Quick Answer
Replica Portugieser Automatic 31 is a seller-assigned listing name, not an official IWC reference number. IWC uses calibre-based references for this line, such as IW5007 at 42.3 mm with calibre 52010 and IW3583 at 40.4 mm with calibre 82200. The 31 in these listings usually marks a factory batch, a case-size code, or a movement option. Treat it as a label to verify against real dimensions, not as a specification.
Prerequisites
- Your wrist circumference in millimeters, measured with a soft tape.
- The genuine reference you want to match, either IW5007 or IW3583.
- A budget range and a payment method that offers buyer protection.
- Working knowledge of import rules in your country. Counterfeit goods can be seized at the US border.
Learn the Genuine Layout First
The Portugieser Automatic carries a small seconds subdial at 9 o'clock and a power reserve indicator at 3 o'clock. On the genuine watch the reserve scale reads about seven days on calibre 52010. Any replica listing that shows the subdials in other positions, or drops the reserve indicator, is copying a different model and should be rejected before you discuss price.
How to Evaluate a First Copy Portugieser Automatic
- Ask the seller for the exact case diameter and thickness. Genuine IW5007 measures 42.3 mm across and roughly 14.1 mm thick. A replica that reads 44 mm or 16 mm will sit wrong on the wrist.
- Request the lug width. It should be 22 mm on the 42.3 mm reference, which matters because strap swaps depend on it.
- Ask which movement powers the watch. Common options include a Miyota 8215, a Seagull ST25, or a modified ETA style automatic. A 23-jewel Asian automatic is normal at lower price points.
- Confirm the power reserve figure the seller claims. Fourty hours is typical for a stock automatic. If a listing claims seven days, ask for a movement photo before you accept it.
- Request photos of the dial at an angle. Genuine applied indices sit above the dial surface and catch light along their edges. Flat printed markers are the clearest sign of a low-tier build.
- Check the crystal type. Sapphire with an anti-reflective coating is standard at this tier. Mineral glass scratches within months.
- Inspect the caseback. The genuine watch has a display back showing the movement and rotor. Ask for a photo of that view, not just the front.
- Ask for a timestamped photo and a short video with the seconds hand running. This confirms the seller holds the actual watch.
- Confirm the strap and clasp details before paying. Crocodile-pattern leather with a folding deployant is the usual match.
- Agree on shipping, customs terms, and the return window in writing before money changes hands.
Fit and Wear
A 42.3 mm Portugieser is a large dress watch. Measure your wrist first. Wrists under 17 cm usually look better with the 40.4 mm case. Lug-to-lug length matters more than diameter for how the watch sits, so ask for that figure too. Expect roughly 50 mm on the larger reference.
Legal and Practical Notes
A first copy watch is not a genuine IWC product and it carries no manufacturer warranty or service support. Selling or shipping a counterfeit as genuine is illegal in the United States, and customs officers can seize the shipment. Keep the transaction honest on both sides, avoid sellers who use genuine brand photos in their listings, and never pay through a method with no recourse. If you want brand servicing, parts availability, and resale value, only the genuine watch delivers those things.