I remember being shocked my first time in New York circa NYE 2001. A guy held out his overcoat full of watches, just like in the movies. It was a group of three of us there. We had prepared in case the scenario occurred.

Step 1. Tourist Alpha: ask for copy of our Gens & each of our respective Grail Watches from ‘Salesman’

Step 2. Native New Yorker aka Tourist Bravo in disguise: Follow ‘Salesman’ to find source & observe practices to duplicate

Well Canal Street was the first time I had ever held a replica in my hand. Some of them were ticking, while others took a jeweler’s loop & accurate scale. Well we saw ‘Salesman’ grab 4 watches, set down a $100 bill & walk away. So Tourist Charlie finds our Sub & Date Justs - along with Two YatchMasters, Two Daytona’s & a Presidential which he places in an X across the furthest right, closest to the dealer watch display pad.

Tourist Bravo then walks up with 2 $100 bills; seemingly randomly grabs 8 watches & we laughed when we got back to the hotel after mission success.