The best fake IW371613 is a replica that copies the IWC Portugieser Chronograph's 41 mm case, its two-subdial dial, and a working chronograph, and that comes from a seller who sends real QC photos of the exact watch before shipping. Judge a replica on case finishing, dial print, and movement type, not on the tier label a seller gives it.
Fake IW371613: How to Judge a Portugieser Chronograph Replica
What should you check first on a fake IW371613?
Start with the case. The genuine watch measures 41 mm across and about 13 mm thick, so a replica that sits far outside those numbers is wrong before you look at the dial.
Fake IWC Portugieser IW371613: How to Tell Real From Fake
The modern IW3716 has a sapphire display back, which puts the movement on show. That changes what "best" means: a plain A7750 with rough brushing fails the moment the watch is turned over.
- Case: 41 mm, sharp lug edges, the correct mix of brushed flanks and polished bevels.
- Thickness: close to 13 mm. A thin case on a chronograph means quartz.
- Crystal: sapphire with anti-reflective coating on both faces, not just one.
- Caseback: display sapphire, engraving depth and font matching reference photos.
- Weight: a steel case should feel heavy in the hand.
Which movement does the best replica use?
The genuine IW3716 runs IWC Calibre 69355, a column-wheel chronograph with about 46 hours of power reserve. Replicas almost never use it.
Most fakes run an Asia Valjoux 7750 or a clone of it. That movement is reliable for the money, but it is thicker, its rotor spins with a visible wobble, and a modular plate is needed to move the subdials into the Portugieser layout.
A top-tier build uses a decorated A7750 with blued screws, perlage, and a bridge shaped to copy the 69355. Ask for macro photos of the back before you decide.
Does the chronograph feel right?
Ask for a video. Pushers should start, stop, and reset with a firm click, and the reset hand should snap back to 12 without creep. A mushy pusher or a hand that lands off zero points to a worn module or a build set wrong.
How do you judge the dial and hands?
The dial is where most fakes lose the argument. Zoom in on seller photos and compare them with official IWC press images of the same reference.
- Print: the minute track and the "IWC Schaffhausen" text should stay crisp at 3x zoom, with no bleeding.
- Hands: leaf-shaped, thin at the tip, with a polished bevel. Fakes often ship flat painted hands.
- Subdials: recessed, fine snailed texture, hands centered, spacing even from the pinion.
- Applied markers: correct height, sharp facets, no glue visible at the base.
- Lume: even color, no yellow tint on a fresh watch.
What do price tiers tell you?
Price tracks the movement and the dial work. Nothing else.
- Under $120: quartz or a cheap automatic, wrong thickness, subdials that do not work.
- $200 to $350: entry A7750 builds, correct size, average dial print.
- $400 to $600: better case brushing, decorated movement, sharp dial print. Most solid picks sit here.
- Above $700: modded builds with swapped hands, custom dials, or upgraded crystals. Ask what was changed and by whom.
A seller who asks top-tier money for a stock A7750 build is the clearest red flag in this market. Get the movement name in writing before you pay.
How do you pick a seller?
Buy the seller before you buy the watch. One good experience does not make a trusted dealer, and one bad review does not sink a good one either.
- QC photos with a dated tag, showing the actual watch rather than a stock image.
- A video of the chronograph running, plus a timegrapher reading.
- Payment through a method with buyer protection. Wire-only sellers are a hard no.
- A stated return window and a contact channel that answers after payment.
- Feedback you can trace on watch forums and subreddits, not just on the seller's own site.
What should you inspect on arrival?
Do this inside the return window. Test everything before you size the bracelet or wear the watch outside.
- Wind and set the time. The crown should engage at each position with no grit.
- Run the chronograph five times. Check start, stop, and reset to zero.
- Check the date change if your dial variant has one. It should flip near midnight, not at noon.
- Look for dust under the crystal and scratches on the case flanks.
- Time it over 24 hours. A drift beyond about 15 seconds a day is worth a complaint.
Is buying a fake IW371613 legal?
Rules differ by country. In the US, selling counterfeit goods is illegal, and customs can seize a replica watch at the border. The buyer carries the risk of a lost parcel with no refund.
That risk is part of the real cost. Factor it in before you order from overseas.
FAQ
Can a jeweler spot a fake IW371613?
Yes, once the caseback is opened. Movement finish, rotor engraving, and the column wheel are hard to copy at a low price. From across a table, a top-tier build can pass.
Is a replica Portugieser Chronograph waterproof?
Treat it as splash-resistant at best. Gaskets on replicas are not tested to the same standard, so keep it out of water even when the listing claims 30 m or more.
How long does an A7750 last?
Two to five years with normal wear, shorter if you use the chronograph often. A service can cost more than a replacement movement.