A fake IW371490 is a counterfeit copy of the IWC Portugieser Chronograph, a 40.9 mm two-register chronograph that runs IWC caliber 79350, a modified Valjoux 7750. Genuine examples have crisp dial printing, a small-seconds subdial at 6 o'clock and a 30-minute chronograph counter at 12, a signed crown, and a decorated movement visible through the case back. Replicas most often fail on dial typography, subdial spacing, hand polish, case thickness, and case-back engraving.
What is the IW371490?
The IW371490 belongs to the IW3714 family, the Portugieser Chronograph that IWC produced for roughly two decades before the 41 mm Portugieser Chronograph replaced it.
The watch uses a 40.9 mm case, a sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating on both faces, and a movement that beats at 28,800 vibrations per hour with about 44 hours of power reserve. Water resistance is rated at 3 bar, so it is a dress chronograph rather than a sports watch.
Because the reference stayed in the catalog for years and appeared with several dial and metal combinations, buyers often see the same reference number attached to watches that look quite different.
How do you spot a fake IW371490?
Dial and hands
- Printing: genuine dials use sharp, evenly spaced type. Fakes show thick or blurry text, and the AUTOMATIC line sits too close to the subdial.
- Subdial spacing: the 12 and 6 registers sit near the center and mirror each other. Replicas push them outward or shrink one register.
- Numerals and hands: applied Arabic numerals and feuille hands are polished on every face, including the sides. Cheap copies leave matte or roughly filed edges.
- Glare: double-sided anti-reflective sapphire shows a faint blue or purple tint. Heavy purple glare or a plastic-looking crystal is a warning sign.
Case, crown, and dimensions
Measure the case. Genuine IW3714 watches are 40.9 mm across and about 12.3 mm thick, while many replicas run 42 mm or sit taller on the wrist.
Check the crown, which carries the Probus Scafusia emblem, and study the transition between polished and brushed surfaces. Genuine finishing has crisp, straight lines, while copies show rounded edges and uneven brushing.
Movement and case back
The caliber 79350 is a Valjoux 7750 base with Geneva stripes, circular graining, and blued screws. A display back lets you compare rotor engraving, jewel count, and screw finish against reference photos before you buy.
Case-back engraving should be deep and clean, with the correct reference and serial numbers and the Probus Scafusia motto. Laser-etched text with a shallow, gray look is one of the most common replica tells.
Start the chronograph and watch the sweep. A quartz fake ticks once per second, and a poorly finished automatic copy often has a jumpy pusher feel and a reset that lands off zero.
Why do replica IW371490 watches vary so much?
Counterfeit watches are sold in tiers, and sellers use labels such as first copy, AAA, or Swiss made to imply quality that the watch rarely delivers. Two copies of the same reference can come from different factories with different dial, movement, and case suppliers.
No replica carries an IWC warranty, factory service, or parts support, and a broken copy is usually unrepairable at a reasonable cost.
What should you check before buying a used IW371490?
- Ask for clear macro photos of the dial, crown, case back, and movement, plus a photo of the watch on a scale.
- Compare the asking price with current secondary-market listings. Steel examples commonly list in the mid four figures, and a deep discount is the strongest single warning sign.
- Confirm the box, papers, and service history, then have the watch authenticated by an independent watchmaker or IWC before the return window closes.
Is buying or owning a fake IW371490 legal?
In the United States and most of the European Union, selling counterfeit goods is illegal, and customs authorities can seize shipments of fake watches. Buying a counterfeit for personal use carries fewer penalties in some places, but the item can still be confiscated and it has no resale value.
The practical risk is simple: a fake IW371490 can cost hundreds of dollars and deliver neither the accuracy, the finish, nor the serviceability of the real watch.