If you are hunting for a convincing alternative to the fake IW371646 — the replica market's take on the IWC Portugieser Chronograph — the field is crowded with options that range from forgettable to genuinely sharp. Our top pick leads because it gets the details that matter most on the wrist right: the vertical bicompax dial, the slim polished case, and the leaf-shaped hands. Below is what makes it work, followed by two runners-up worth a closer look.
Key Features
- 41 mm polished 316L stainless steel case with a slim 13 mm profile and gently curved lugs
- Vertical bicompax dial — running seconds at 6 o'clock, 30-minute counter at 12
- Applied Arabic numerals and leaf hands with clean, distortion-free finishing
- Domed sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating on both faces
- Exhibition caseback showing the automatic chronograph movement
- 30 m water resistance with a push-pull crown and pump pushers
- 20 mm lug width paired with a quick-release alligator-grain leather strap
- Offered in silver-white, slate, and salmon dial variants
Materials and specs. The case is machined from 316L stainless steel and finished with alternating polished flanks and brushed lugs, which keeps the light play close to the original. Inside sits a 7750-derived automatic chronograph running at 28,800 vph with roughly a 40-hour power reserve and a smooth, properly snapping reset. The dial uses a multi-layer lacquer over a brass base, so the printing stays crisp under magnification, and the strap is genuine leather with an embossed alligator texture and a signed pin buckle. The runners-up trade a little dial accuracy for a thinner case and a quieter rotor, so they suit anyone who wears a watch under a cuff all day.
Shipping and returns. Orders leave the warehouse within one to two business days in plain, unbranded packaging with tracking included. Every watch is checked and timed before dispatch, and a seven-day inspection window covers anything that arrives misaligned or running outside spec — returns are straightforward as long as the strap and case stickers stay intact.
Is this a good alternative to the IW371646?
Yes — it reproduces the proportions and dial architecture that define the reference, which is exactly where most budget replicas fall apart. If you want the closest overall look without stepping up a tier, this is the one to start with.
How close is the dial to the original layout?
Very close: the subdials sit on the vertical axis at 12 and 6, the numerals are applied rather than printed, and the handset matches the leaf profile. The main tell under a loupe is the slightly softer finishing on the counter hands.
What should I check before ordering?
Confirm the lug width and case thickness against the strap you plan to use, and ask for a timegrapher reading if you care about accuracy out of the box. Also verify the dial color code, since silver-white and slate photograph very differently.