A fake IW371768 is a replica of the IWC Portugieser Chronograph, a 41 mm steel watch with a vertical bi-compax dial. Because a good replica copies the silhouette almost exactly, the real differences show up in case finishing, dial printing, subdial geometry, movement construction and caseback engraving. Judging those four areas tells you which tier of copy you are looking at.
What is the IW371768 reference?
The reference belongs to the Portugieser Chronograph line, the 41 mm generation that replaced the older 40.9 mm 3714 series. A genuine example uses a stainless steel case, a convex sapphire crystal, a vertical layout with running seconds at 6 o'clock and a 30 minute counter at 12, and IWC's in-house calibre 69355. Production dials are lacquered and printed with a raised, sharply defined track.
How do you tell a fake IW371768 from a genuine one?
The fastest tell is magnification. A loupe on the dial printing, the hands and the caseback lettering exposes almost every replica within seconds.
Dial and printing
- Genuine printing sits flat and crisp, with no bleeding at the rail track or the numerals.
- Replica subdials often sit slightly too far apart or too close to the centre, which throws off the spacing between the 6 and 12 counters.
- Applied numerals on copies tend to be thicker and less polished at the edges.
- Hands on fakes are usually flat stamped steel, while the original has faceted, hand-finished leaf hands.
Case and finishing
Genuine Portugieser cases carry a mix of brushed flanks and polished bevels that catch light in a straight, even line. Replicas usually show softer bevels, uneven brushing near the lugs, and a crown that sits a fraction too proud of the case band. Weight is a rough guide only, since tungsten-weighted copies can match the heft of steel.
Movement
Most IW371768 replicas run a modified Asian 7750 derivative, which is thicker than calibre 69355 and often visible through a caseback that sits too high. Some budget copies use a quartz module that ticks rather than sweeps. A genuine 69355 has column wheel actuation, a smooth pusher feel, and finishing that includes Geneva stripes and perlage in the right places.
Caseback, crown and paperwork
Engraved reference numbers on copies are frequently shallow or use the wrong font weight. Genuine IWC casebacks are deep-struck with clean edges, and the crown engraving is centred and legible under magnification. Boxes, warranty cards and manuals are widely reproduced, so paperwork alone proves nothing.
How much does a fake IW371768 cost?
Entry replicas sell for roughly 150 to 300 US dollars and usually reveal themselves through flat printing and a quartz or basic automatic movement. Mid-tier copies run 300 to 600 dollars with a decorated 7750 derivative. The most convincing examples reach 700 to 1,000 dollars and are the only tier where case finishing and dial spacing come close to the original.
Is buying a fake IW371768 legal?
Selling counterfeit goods is illegal in the United States under trademark law, and importing them can lead to seizure at customs. Buyers should understand that a replica is not a collectible, holds little resale value, and cannot be serviced by IWC. Reputable first copy sellers describe their stock as replicas rather than claiming genuine origin.
What should you check before buying?
- Ask for macro photographs of the dial printing, the crown and the caseback engraving.
- Confirm which movement is fitted and whether the pushers are column wheel or cam actuated.
- Check the stated case diameter and thickness against the genuine 41 mm figure.
- Request a video of the chronograph starting, stopping and resetting to zero.
- Verify the seller's return policy and whether they disclose the item as a replica.