A fake IW371620 is a counterfeit copy of the IWC Portugieser Chronograph reference IW371620, a 41 mm steel chronograph with a silver-plated dial and gold-plated hands and appliqués. The quickest way to separate a replica from the real watch is the caseback: the genuine reference has a sapphire display back showing IWC's in-house calibre 69355, while most copies hide a decorated third-party movement behind solid steel. Anyone searching for a "fake IW371620" longtail listing should treat the movement and the seller's provenance as the two things worth checking first.
What the genuine IW371620 actually is
Before judging a copy, it helps to know the target. The IW371620 sits in the Portugieser Chronograph line, a family IWC has refreshed several times, so small details vary by production year. The core specification most fakes get wrong:
- Stainless steel case of about 41 mm with a slim, stepped bezel
- Silver-plated dial with two counters, a 30-minute totaliser at 12 and running seconds at 6
- Gold-plated hands and applied numerals and markers
- In-house calibre 69355 with a column wheel and roughly two days of power reserve
- Sapphire crystal front and back, with the movement visible through the caseback
The tells that expose most copies
1. Caseback and movement
This is the hardest detail to fake cheaply. A genuine watch shows a finished in-house movement with signed bridges, correct engraving depth, and a smooth sapphire window. Replicas often use a modified Valjoux-type chronograph module, or they seal the back with steel and laser-etch a fake reference number. If the caseback is closed on a watch sold as an IW371620, stop there.
2. Dial printing and sub-dial spacing
Authentic dial text is crisp, slightly raised, and consistent in weight. Copies tend to show thick or fuzzy print, uneven spacing between the sub-dials, and markers that sit slightly off-centre. Look at the outer minute track under a loupe: genuine printing is sharp at the edges, replica printing bleeds.
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3. Hands and applied markers
Gold plating on a fake is often thinner and warmer in tone than the real thing, and the hands can look flat rather than faceted. Check that the hands line up with the markers at 12 and 6, since misalignment is common on budget copies.
4. Case finish and pusher feel
Genuine case flanks are brushed with polished bevels that catch light in a straight line. Replica brushing often looks coarser, and the chronograph pushers feel mushy or grind when pressed. The crown should wind smoothly with no side play.
5. Strap, buckle, and packaging
Original alligator straps have a soft, irregular scale pattern and a signed deployant or pin buckle with clean engraving. Fake paperwork is usually the giveaway: photocopied certificates, mismatched serials between card and case, and boxes that smell of fresh glue.
Price and provenance checks
Authentic examples trade for several thousand US dollars on the secondary market, and prices move with condition, box, and papers. A listing far below that range is the first warning sign. Ask for a dated invoice, the original warranty card, and clear macro photos of the caseback and movement. Sellers who refuse close-ups of the movement are usually hiding something.
Why "longtail" appears in these searches
The word longtail shows up in fake IW371620 queries because buyers use it to hunt for narrow variants, such as a specific dial colour, strap option, or production batch carried by a particular seller. Treat those longtail phrases as marketing labels, not proof of quality. A listing that leans on keyword strings instead of detailed photos and service history is not giving you information you can verify.
Legal and practical risk
Counterfeit watches infringe trademarks, and selling them is illegal in the United States and most other markets. Customs agencies seize parcels routinely, which means a copy can be confiscated with no refund. Beyond the legal side, fakes are hard to service, parts do not interchange with genuine components, and resale value is close to zero. If the goal is owning the look of a Portugieser Chronograph, a legitimate alternative from a respected brand at a lower price point carries none of that risk.