What "IWC 1002" Means
IWC Schaffhausen does not list a reference 1002 in its catalog. IWC reference numbers use four digits, such as 3714 for the Portugieser Chronograph and 3270 for the Pilot's Watch Mark XVIII. The number 1002 comes from seller catalogs on replica marketplaces. It is a stock code, not a factory reference. Two sellers can use 1002 for two different watches. Confirm the model name, case size, and dial layout before you order.
How to Compare First Copy IWC Watches
Five points decide the quality tier of a first copy IWC.
- Case diameter and thickness. Measure against the genuine spec. A 40.9 mm Portugieser copy that measures 43 mm reads as wrong on the wrist.
- Movement. Quartz copies sell at the low end. Automatic copies with a Miyota 9015 or a Seagull ST19 sit above them. The ST19 is a hand-wound chronograph, so a Portugieser copy that uses it has no rotor.
- Crystal. Sapphire with anti-reflective coating on both faces matches the original. Mineral glass scratches.
- Dial print. Check the IWC letterspacing, the subdial spacing, and the date window position.
- Strap and clasp. Alligator-grain leather and a signed pin buckle are standard on the top tier.
Pick First: Portugieser Chronograph First Copy
The Portugieser Chronograph is the model most buyers mean when they search for an IWC 1002 alternative. Genuine specs: ref. 3714, 40.9 mm steel case, 12.3 mm thick, calibre 79350, 44-hour power reserve, two subdials at 12 and 6. A top-tier first copy copies the case profile, the feuille hands, and the recessed subdials. It costs a fraction of the genuine price. Weight is the first tell. A genuine steel case on leather runs near 80 grams. Most copies land between 65 and 75 grams.
Alternatives
Portofino Automatic 3565
40 mm, three hands, no chronograph. The dial is simpler, so flaws show faster. Date at 3. Genuine calibre is the 35111.
Pilot's Watch Mark XVIII 3270
40 mm, black dial, white numerals, triangle at 12. The genuine piece has a soft-iron inner case. Copies skip it. Buy this one if you plan a strap change to a NATO.
Big Pilot's Watch 5010
46.2 mm, conical crown, 7-day power reserve on the genuine calibre 51111. The size is the point. A copy with a 44 mm case misses it.
What a First Copy Does Not Give You
A first copy has no IWC warranty, no service history, and no resale value. IWC service centers do not touch replica movements. Water resistance claims on copies are unverified. Keep the watch away from pools and showers unless a watchmaker pressure-tests it. The OECD puts the global trade in counterfeit goods in the hundreds of billions of dollars. Buy with that in mind.