A fake IW371748 is a replica of an IWC Portugieser chronograph sold under that reference number. It copies the look of the original watch, but it is not an IWC product, it does not use IWC's movement or warranty, and it should never be resold or described as genuine. Most people searching this term are comparing replica grades and want a clear picture of what actually differs from the real piece.
What the term usually means
The reference sits in IWC's Portugieser chronograph numbering, a line known for a clean dial, two registers and a restrained case profile. A "fake IW371748" is simply a third-party copy of that model. In the replica market, copies are usually sorted into rough tiers:
- Budget copies: quartz movements, printed subdials, thin plating and mismatched proportions. They look wrong at arm's length.
- Mid-tier copies: Asian automatic movements with a chronograph module, closer dial layout, average case finishing.
- First copy or "super clone" tier: the closest case shape and dial replication, decorated movements, better crystals and straps. Still not an IWC.
Confirm the exact original specification, including dial variants and case dimensions, against IWC's own reference data before you compare photos. Replica sellers often mix details from several Portugieser references.
How a replica differs from the genuine watch
- Movement: the original runs an in-house IWC chronograph calibre. Copies use third-party movements, so pusher feel, subdial sweep and serviceability differ.
- Subdial placement: spacing and depth of the registers are the fastest tell on a chronograph dial.
- Dial printing: crispness of the index and text, lume application, and the finish of the applied numerals.
- Case finishing: brushed and polished transitions on the genuine case are sharper and more consistent.
- Caseback: engraving depth, reference and serial formatting, and the overall fit of the back.
- Crystal and strap: anti-reflective coating quality and leather or bracelet finishing.
- Papers and box: genuine sets include documentation that ties the watch to its reference. Replica packaging copies the look, not the records.
Price expectations
Replica pricing tracks the tier far more than the original retail price. A budget copy costs very little because the parts are cheap. A first copy costs more because the case, dial and movement finishing take more work. Neither is an investment, and neither holds value the way a genuine watch does.
Legal and practical points
Counterfeit watches can be seized at import in the United States, and selling one while presenting it as genuine is fraud. A replica also has no manufacturer service path, and stated water resistance is rarely verified. Treat any water contact as a risk.
Questions to ask before buying a first copy
- Which movement is inside, and does the chronograph work through the pushers?
- What is the exact case diameter and thickness?
- Are the photos of the actual watch being shipped?
- What is the return policy if the dial or caseback differs from the listing?
- Is the watch described as a replica in writing?
Bottom line
A fake IW371748 can look convincing in photos, but it remains a copy with a different movement, different finishing and no official support. Compare reference details against the manufacturer's own data, ask the seller direct questions, and go in knowing exactly what you are buying.