Brisbane detectives are hunting for a man who pulled off a high-priced watch heist, replacing two expensive time pieces with replicas.

The thief's modus operandi was to try on the expensive watch and replace it with a high-end replica.

Brisbane detectives want to speak to this man over the theft of high-priced watches. Credit:QPS

Police have released security footage of the two heists, which occurred almost exactly a year apart, as the anniversary approaches again this week.

A men's Tag Heuer wrist watch valued at more than $5000 was stolen from a jewellery store in Indooroopilly Shopping Centre between 2.30pm and 2.52pm on January 28, 2015.