A replica IW371620 is a copy of the IWC Portugieser Chronograph reference 371620, a 41 mm stainless steel chronograph with a 30-minute counter at 12 o'clock, small seconds at 6 and a date window at 3. Copies sold online range from cheap quartz pieces to high-grade automatic builds that copy the dial layout, case profile and display back, and the asking price usually tracks how many of those details are done correctly.

What the Genuine IW371620 Is

The original sits in the Portugieser line, IWC's oldest family of watches, and it replaced the older Valjoux-based 3714 generation with an in-house chronograph calibre. The numbers matter because every replica is judged against them.

• Case: stainless steel, roughly 41 mm wide and about 13 mm thick
• Dial: applied numerals and baton hands, chronograph minutes at 12, running seconds at 6, date at 3
• Movement: in-house calibre 69355, automatic, column wheel chronograph, about 46 hours of reserve
• Crystal and back: sapphire front, sapphire display back
• Water resistance: 30 metres, which is splash protection rather than swimming depth
• Strap: alligator leather on a pin buckle in the standard configuration

Why This Reference Is Hard to Copy Well

Two features make the IW371620 a difficult target for replica makers. First, the display back exposes the movement, so a factory has to produce something that at least looks like an in-house column wheel chronograph instead of hiding a generic rotor behind solid steel. Second, the dial is clean and symmetrical, which leaves nowhere to hide. Subdial spacing, the length of the leaf hands, the thickness of the printed track and the shape of the pushers all sit in plain view, and small errors are easy to spot next to a photo of the real watch.

The Three Tiers of Replica IW371620

Quartz novelty tier

These run on a battery quartz chronograph movement. The seconds hand ticks instead of sweeping, the subdials often work as 24-hour or day indicators rather than a true chronograph, and the case is usually thicker than the original. They are sold as inexpensive accessories and rarely survive close inspection.

Mid tier automatic

This group uses an Asian automatic chronograph movement, commonly a 7750-derived design. The pushers feel firmer, the chronograph works properly and the sweep is smooth. The trade-offs show up in case thickness, subdial positions that sit slightly further apart than the genuine dial, and a rotor that does not resemble the IWC calibre.

High grade close copy

The top tier aims at the visual details: correct 41 mm case proportions, a decorated movement plate visible through the back, sapphire with anti-reflective coating on both sides, and a dial with properly applied numerals. These cost several times more than entry pieces and are the version most buyers are actually comparing.

Details to Check Before You Buy

• Subdial positions. The 12 and 6 counters should line up on the vertical axis and sit close to the centre, not pushed toward the edges.
• Hand length. The chronograph hand should reach the minute track, and the leaf hands should not look stubby.
• Date window. Check the position at 3 and whether the font matches the printed numerals.
• Pushers. They should be rounded and flush with the case band, with a firm click rather than a mushy press.
• Crystal. A strong blue or purple reflection usually means no anti-reflective coating.
• Case back. Engraving should be crisp, and the reference number should read correctly.
• Weight and feel. A steel case should feel dense; a light case often means plated alloy.

Movements Explained

Ask the seller directly what powers the watch. A quartz movement is easy to identify and easy to reject. A 7750-based automatic gives you a working chronograph with a smooth sweep and a pusher feel close to the original, though the movement is thicker and the layout inside the back does not match the calibre 69355. Some high-grade builds use a decorated automatic with a cloned bridge shape, which photographs well but still operates on a standard chronograph module. None of these are serviceable at an authorised IWC centre, and local watchmakers may decline to work on them.

Straps, Clasp and Packaging

Most replicas ship on a leather strap with a tang buckle, sometimes with a folding clasp. Strap quality varies more than case quality, so budget for a replacement leather strap if you plan to wear the watch often. Boxes and papers are usually generic and should not be treated as proof of anything. If a seller leans on packaging to justify a high price, that is a warning sign rather than a feature.

Price Expectations and Red Flags

Price tiers roughly follow build quality. What should make you walk away is inconsistency: a listing that claims an in-house clone movement but shows a solid case back, photos lifted from an official product page, a price far below the rest of the market for the same tier, or pressure to pay through an untraceable method. Ask for fresh photos of the actual watch, including the movement, the clasp and the case sides.

Wearability and Sizing

At 41 mm the Portugieser Chronograph wears larger than the number suggests because the dial is mostly open space and the lugs are slim. A wrist under about 6.5 inches may find it broad. Replica cases sometimes run a millimetre wider or thicker than the original, so confirm the measurements rather than assuming they match.

Legal and Ownership Notes

A replica IW371620 copies a trademarked design and carries a brand name it has no right to use. Selling or importing one can create legal exposure in many countries, resale value is close to zero, and there is no manufacturer warranty or service path. Treat the purchase as a disposable accessory, not an investment.

Quick Answers

Is a replica IW371620 the same as the real watch?

No. It copies the look at a distance but uses a different movement, different materials in most cases and no factory support.

Which version is closest to the original?

The high-grade automatic tier with a 41 mm case, correct subdial spacing and a decorated display back is the closest available, though it is still a copy.

Can a replica be serviced?

Independent watchmakers may service common automatic chronograph movements, but parts availability and willingness vary widely.