A replica IW328087 is a counterfeit copy of an IWC Pilot's Watch. Production runs in China. Copies sell for $250 to $600. The genuine steel watch sells for about $5,000 to $6,500, based on strap or bracelet. IWC does not authorize the copy. No factory warranty applies.
Published numbers for the reference IW328087 are not identical across secondary sources. Check case size, dial color, and strap code against IWC's own listing before you buy.
Reference basics
The IW3280 block covers the Pilot's Watch Mark XX. IWC lists a 40 mm steel case, 10.8 mm thickness, 20 mm lug width, sapphire crystal with antireflective coating on both sides, and 100 m water resistance for the line. The movement is calibre 32111 with a 120-hour power reserve. The date sits at 3 o'clock. Dial text reads IWC SCHAFFHAUSEN under 12 and AUTOMATIC above 6.
How a copy differs
- Case: 316L or 904L steel. Some copies machine the mid-case thinner at the lugs.
- Crystal: copies show a blue or purple antireflective tint. Genuine coating reads neutral.
- Dial: printed text on copies is thicker. Marker polish is weaker.
- Date wheel: wrong font and wrong magnification are the common fault.
- Case back: engraving depth and font weight. Reference and serial numbers on copies repeat between units.
- Crown: engraved fish logo on Pilot models. Copies show shallow stamping.
Movement types
Three movements appear in copies. The Miyota 9015 runs at 28,800 vph with about 42 hours of reserve. The Seagull ST2130 is a similar design. High-tier copies use a decorated movement with a rotor engraved to look like calibre 32111. None match the 120-hour reserve of the genuine calibre. A timegrapher reading takes two minutes and shows rate and amplitude.
Price tiers
- Low grade, $80 to $150: mineral glass, quartz or low-grade automatic, plated case.
- Mid grade, $200 to $400: sapphire crystal, 316L steel, Miyota or Seagull movement.
- High grade, $450 to $700: 904L steel option, clone movement, better dial printing.
Water resistance and service
Copies are assembled without pressure testing in most cases. A 100 m claim on a listing copies the IWC spec, not a tested result. Gaskets may be dry or missing. Watchmakers who service replicas state that parts do not interchange with IWC components, so a repair may need a donor movement.
Legal position in the US
Importing counterfeit goods violates 19 U.S.C. 1526. CBP can seize the shipment and assess civil penalties. Trafficking in counterfeit goods is a federal crime under 18 U.S.C. 2320, with a first-offense maximum of 10 years and a $2 million fine for an individual. Selling a replica as a genuine watch is a separate fraud charge.
Before you pay
- Ask for a photo of the movement with a handwritten date card.
- Ask for the case back serial number.
- Confirm the return window in writing.
- Check the payment method. Chargeback protection varies.