A cloned Portofino Small Seconds 39 is a replica of the IWC Portofino Automatic 39, a 39mm steel dress watch with a small seconds subdial at 6 o'clock and a date window at 3. The best clones copy the slim case, the narrow bezel, and the leaf hands. Weak clones get the dial layout right and everything else wrong: thick case, flat printing, sloppy subdial.
copy portofino small seconds 39
The design is simple, and simple designs hide nothing. A crooked marker or a fat bezel shows at arm's length. That is why the Portofino 39 is a hard watch to clone well and an easy one to clone badly.
Which specs should a good clone match?
Compare any clone against these numbers before you pay. Ask the seller for a clear photo of each item on the list.
Duplicate Portofino Small Seconds 39 Buying Guide
- Case diameter: 39mm, measured across the bezel without the crown.
- Case thickness: close to 9mm. Anything over 10mm looks wrong under a shirt cuff.
- Lug width: 20mm, so standard straps fit.
- Dial: small seconds at 6, date at 3, applied baton markers, leaf hands.
- Crystal: flat sapphire with a light anti-reflective coating.
- Caseback: solid or display, depending on the reference you copy.
- Water resistance: treat it as splash-proof. Do not swim in any clone.
How do you judge the case and dial?
Start with the case sides. The original has a thin, polished band and a bezel that sits close to the crystal. A clone with a tall, slab-like side profile looks bulky on a 6.5-inch wrist.
Then check the dial printing. "Automatic" and "Portofino" should sit sharp under a loupe, with no bleed into the white lacquer. Ask for a macro photo. Sellers who refuse macro shots are hiding something.
Look at the markers next. Applied markers should cast a small shadow and sit level with the dial. Printed markers on a $90 clone look flat, and the lume (if there is any) turns green over time.
How does the 39mm case wear?
39mm with a thin bezel wears like a 40mm watch, because the dial takes up most of the case. On a 6.5-inch wrist it reads as a classic dress size. On a 7.5-inch wrist it can look small, so try a 40mm alternative before you commit.
Lug-to-lug matters more than diameter. Ask for that measurement. Anything over 47mm will overhang a small wrist.
Why is the small seconds subdial the hardest part to copy?
A small seconds hand runs off a separate gear train, so the subdial adds parts and cost. Cheap clones drive the subdial with a friction fit or a glued hand. The result is a seconds hand that stutters or stops when the watch is tapped.
Check three things on video:
- The hand should sweep in small, even steps, not jump in chunks.
- The subdial should sit below the main dial level, with a clean circular edge.
- The subdial hand should reach the printed track without touching it.
Ask the seller for a 15-second clip with the watch running and the camera close to the subdial. That clip tells you more than ten still photos.
Which movement should you expect at each price?
Clones of the Portofino 39 come with three broad movement types. Price tracks the movement more than any other part.
- Under $150: Chinese automatic with a small-seconds module. Expect a noisy rotor and a subdial hand that wobbles.
- $200 to $400: better Chinese automatic (Miyota or Seagull base) with a cleaner module and a smoother sweep.
- $500 and up: Swiss base such as a Sellita SW300 with a small-seconds module, or a clone of the IWC calibre.
A Swiss-base clone costs more because the movement alone runs several hundred dollars. If a seller offers "Swiss movement" for $120, the claim is false.
What are the red flags when buying a cloned Portofino 39?
Most bad buys come from skipped checks, not bad luck. Watch for these signs:
- Stock photos only, with no photo of the actual watch.
- No return window, or a "no returns on replicas" clause.
- "1:1" or "mirror quality" with no macro shots to back it up.
- Prices far below the movement tier.
- Pushy chat-only sellers who refuse video.
A seller with a real watch will send a timestamped photo, a macro of the dial, and a video of the seconds hand. Ask once. The answer tells you what you need to know.
Is a cloned Portofino Small Seconds 39 worth it?
It depends on what you want from the watch. If you want a slim, quiet dress watch for a suit and you accept the risks of replica ownership, a mid-tier clone at $200 to $400 gives the best balance of looks and reliability. Buy the top tier only if you plan to keep it and service it.
Can a jeweler tell a clone from the original?
Yes, a jeweler who handles IWC watches can tell in seconds. The tells are the caseback engraving depth, the crown logo, and the subdial finish. A clone passes at dinner. It fails on a bench with a loupe.
Does a clone take a genuine IWC strap?
Most 39mm clones use 20mm lugs, so a 20mm strap fits. The spring bar holes may sit at a different height, so a thick curved-end strap can leave a gap. Measure before you spend money on a strap.