What is the replica IW371704?
The replica IW371704 is a copy of the IWC Portugieser Chronograph reference IW371704, a 41 mm stainless steel watch with a two-register dial and an alligator strap. Copies sell for about $150 to $600, while the genuine watch trades around $5,000 to $8,000 on the secondary market. A good copy matches the silhouette at arm's length, not the movement, materials, or hand finishing.
The reference sits inside the Portugieser Chronograph family, so almost every replica listing you see borrows the same dial architecture: a 30-minute counter at 12 o'clock, running seconds at 6, applied Arabic numerals, feuille hands, and a railroad minute track.
Key specs of the genuine IW371704
- Case: stainless steel, roughly 41 mm wide and about 13 mm thick
- Dial: two registers, 30-minute counter at 12, small seconds at 6
- Markers: applied Arabic numerals with a printed railroad minute track
- Crystal: sapphire front and a display back
- Strap: alligator leather on a signed steel pin buckle
Dial layout is the single most useful comparison point. Any copy that pulls the registers toward the center, adds a date at 3 o'clock, or drops the minute track is not a faithful IW371704.
What movement sits inside a replica IW371704?
Nearly all replicas run one of three engines: a quartz module, an Asian clone of the Valjoux 7750, or a Seagull ST19 hand-wound chronograph.
Quartz tier
Quartz copies are thin, light, and cheap. The chronograph seconds hand ticks instead of sweeping, and subdial spacing is usually wrong because the module dictates the layout.
Automatic 7750 clone tier
This is the most common build. It gives a sweeping seconds hand and a working chronograph, but the movement spacer adds height, so cases often measure 14.5 mm or more. Expect rotor noise and a date or subdial font that differs from the original.
Hand-wound ST19 tier
The ST19 is a column-wheel design that looks convincing through a display back and feels crisp when you press the pushers. Reset feel and pusher travel still differ from the genuine IWC caliber.
How do you spot a fake IW371704?
- Measure the thickness. Extra height from a movement spacer is the fastest tell.
- Compare subdial positions against the outer track. Genuine registers sit close to the minute ring.
- Study the dial print under a loupe. Fuzzy numeral edges and uneven lume are common on copies.
- Inspect the movement through the case back. Genuine finishing shows Geneva stripes, blued screws, and sharp engraving.
- Weigh the strap and buckle. Real alligator has clear scale texture and a heavier signed buckle.
What should you verify before buying a replica IW371704?
Ask for dated photos and a short video showing the chronograph start, stop, and reset. A timegrapher readout tells you whether the rate and beat error are acceptable before you commit. Confirm the return window and pay with a method that gives you dispute rights.
Sellers who promise serious water resistance on a replica are guessing. Treat any copy as splash resistant at best and keep it away from pools and showers.
How do you pick a trustworthy replica seller?
- Reviews with buyer photos, not just star ratings
- A written return policy of at least seven days
- A stated policy for lost or seized shipments
- Payment options that allow a chargeback
Is buying a replica IW371704 legal in the United States?
Selling counterfeit goods is illegal in the US, and customs officers can seize replica watches at import. Personal-use purchases are rarely prosecuted, but you still carry the risk of losing both the watch and your money. A genuine IW371704 or an honest homage avoids that exposure.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a replica IW371704 cost?
Quartz versions run $150 to $250, automatic 7750 clones land around $300 to $450, and the better hand-wound builds with sapphire and a quality strap reach $600.
Does a replica IW371704 keep good time?
A decent automatic copy holds within about 15 to 30 seconds a day when new. Accuracy drifts as the movement ages, and a service often costs more than the watch.
Can a jeweler tell a replica IW371704 from the real thing?
Yes, and fast. Case thickness, subdial spacing, dial print, and movement finishing are all visible under a loupe within a minute.
Will a replica IW371704 hold its value?
No. Replicas lose most of their resale value, while genuine IWC watches depreciate far more slowly.