The most common synonym for a fake IW3717 is "IW3717 replica," followed by "Portugieser chrono rep" and "3717 super clone." Sellers rotate these labels to slip past trademark filters on marketplaces and forums. Each one describes an unauthorized copy of IWC's Portugieser chronograph, not a separate model.
What are the most common synonyms for a fake IW3717?
Listings rarely use the word "fake," so the vocabulary shifts by platform and price tier. These are the terms you will actually see:
Fake IW3717? How to Tell an IWC Portuguese Chrono From a Copy
- IW3717 replica: the plainest version, usually a mid-tier copy.
- Portugieser chrono rep: shorthand that drops the reference number entirely.
- 3717 super clone: a marketing tier claim, not an official grade.
- IW3717 1:1: implies matched dimensions, rarely verified.
- Portugieser clone: nickname style common on forum classifieds.
- 3717 homage: a misuse of "homage," which properly means an unbranded tribute watch.
Why do sellers use so many different names?
Brand owners send takedown notices, so sellers keep the trademark out of titles and move it into photos or private chat. The synonym list changes every few months for that reason alone. A term that works on one marketplace this quarter is often gone by the next.
Reference number families add confusion. Portugieser chronograph listings mix IW3714, IW3716 and IW3717 numbers, and some sellers treat them as interchangeable even when case size and movement differ.
Where do these synonyms appear most?
Forum classifieds, social channels and marketplace ads that use misspellings such as "Portugeiser" to survive keyword filters. In practice those misspellings work as synonyms too.
Is "super clone" a synonym for fake IW3717?
It is a grade label, not a synonym. A super clone claim usually means a copied automatic chronograph movement and closer case finishing. Cheaper versions often hide a quartz movement behind a decorated plate, so the word on the listing tells you very little on its own.
Is a "homage" the same as a fake IW3717?
No. A homage borrows a design language without the brand name or logo, which keeps it outside trademark counterfeiting in most markets. A fake carries the brand name, dial text and reference number, and that is what makes it infringing.
Is buying or selling a fake IW3717 legal in the US?
No. Trafficking in counterfeit goods that carry a registered mark is a federal crime under 18 U.S.C. 2320, with civil exposure under the Lanham Act. Customs can seize shipments, and buyers get no warranty, no service path and no resale value.
What should you check before trusting any of these labels?
- Stock photos reused across many listings, a strong signal of a drop-shipper.
- No serial number photo, or a serial number that repeats across units.
- Prices far below the pre-owned market for a genuine Portugieser chronograph.
- Payment methods with no chargeback route.
A genuine IW3717 keeps value and can be serviced by the maker. A copy sold under any of the synonyms above cannot, and that gap is the practical difference behind all the naming.