It is possible in Shanghai if you have a fair bit of time. In the AP Plaza mall walk around some of the stalls on the KFC side (J / I / R). It is easy to get lost in there as the layout is confusing so a top tip is to find a service area and take a photo of the maps on the walls as they have all the store numbers on them. You will find mostly shops selling $30 (max) stuff but there are a few people there selling other goods that do also have decent watch businesses off site with stuff from the good factories (they are selling these on line in China via TD like sites). Its not that hard to find them if you ask around in some shops, they all seem to know each other and are pretty relaxed about foreigners. Or just look closely at some of the vendors wrists - you will see some younger well dressed chaps wearing JF AP ROO and the like, still with the holograms/904L stickers on them. The reason it takes time is you have to strike up a decent conversation with them, then they have to make calls find out if they have what you want. Mostly they will be able to put their hands on some of the newer JF/Noob/ARF models there and then and they are very knowledgeable about the different versions. They might offer to bring some other pieces to you later or offer you a visit to their stockroom. They also have some variations I haven't seen on TD sites. If you want something specific that they don't have, you need to give them 3 days to get it. Then there is the price negotiation - also takes a lot of time to get close to a TD price as their local prices tend to be a bit higher and it is fair to expect to add a % for their time looking after you face to face - not risk free for them presumably. You also need to have time to be able go back and see them to refund/exchange if there is an issue with the watch. Really nice to do once or twice for the experience but I definitely agree with others that TDs are a far more efficient route.