A fake IW371704 is a counterfeit copy of an IWC chronograph reference, and the fastest way to identify one is to inspect the movement, the dial printing, and the caseback engraving, in that order. Genuine IWC chronographs use a finished caliber with a signed rotor and deep, even engraving, while most copies hide a stock third party movement behind shallow laser markings. No single detail proves authenticity, so work through the checks below as a set.
Why This Reference Gets Copied
The IW371704 sits in a price range that makes copying worthwhile. It is recognizable, it uses a classic chronograph layout, and its case shape is simple enough that a factory can build something convincing from the outside. The hard part for counterfeiters is everything you cannot see at a glance, which is exactly why a fake IW371704 tends to fall apart under close inspection.
Buyers who get caught usually trust one convincing feature, often a sharp looking dial, and skip the rest of the watch. Treat each check as independent evidence.
Dial and Printing Checks
- Indexes. Applied markers on a genuine watch have crisp edges, a mirror polish, and sit flush against the dial. Copies often show rounded corners, soft edges, or a visible gap or glue line under the marker.
- Text. Brand text and the reference line should be level, evenly spaced, and printed with clean edges at high magnification. Look for wavy baselines, thick strokes, or letters that merge together.
- Subdials. The chronograph registers should be symmetrical, evenly spaced from the center, and printed with concentric circles that match in tone. Off center subdials are a common tell.
- Hands. Genuine hands have a consistent finish along the full length and end in a sharp, defined tip. Replica hands are often slightly too thick, too bright, or unevenly polished.
- Lume. Applied luminous material should sit inside the marker borders. Fakes frequently bleed over the edges or look chalky.
Case, Crown, and Pushers
Look at the transition between brushed and polished surfaces. A genuine case has a hard, clean line where the finishes meet, because the parts are machined and finished separately to a tight tolerance. Counterfeit cases often show a soft, wandering boundary, or polishing that bleeds onto a surface meant to be brushed.
Check the crown for a deeply struck logo rather than a shallow stamp. Press the chronograph pushers: a genuine watch has a defined, firm click at the start of travel and a springy return. Mushy pushers with long travel or a grinding feel point to a cheap module.
The crystal should be sapphire with an anti reflective coating that shows a faint blue or purple tint at an angle. Mineral glass scratches easily and rarely carries this coating.
Caseback Engraving and Reference Numbers
Engraving is one of the strongest signals. Genuine IWC casebacks carry reference and serial numbers cut to an even depth with sharp interior walls. Copies usually use laser etching, which looks shallow, slightly grey, and washes out under angled light. Compare the reference format against IWC's own published product information rather than a marketplace listing, since sellers can mislabel a watch.
On watches with a display back, the movement serial should match the paperwork and the case. Scratched or absent movement markings are a serious warning sign.
Movement and Chronograph Behavior
- Start the chronograph and watch the central seconds hand. It should begin cleanly with no jump or stutter.
- Reset it several times. The hand should snap back to zero instantly and land in the same spot each time.
- Wind the watch slowly and feel for smooth, consistent resistance rather than grit or free spinning.
- Listen to the rotor. A loose, rattling sound suggests a low grade movement.
- Under a loupe, genuine movement finishing shows circular graining, striped bridges, and an engraved rotor. Stamped or printed rotor text is a replica trait.
Boxes, Papers, and Price Signals
Boxes, booklets, and cards are easy to reproduce, so treat them as supporting evidence only. What matters more is provenance: a service record from an authorized service center, an original purchase receipt, or a documented history from a reputable dealer.
Price is the loudest signal of all. When an IW371704 is offered far below the going rate for comparable examples, the discount is the product. There is no reliable reason for a genuine chronograph to be priced at a fraction of the market.
Risks Worth Knowing
In the United States, trafficking in counterfeit goods is illegal, and shipments can be seized by customs. Beyond the legal side, a counterfeit watch has no manufacturer warranty, cannot be serviced by the brand, and holds almost no resale value. Service centers may refuse to work on a counterfeit or decline to return it.
The most practical protection is a pre purchase inspection by an independent watchmaker who handles IWC chronographs, plus a written return policy from the seller. If a seller refuses either, walk away.
Quick Checklist
- Compare dial printing and subdial alignment under magnification.
- Check the case finish transitions and the depth of the crown logo.
- Inspect caseback engraving depth and reference number format.
- Test chronograph start, stop, and reset behavior.
- Ask for service history and confirm the price against the current market.
- Get an independent authentication before paying.