28 Feb How to steal a watch
How to Steal a Watch
A friendly pickpocket's step-by-step walk through lifting a watch in plain sight — the hunt, the grip, the misdirection and the reveal. For entertainment purposes only!
It's an interesting concept, isn't it? How do you steal a watch off someone's wrist while completely avoiding detection?
The art of pickpocketing is a skill that's taken years to master, and I'd like to give you a little insight into the process.
I was recently hired to perform magic at a wedding drinks reception, and the photographer, Clare Tam-Im, captured the stages perfectly. Let's take a look at how this friendly pickpocket does his thing…
The Hunt
Before any contact is made, I'm on the prowl for a suitable subject — The Mark. The subject requires nothing more than a timepiece. The complexity of the operation is assessed ahead of time, with certain watches proving trickier than others.
To pull off the steal, it's imperative that The Mark is enjoying the performance. In these pictures, I've spotted the perfect applicant.
The Mark
I need to make sure The Mark is relaxed, that I've got their attention and — most importantly — that they're desensitised to a bit of subtle physical touch. During a trick I might shake their hand, gently pat their shoulder or elbow, and say "here, come a little closer so you can really see what's going on."
If The Mark is open to that, we're good to proceed to the next step…
The Faux Trick
Once I'm satisfied The Mark is a good candidate, I position them for what they believe is "another trick." What the trick actually is doesn't matter — it just gives me an excuse to make further contact. Cards, coins or elastic bands: any of them are justification to begin. This is the perfect misdirection, hidden in plain sight.
Here, the mark is told to stretch the elastic bands ("here, stretch this") — notice the grip. I'm "helping" demonstrate how to stretch the band (I'm nice like that!). In reality, it's that grip that does the dirty work. At this point there's no turning back. Applying pressure around the watch keeps the impression it's still on the wrist when I remove it shortly.
Working the strap, buckle and pin with a bit of digital manipulation, the watch is free from its clasp — but still sitting on The Mark's wrist.
"Here, hold it like this…"
Notice the grip!
Spectator thinks I'm holding his wrists for the "elastic band" trick!
The Secondary Misdirection
Once the watch is ready to leave the wrist (I won't go into fine detail on how — I'd only spawn a nation of thieves!), I need another well-timed "look over there" so I can whip it away without detection.
For this I have to think on my feet and improvise with whatever's around me. Years of performing has installed a live-in-the-moment mentality — but on this occasion, it's all too easy. I spy our photographer, who's just become an unknowing accomplice. I tell The Mark to "smile for the camera," and they can't wait to show off their best pose.
And that's my moment — I relinquish their seconds, minutes and hours with a quick flick of the wrist.
The Show (Off)
It's off! All being well, The Mark hasn't noticed (phew!) and the fun can begin. The obligatory pose — dangling their watch behind their back for everyone to see — comes next, and it serves two purposes:
- Makes for a great photo
- Lets everyone watching have a good laugh — and, more importantly, lets them in on the scam
We're not finished, though. The watch needs producing in a memorable way. Simply handing it back would still get a good reaction, but returning it in a bizarre fashion only adds to the experience. From The Mark's point of view, nothing has happened — they were maybe impressed by some elastic bands. I'm about to knock them for six.
The Reveal
I've got some fun methods for this. One involves strapping their watch onto my wrist with an innocent "do you believe in time travel?" In this instance, I take another quiet moment to slip the watch inside my wallet and declare, "you've earned yourself a gift."
I zip open the wallet, reveal the goods, and wait for the penny to drop. Sometimes it takes a beat for the mark to register that this is, in fact, their watch. And once the realisation lands, there's nothing sweeter than the reactions — from The Mark and the watching guests alike.
The whole sequence takes no more than a minute (the original Gone in 60 Seconds!) — but it'll live with those guests forever.
Watches lifted. Guests stunned. Everything handed back.
That gasp when someone's own watch reappears in a wallet? That's the reaction. If you'd like a friendly pickpocket working the room at your wedding, party or corporate do, here's where to look — and everything always comes home.
