Which fake IW371670 comes closest to the real watch?
The top-tier replica of the IWC Portugieser Chronograph IW371670 is the closest match you can buy. It pairs a 41mm steel case with a silver-plated dial, running seconds at 6, a 30-minute counter at 12, and a decorated Asia 7750 under a display back. From arm's length it reads as the genuine watch.
The real IW371670 lists near $8,000 in steel. A top replica runs $350 to $600, so the price gap is far wider than the gap in looks.
Buy the top tier. Skip anything under $200.
Why the top-tier fake wins the comparison
Three things decide replica quality: case geometry, dial print, and the movement you see through the back. Top builders get all three close. Budget builders get one right at most.
- Case: 41mm wide, about 13mm thick, with the same lug curve and crown shape as the original.
- Dial: applied numerals at 12 and 6, leaf hands, a printed minute track that stays thin.
- Crystal: domed sapphire with anti-reflective coating on both faces.
- Movement: Asia 7750 with a transfer plate and a rotor dressed to mimic the calibre 69355.
Fake IW371670 compared to the genuine, part by part
Case, crown, and pushers
The genuine case measures 41mm across and 13.1mm thick, and replica listings match those numbers on paper. In hand the fake can feel a touch lighter, and the pusher travel feels softer. Polished bevels on the real case are crisper under a loupe.
Dial and hands
Genuine: silver-plated dial, leaf hands, recessed snailed subdials at 12 and 6. Replicas copy the layout, and the difference shows in print weight and hand polish. Cheap versions use flat hands and thick numerals that look wrong in photos.
Movement
The genuine uses the in-house calibre 69355 with a column wheel and a 46-hour reserve. Most replicas run an Asia 7750 plus a module that moves running seconds to 6 and chrono minutes to 12. That extra gear train is where smoothness and long-term reliability drop.
Caseback and strap
Genuine: sapphire back, deep engraving on the reference and serial, alligator strap on a deployant clasp. Replica: sapphire or mineral back, shallow laser engraving, calf leather that wears out inside a year. Swap the strap and most of the visible difference goes away.
Water resistance and daily wear
The real watch is rated to 30 meters, which covers rain and hand washing. Replica gaskets have no rating you can trust, so take the fake off before you swim or shower.
Other fake IW371670 options compared
Two tiers sit under the pick. Each step down saves money and costs accuracy.
- Mid tier ($220 to $320): same 41mm case and dial layout, plainer 7750 with no decoration, heavier printing, mineral crystal on some batches. Works as a daily wearer.
- Budget tier ($120 to $180): subdials sit off center, the crystal hazes, and the chrono seconds stutter. Fine for a photo, weak on the wrist.
How the fake IW371670 compares to a fake Portugieser 3714
The 3714 is the older Portugieser Chronograph at 40.9mm, and replicas of it are common and cheaper. It runs a modified Valjoux 7750 rather than the in-house 69355, so the real caseback looks different. Pick the 371670 replica for the current dial and case, or the 3714 for a lower price and an older look.
What the replica still gets wrong
Four details give a fake away under a loupe. None of them show at conversation distance.
- Dial print: genuine text sits under a lacquer layer, replica print sits on top and reads flat.
- Hand finish: real leaf hands carry diamond-polished bevels along the full length.
- Caseback engraving: laser marking on the fake is shallow, and the edges look soft.
- Rotor noise: the Asia 7750 spins louder and wobbles more than the 69355.
What to check before you buy
- Ask for close-up photos of both subdials. Hands that sit off center point to a bad module.
- Request a shot of the movement through the caseback.
- Confirm case thickness in millimeters, not "same as original".
- Check that the crown engraving is sharp and centered.
- Ask which strap ships with the watch and whether a deployant is included.
- Get QC photos of your unit before it ships.
FAQ
Does the chronograph on a fake IW371670 work?
Yes on mid and top tiers. The pushers start, stop, and reset the central seconds, and the counter at 12 tracks elapsed minutes. Budget versions sometimes ship with a dummy hand that never moves.
How much does a fake IW371670 cost?
Expect $350 to $600 for the top tier, $220 to $320 for mid, and $120 to $180 for budget. Anything under $100 is a quartz watch with a printed dial.
Can a watchmaker tell it is a replica?
Yes, in under a minute. Movement finish, engraving depth, and dial print do not match IWC standards. The question that matters is whether a stranger at a dinner table can tell, and the answer there is no.
Verdict
Buy the top-tier fake IW371670 if you want the Portugieser look without the $8,000 outlay. It copies the case, dial, and crystal well enough to pass in public, and the movement keeps time. Skip the budget tier, because the savings do not cover the tells.