An imitation IW5105 is a copy of an IWC reference, and the only reliable way to judge one is to compare it against the genuine specification: case diameter, thickness, movement type, dial layout, and caseback markings. Confirm which real reference the seller means by "IW5105" before you study photos, because sellers use IWC reference numbers without precision and dial layouts differ across the line. Note also that buying or importing a counterfeit watch is illegal in the US, so the checks below are written for identification and quality assessment.
Prerequisites
- Genuine spec sheet from IWC for the exact sub-reference
- Digital caliper
- Kitchen scale accurate to 1 g
- 10x loupe
Step-by-step inspection
- Write down the genuine numbers first. Record case diameter, thickness, lug width, water resistance, caliber, and power reserve for the exact reference the seller names. Every later check compares back to this list.
- Measure the case with a caliper at 3 and 9 o'clock. Copies in the IW5105 family usually run 0.5 to 1.5 mm thicker than the original, and thickness is the hardest spec to fake.
- Weigh the watch head. A genuine IWC in this class uses a solid steel or gold case; a plated brass or thin-walled copy sits light for its size.
- Check the movement type through the caseback. If the genuine reference is hand-wound, an automatic rotor inside is an immediate disqualifier, and the reverse applies too.
- Examine the dial under the loupe. Study the print edge, the applied indices, subdial spacing, and the date window cut. Fuzzy edges, uneven lume fill, or indices that sit off-center against the minute track are the usual tells.
- Inspect the caseback engraving. Genuine IWC engraving is crisp and even in depth; copies show shallow, rounded lettering and serial numbers stamped in the same font as the model name.
- Test the crown and winding action. Hand-wound IWC movements wind with light, smooth resistance. A gritty crown paired with a short power reserve points to a low-grade clone movement.
- Ask for service history and original paperwork. A genuine watch at this price carries a warranty card, a serial matching the caseback, and a documented service record. Missing paperwork is a pricing issue, not a small detail.
Common red flags
- Dial text with uneven spacing or a smudged minute track
- Photos that avoid the caseback, the crown, or a straight side profile
- Stock images instead of photos of the actual watch
- Prices far under the market for the genuine reference with no stated reason
What a copy cannot match
Case finishing, the hardness of the crystal coating, and the long-term accuracy of the movement are where replicas fall short. A copy can look correct at arm's length and still lose two minutes a day within a month. Budget for service on any replica, and treat the absence of a service path as a cost, not a feature.