Fake IWC Big Pilot IW5105 watches exist for three reasons: the real watch sells for a high price, the dial is simple enough to copy with basic printing equipment, and the reference has a large online audience that searches for it by name. Counterfeiters follow search volume and margin. They do not follow watch history. A fake IW5105 is a business decision, not a tribute.

Fake Big Pilot IW5105 Price: What a Replica IWC Big Pilot Really Costs

What "Fake IW5105" Usually Means

Buyers use the word loosely. Before you judge a listing, sort the watch into one of these groups.

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  • Counterfeit. A complete copy made to pass as genuine, including the logo, the reference number, and the packaging.
  • Franken watch. A genuine case or movement paired with a reprinted dial, a swapped date wheel, or aftermarket hands.
  • Homage. A different brand with a similar pilot layout. Legal, clearly branded, and not pretending to be IWC.
  • Misdescribed listing. A genuine watch with the wrong reference number in the title, often written by a reseller who never checked.

Why This Reference in Particular

  • High price gap. The spread between a genuine example and a copy is large enough to pay for tooling.
  • Simple dial. Few printed elements, a matte background, and large numerals are cheaper to reproduce than a busy chronograph dial.
  • Strong search demand. People search the reference number directly, which makes the model easy to advertise.
  • Parts overlap. Common movements fit a large pilot case, so a workshop does not need to build a movement from scratch.

Prerequisites Before You Judge a Watch

  • Know the exact reference and what IWC publishes about it.
  • Get sharp photos taken in daylight, not studio shots.
  • Compare the asking price to sold prices for the same reference.
  • Ask for the warranty card, booklet, and any service papers.

Step by Step: Check a Big Pilot IW5105

  1. Read the caseback and confirm the reference number and serial are both present and crisp.
  2. Photograph the dial at an angle and compare the brand text and the "SCHAFFHAUSEN" line to IWC's published images.
  3. Inspect the crown engraving with a loupe and check that the edges are sharp, not soft.
  4. Measure the spacing between the subdial and the center hands and compare it to reference photos.
  5. Check the date window font and position against a known genuine example.
  6. Weigh the watch on a kitchen scale and compare the result to the published weight for the reference.
  7. Ask the seller for a photo of the movement through the caseback, or for a watchmaker's inspection report.
  8. Send the serial number to an IWC authorized service center and request a service history check.
  9. Have an independent watchmaker open the case and confirm the movement finish, rotor engraving, and case interior markings.

Red Flags That End the Conversation

  • A price far below the market for a used example.
  • A seller who refuses a movement photo or an inspection.
  • Blurry dial photos, or photos that hide the caseback.
  • Packaging that looks new while the watch shows wear.
  • A serial number that does not match the paperwork.

If the Watch Fails a Step

  1. Stop the payment if it has not cleared.
  2. Put the refusal in writing to the seller and keep the messages.
  3. Report the listing to the platform that hosted it.
  4. File a dispute with your card issuer or payment provider.
  5. Contact U.S. Customs and Border Protection if the watch is arriving from abroad.

Bottom Line

The IW5105 is faked because it is a costly, recognizable watch with a dial that copies well. That is the whole explanation. Your protection is not a better eye for photos. It is paperwork, a serial check with IWC, and an inspection by a watchmaker who has no stake in the sale.

Fake Big Pilot IW5105 vs. Authentic Big Pilot: The Ultimate Buying Guide