A 33-year-old French cryptocurrency expert who was shot at point-blank range by a robber trying to steal his $450,000 Richard Mille watch says he believes he was targeted and followed for hours or days before being ambushed outside his Manhattan hotel.

'Given the fact he was waiting there when we arrived and also the violence of the crime, I believe he followed me.

He believes the armed robber researched the watch he was wearing, which is worth an eye-watering $450,000, before launching his attack.

A 25-year-old female friend of the couple jumped on the robber's back and began to choke him.

The suspect was unable to wrangle the pricey watch from Jamaux's wrist because its bracelet security mechanism. It is not clear whether the watch came with the feature or it was added.

Often on his business trips, he hires a bodyguard, but didn't know he would need one in the Big Apple.

'A few days before the shooting we walked for one block around midnight and I did not feel safe at all.

Jamaux works in Hong Kong for Hi, an online banking planform dealing in cryptocurrency, savings and investments.

Jamaux bought his for $150,000 in 2020 as an investment, and now it is now worth a cool $450,000.