Mostly all the watches are setup in wooden carts or even dealers sitting briefcases up on fire hydrants. Such as the picture above a gentleman was showcasing his goods at a intersection. At times I am told the street is virtually dead as vans swoop down on the dealers to get their fake wares.

I had noticed right off the bat that the Asians were the players on the street. The Arabics mostly had low end quartz models and the perfumes. Yes, even knockoff perfumes filled the streets, I wear Old Spice so I couldn't notice a difference in the aromas. I hardly think $5 for a bottle of MK could be real though.

So back focusing on my new found Asian friends I started looking for the fable Swiss replica Rolex watches. As soon as I mentioned these models the dealers blew me off. In time I found some younger dealers willing to talk or show me some samples. The Swiss models I was shown lacked many details even a good scam site would carry. Most noticeably was the lack of true gold or the non-screw bands. The quartz models shown to be for $20 where just plain terrible as their light weight was the first thing I noticed.

This stand above was the most willing to show me everything. Passing through a hidden wall of leather belts I went in a staircase. I told him I was a dealer looking to get some samples. I took his name, probably fake, and his confirmed telephone number. He allow me to take many pictures and just browse around it his suitcase. I noticed many where in poor shape with massive amounts of damage. His response was to shrug and say "they look real now".

My bottom line is this, the streets of Canal are not quite what one would expect. Canal Street is more like a huge flea market for replicas. High end Swiss models could not be found with everyone and the basic feel is cheaper is better down there. 

I will post some more pictures and more comments at a later time. I am busy right now poking apart some cheap $5 Movado watches I got up there for fun.