A fake IW371789 is a counterfeit copy of an IWC Portugieser Chronograph built around the IW3717 reference prefix. The genuine watch is a 41 mm stainless steel chronograph with a column wheel movement, sapphire crystal and an alligator or steel strap. Replica sellers reuse the same reference number, and the copies give themselves away on the movement, the caseback engraving and the subdial spacing.
What Is Reference IW371789?
IWC reference numbers begin with IW and end with three digits that map to a specific case, dial and strap combination. The IW3717 block covers Portugieser Chronograph models in stainless steel. Change the final digits and you get a different dial color, strap or bracelet.
That numbering system is useful when you are shopping. A listing that shows one IW3717 number but ships a watch with a different dial or strap is either mixing up stock or selling a copy.
The modern Portugieser Chronograph in this size class measures about 41 mm across and about 13 mm thick. It runs IWC caliber 69355, a column wheel chronograph with roughly 46 hours of power reserve.
How Do You Spot a Fake IW371789?
Six checks catch most replicas. Work through them in order, and start at the back of the watch.
Case and finishing
- Genuine cases have sharp lug edges with even brushing on top and clean polishing on the sides. Fakes show rounded edges and polish that bleeds past the line.
- The crown on a real IWC sits flush, turns with light resistance and carries a crisp logo stamp.
- Feel the weight. A 41 mm steel IWC with a sapphire crystal and a real movement has a density that zinc alloy and hollow cases do not match.
Dial and printing
- Look at the applied numerals under a loupe. Real ones have square edges and sit on flat feet. Stamped fake numerals show soft corners.
- Subdial spacing tells you which movement sits inside. A 7750-based copy pushes the subdials apart or drops them lower than the real layout.
- Text is thin and even on a genuine dial. Fakes show thick paint, uneven letter spacing and date fonts that are too bold.
Movement and caseback
- A real IWC caseback is engraved, not printed. The engraving has depth you can feel with a fingernail.
- Many replicas use laser printing that sits on the surface and wears off within months.
- If you can open the back, look for a column wheel and a vertical clutch. Most copies use a cam and a horizontal clutch.
- Serial and reference numbers on a real IWC match across the caseback, the movement and the paperwork. Copies seldom match all three.
Strap, buckle and box
- Genuine IWC straps are cut and stitched with even spacing, and the folding clasp snaps with a firm click.
- Fake straps use thinner leather, coarse stitching and a clasp that rattles when you shake it.
- Papers and boxes are cheap to copy. Treat them as decoration, not proof.
What Do Replica IW371789 Watches Get Wrong?
Modern replicas of the Portugieser line look close in photos and fall apart in the hand. Case sizes land 1 to 2 mm off, which changes how the watch sits on the wrist.
- Movement: Asian 7750 clones or quartz. Both lose the smooth sweep and the pusher feel of the real chronograph.
- Crystal: genuine double anti-reflective sapphire against mineral glass or single-coated sapphire that flares under light.
- Water resistance: factory gaskets are rated to 3 bar or more. Copies leak in the shower.
- Parts: case tubes, spring bars and gaskets are non-standard, so a repair shop has to improvise.
How Much Does a Fake IW371789 Cost?
Replica pricing in this segment runs from about $80 for a quartz copy to $400 or more for a clone with a 7750 movement. Sellers asking $1,000 or more for a so-called 1:1 super clone are pricing on hype, not on materials.
A genuine steel Portugieser Chronograph sells for several thousand US dollars new, so a $300 asking price is a signal on its own. No dealer sells a real one at that level.
Is Buying a Fake IW371789 Legal?
Selling counterfeits is illegal in the United States and across most of Europe, and a parcel can be seized at customs. Buying for personal use sits in a gray zone in some countries, but the shipping risk is the same.
Service is the practical problem. Brand service centers turn away counterfeits, so every fault becomes your cost. A $400 replica with a broken chronograph module often costs more to fix than to replace.
What Should You Check Before You Buy?
- Match the reference number against IWC's own catalog page for that model.
- Ask for macro photos of the dial, the caseback engraving and the movement.
- Request the serial number and confirm it appears on the paperwork.
- Pay with a method that offers buyer protection.
- Get the return policy in writing before money changes hands.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does IW371789 exist as a real IWC reference?
IWC builds the Portugieser Chronograph across a set of IW3717 references that differ by dial, strap and bracelet. If a listing shows a number you cannot match to a current or past catalog page, treat that as a warning sign.
Can a jeweler tell a fake IW371789 from a real one?
Yes. A watchmaker with a caseback tool and a loupe will spot the movement and the engraving in under a minute.
Do replica IW371789 watches take genuine IWC straps?
Sometimes, if the lug width matches, but a genuine IWC strap costs more than the fake watch itself and the spring bars often do not fit the replica lug holes.
What is the biggest giveaway on a fake Portugieser?
The movement. Quartz copies tick once a second, and 7750-based copies have a spongy pusher feel that no column wheel chronograph shares.