Short answer
The synonyms for "fake IW938801" are replica IW938801, copy IW938801, first copy, 1:1 clone, super clone, mirror copy, AAA quality and master copy. Sellers also write "IW 938801" with a space, or drop the prefix and list "938801" alone. No IWC reference number 938801 appears in IWC's published catalog. Listings that use it describe a case or bracelet code, or the number is made up.
Why the number is unclear
IWC reference numbers use the letters IW plus six digits. Examples include IW371401 and IW500705. The digits map to a case, movement and dial combination that IWC records. A search for IW938801 returns no model page from IWC. Treat any listing that pairs the number with a model name as unverified.
Terms sellers use
- Homage: a watch in the same style with no IWC name on the dial. Sold as its own brand.
- Copy or first copy: a replica that carries the IWC name and logo. Lowest price tier. Base metal case, quartz or low grade automatic, printed dial.
- AAA or AAA plus: mid tier. Stainless steel case, mineral glass, Chinese automatic movement.
- 1:1 or mirror copy: case dimensions taken from a genuine sample. Sapphire glass, better dial printing.
- Super clone or Swiss clone: a copy built around a movement that copies an IWC caliber. Highest price tier. Still not made by IWC.
- Fake, counterfeit, knockoff, faux, imitation: the same object under different words. "Fake" and "counterfeit" carry the legal meaning.
Grades in listings
Sellers rank stock by case material, glass type and movement. Quartz sits at the bottom. Chinese automatic movements sit in the middle. Copies of Swiss calibers sit at the top. Watch forums track these tiers by name, so the same watch can appear as a first copy on one site and a super clone on another.
Search behavior
Buyers add words to the number to narrow results: best, high end, Swiss made, 1:1, with box and papers, or by country of shipping. Sellers respond by stacking all of those words into one product title.
Best Fake IW938801: How to Judge a Replica IWC Before You Buy
Legal status in the United States
18 U.S.C. 2320 sets prison terms for trafficking in counterfeit goods. 19 U.S.C. 1526 bars import of goods that bear a copied trademark. Customs can seize and destroy shipments. Buyers face fewer charges than sellers, but the goods are still subject to forfeiture.
What to check before you pay
- Ask which IWC model matches the number. If the seller cannot name one, the number is a placeholder.
- Ask for the movement name and a photo of the caseback engraving.
- Ask for the case diameter in millimeters and compare it with IWC's catalog figure.
- Ask for the return address and the payment method. Card networks block replica sales.
Unknowns
No public IWC document lists IW938801. The origin of the number is not known.