Short Answer
There is no IWC reference written as IW93806. IWC publishes its references as "IW" plus six digits, and the number is engraved on the caseback in the same form. IW93806 carries only five digits after the letters, so it does not match the pattern the brand uses. A listing with that number is either a typo, a seller's internal stock code, or a replica sold under an invented reference. Treat it as unverified until you confirm the caseback and the movement yourself.
Before You Start
- A 10x jeweler's loupe or a phone macro lens
- Digital calipers for case and lug measurements
- Daylight or a 5000K desk lamp
- High-resolution photos of the front, back, crown, and clasp from the seller
- The brand's own catalog page for the model family you are comparing against
How to Verify an IW93806 Listing
- Write the reference down exactly as the seller types it, including every digit and letter.
- Count the digits after "IW" and compare them to the six-digit standard.
- Search the number on the brand's official site and on a large watch marketplace.
- Ask the seller for a straight-on photo of the caseback in sharp focus.
- Read the engraving out loud from the photo and compare it to the number in the listing.
- Check the engraving depth, font weight, and spacing against a confirmed genuine caseback from the same family.
- Measure the case diameter with calipers and compare it to the spec sheet.
- Ask which caliber sits inside and request a photo of the rotor or balance wheel.
- Request a 30-second video showing the seconds hand sweep and a date change.
- Compare the asking price to current market prices for the genuine model and for known first copies.
- Get the return window, the refund method, and the return address in writing before paying.
Red Flags on the Caseback
- Five digits after IW instead of six
- Reference number that does not match the dial layout or case size
- Shallow laser etching instead of crisp stamping or engraving
- Misspelled country of origin or a missing serial
- Serial number that appears on multiple listings from different sellers
Dial and Case Checks
On most IWC models the subdial spacing, date window position, and hand lengths are tied to the movement, so an off-pattern reference usually shows an off-pattern dial. Look at the font weight of the printed name, the sharpness of the indices, and whether the hands reach their intended markers. Then check the crown action and any pushers. On a genuine piece the crown threads engage in one or two turns and the pushers snap back with a clear click.
What a Good First Copy Should Match
A decent first copy matches the case diameter within a tenth of a millimeter, uses a sweeping automatic movement, keeps the same lug width so straps fit, and prints the dial cleanly at macro distance. It should not pretend to carry a reference number that does not exist. If the seller insists on a made-up number, ask why, and ask for the actual model family it copies. That answer tells you more about the seller than any photo does.