A fake IW322013 is a replica watch sold under an IWC-style reference number, not a watch made, authorized, or serviced by IWC Schaffhausen. The code follows the IW plus six-digit pattern the brand prints on case backs and catalogs, which is why replica listings borrow it to look official. The number itself proves nothing about the movement, case material, or finishing. Those details come from the factory tier, so the reference code is a weak buying signal on its own.
What does first copy mean in the replica market?
First copy is a trade term for the top replica tier, where the case profile, dial printing, crown, and bracelet are copied from a genuine sample. Cheap fakes usually share a generic case, a stamped dial, and a low-grade movement that ticks loudly or sweeps unevenly. A first copy should feel close to the real weight in the hand and sit correctly on the wrist.
What are the replica quality tiers?
- Economy: quartz movement, plated case, printed dial, mineral glass.
- Mid tier: entry automatic movement, thicker case, uneven date alignment.
- First copy or super clone: cloned case geometry, sapphire crystal, decorated automatic or clone movement.
Price tracks the tier far more closely than any reference number does. A listing that quotes a low price for a so-called super clone is usually a mid-tier watch with better photos.
How do you check an IW322013 listing before paying?
- Ask for the movement name and a photo of the rotor, not a stock image.
- Request real photos of the date font, crystal edge, and bracelet clasp.
- Compare case thickness and lug width against the genuine specification.
- Confirm the seller shows the actual watch they will ship, with a timestamp.
- Check whether the seller states clearly that the item is a replica.
Sellers who avoid close-up photos, refuse timestamped images, or claim the watch is genuine are the ones to skip. Clear disclosure and detailed photos matter more than a familiar-looking code.
Is IW322013 a real IWC reference?
IWC uses IW-prefixed reference numbers across its collections, so the format is credible, but replica sellers also invent, reuse, or misquote codes. Verify any reference against the brand's own catalog or an authorized dealer before treating it as real. If the code does not appear in IWC's own listings, assume it was chosen by the seller.
How much should a first copy watch cost?
Quality tiers carry very different costs, and a genuine reference sells for many multiples of any replica. A first copy price that looks too low for the tier usually signals a downgraded movement or plated case. Compare several sellers at the same tier to judge whether a quote is realistic.
Is buying a fake watch legal?
Counterfeit goods are prohibited from import into the United States and can be seized by customs authorities. Trademark law protects brand names and logos, and selling a replica as genuine is both infringement and fraud. A watch openly sold and labeled as a replica is a separate situation from one passed off as authentic.
FAQ
Does a matching reference number mean the watch is genuine?
No. Reference numbers are printed, stamped, or copied freely, so they cannot authenticate a watch. Only a brand service record or authorized inspection can do that.
What is the single best check on a first copy?
The movement. Ask for a clear photo of the movement through the case back or an open case back view, then compare it to the tier the seller claims.