In person watch shopping

Salesperson: Can I hep you?

Customer: Not right now thanks, just looking but I'll let you know if I have any questions.

Salesperson: Anything particular you're looking for?

Customer:  Bye

For the few times I've been in to try on watches, I've said I'm in the process of saving for my next purchase and trying to figure out what I want to buy. Makes it seem like you're not just there to waste time but also you're being upfront about not being ready to buy.

Do your research prior to going in person so know or have fair idea of what you're looking for and at. 

Speak to one of the SA and explain to them you've browsed at the watch online and need to inspect a few options before any purchase can be considered as it's essential as you say to see it in the metal. Any decent SA should fully understand and be aware they may not make a sale there and then but know by giving a good impression when/if you do buy you may return. 

Remember that the sales associate is only one level higher on the food chain than the guy handing fries out the window at the drive thru.  The sales associates do tend to dress a bit better.  Ask them to take out the watches you want to see.  Try them on and spend as much time with the watch as you need.  Change the time and date and wind the watch if it isn't quartz.  If it doesn't speak to you or your not ready to pull the trigger just say thanks and walk away or tell them you want the watch with a purple dial.  Most don't offer purple.

That’s a little harsh.  The salesperson is not the enemy, so why penalize them for trying to make a living?  If you know even approximately what you’re looking for, they may be able to offer helpful advice or show you something that just came in but hasn’t been put out on display yet.

Lots of good suggestions in this thread for dealing with salespeople.  You’re under no obligation to buy at that time or even later.

I did this just the other day.  To be honest I window shopped. Looked at some watches, seen some pricing and ran home like a little girl. I think it might be like working out. Just got to do it again and make progress. 

A good AD should do everything they can to make you feel comfortable.  And if they don’t, then try another.    
granted finding one can sometimes be hard and take a little time depending on where you live, but once you do ... you’re all set. 

I'll share my first experience watch shopping here in NYC. I had similar trepidation, feeling awkward and out place. tl;dr: I've had pretty uniformly pleasant experiences at ADs. 

So, I went to Watches of Switzerland in SoHo, slightly anxious, not knowing what to expect. I had no intention of buying that day; I just wanted to lay eyes on some of the watches I'd heard about. Someone greeted me at the door, I'm Carlos, may I help you, are you looking for something today? No, just want to have a look around. Please let me know if you need anything. I got to the Omega case and laid eyes on a Seamaster for the first time. He caught me looking at it, Would you like to try it on? So I did. He ended up following me around the store as I stopped at case after case, though I did make clear I didn't intend to buy anything that day; I must have tried on a dozen watches. He also happened to be very knowledgeable and informative, chatting up various brands. I boggled at some wild number with a gold dragon, clearly out of my league. Go on, try it on anyway, he said. So I did. Can I pull this off? Looks good on you. Hmm, I think it's way over the top for modest me. We both knew I was never going to buy it. 

Once, much later, I went to Cellini, specializing in very high end independents, ostensibly to look at a Zenith (there aren't many Zenith ADs in New York). I ended up looking at Moser and Uhrwerk and Ressance, and tried on a Lange Zeitwerk. It was very clear they were all out of my league, but the salesman seemed very willing to chat, and we joked about choosing between a watch and a house. 

I've since been to lots of ADs and boutiques around town. Experiences vary, but pretty uniformly cordial and pleasant. The worst I've gotten is indifferent. If anything, they can be too obsequious. Sometimes I do just want to browse without someone looking over my shoulder, so I try to give off polite please leave me alone vibes. And I do feel guilty sometimes when I'm just showrooming, so I don't want to be demanding. The vibe I get from them, doesn't matter what you look like, treat everyone like a potential customer, cause you never know, you could be. People there are in all states of appearance and dress. I once watched a sales lady show around two guys who looked like construction workers speaking broken English; they get to the used Rolex case and plunked down $16k on a chronograph. They also realize most people aren't going to plunk down multiple thousands on first sight, so they try to cultivate you, spark an interest and entice you come back. Lots of handing out of business cards and Don't hesitate to let me know if I can help in any way. 

So yeah, I get feeling nervous, but try to relax, be polite and cordial, and you'll probably have a good time. 

Take a friend. Pretend said friend is the one looking for a watch and that you are just tagging along to keep them company while they shop. All focus of the SA will be on the friend (who’s likely not really interested). All the while you can also look at and try on the pieces as the supportive friend offering your opinion and advice on the pieces they want 😁

Thanks everyone for the suggestions, I feel a bit more at ease!

I suspect this is a bit like new car shopping in that you'll have a more relaxed time showing up at off peak hours. Go on a weekday morning and not midday or closing time on a weekend. Beginning of the month may help too, I don't know.

Barring a few ridiculously snooty places, the problem is likely less to be rejection than avoiding temptation. They're trying to sell you a watch and you'll have to resist for the moment.