut the strap and the others held me.'The watch was taken straight away. Everything happened in a few seconds.'The court heard Mr Botezatu's assistant, Edward Radu, gave chase but the suspects escaped.Mr Botezatu said: 'I couldn't believe this was happening, that something like this would happen in London, in front of a luxury restaurant where I was a client.'The court was shown footage of Mr Botezatu standing on the terrace of Amazonico smoking a cigar with a friend during his meal, during which point the alleged robbers are said to have identified their target as they walked past. Mr Botezatu was leaving Amazonico in Mayfair, London, when he was allagedly ambushedCCTV showed the roped-off entrance was manned by security.Prosecutor Arizuna Asante told jurors the three men acted as part of a joint enterprise to rob the businessman of his watch.He told the court: 'The prosecution say there was an element of planning before, because they scoped out a target and then proceeded to execute it.'The watch was said to be 'high value', having been bought for Mr Botezatu for up to 200,000 euro (£170,000 at today's exchange rate) more than a decade ago.The prosecution said the watch – a limited edition diamond encrusted watch, with a rubber strap – would be worth significantly more today.Mr Botezatu said it had high sentimental value, having been given by a friend who had since died.Mr Asante told jurors: 'The prosecution say there was an element of planning before - because they scoped out a target - and then proceeded to execute it.'All three individuals I have named were scoping out not only the restaurant but also the victim, and must have noticed the watch or recognised it.'Both defendants, assisted in court by Arabic interpreters, deny robbery. Jurors were told El Habchi's case is that he 'did not know, foresee, participate or play a part in the alleged robbery', while Eldahouzze will say he did not intend to steal a watch and acted under duress from Djoudi.The trial is listed to last for four days.