A fake IW371734 usually gives itself away in four places: case thickness and lug profile, dial print and hand finish, the movement seen through the display back, and the engraving on the caseback. A genuine IWC Portugieser Chronograph in this reference family uses a slim stepped case, a two-register dial with subdials at 12 and 6, long feuille hands, and an IWC chronograph calibre finished to factory standard. Replicas copy the silhouette well, but they rarely match dial alignment, the crown stamp, or movement decoration.
What Is the IW371734?
The IW371734 is a reference number from the IWC Portugieser Chronograph line, a stainless steel chronograph with a two-register layout, a date window at 3 o'clock, and a display caseback. It is one of the most replicated IWC models because the dial design is clean, popular, and cheap for counterfeiters to mass produce.
Because sellers often list the same reference with the wrong dial colour, case metal, or calibre, confirm the spec against IWC's own catalogue first. If a listing's details do not line up with the official reference, stop there.
How Can You Tell a Fake IW371734 From a Real One?
Start with the silhouette, then move inward. Most fakes fail on proportion before they fail on detail.
- Case thickness. Replicas run 0.5 to 1.5 mm thicker because they use generic movements and stock cases.
- Bezel and lugs. Genuine lugs are polished on top and brushed on the sides, with sharp transitions; fakes blur that line.
- Dial print. Brand text on a real dial is razor sharp under a loupe, while fake print looks soft or slightly emboldened.
- Subdial alignment. Subdials must sit exactly on the 12 and 6 axis with even spacing from the centre pinion.
- Crown. The logo on the crown is stamped deep and centred; most fakes show a shallow or off-centre stamp.
- Caseback engraving. Reference and serial numbers on a fake are shallow and often use the wrong font.
Dial, Hands and Date Window
Feuille hands are a fast tell. Genuine IWC feuille hands are thin at the base, taper to a fine point, and carry a high polish on the top facet with a matte flank. Fake hands are thicker, flatter, and less sharp at the tip.
Applied numerals and indices should sit level with the dial and throw a crisp shadow under angled light. On replicas, glue residue, uneven marker height, and dull polishing around the markers are common. The date wheel is another clue, since genuine IWC date fonts are thin and slightly condensed.
Caseback, Reference Number and Serial
Genuine engraving is deep, clean, and consistent in depth across the entire text block. Fakes typically show shallow engraving, rough edges inside the letters, and spacing that drifts.
Compare the reference on the caseback with the reference printed on the paperwork that ships with the watch. If the numbers disagree, the watch is either a fake or a genuine case paired with the wrong dial, and both are a problem.
What Does the Movement Look Like?
A genuine IWC chronograph calibre shows Geneva stripes, blued screws, perlage on the plates, and a rotor engraved with the IWC medallion and calibre number. Fake movements, usually cloned or generic chronograph calibres, use stamped plates, painted screws, and a rotor with a flat engraved logo.
Pusher feel matters as well. Real IWC chronograph pushers have short, firm travel and a clean, instant reset, while fake pushers feel spongy or grind on reset. Ask for a video of the chronograph starting, stopping, and resetting before you buy.
What Do High-Tier Replicas Get Right?
Top factories now build IW371734 replicas with correct case diameters, sapphire crystal with double-sided anti-reflective coating, and dials that photograph almost identically to the original. What they still miss is movement finishing, the depth of caseback engraving, and hand-set quality.
Expect to pay roughly $250 to $700 for a high-tier replica, against $7,000 and up for a genuine example on the secondary market. The price gap buys a serviceable in-house calibre, documented provenance, and factory support.
Pre-Purchase Checklist for a Fake IW371734
- Confirm the reference, dial colour, and case metal against IWC's catalogue.
- Request macro photos of the dial, crown, caseback engraving, and movement.
- Ask for a running video with the chronograph engaged and reset.
- Weigh the watch, since many fakes sit several grams off spec.
- Check that the serial and reference numbers match between caseback and paperwork.
- Buy from a seller who accepts returns and shows dated real photos rather than catalogue renders.
FAQ
How much does a fake IW371734 cost?
Entry-level fakes sell for $80 to $200, mid-tier versions for $200 to $400, and high-tier replicas with cloned movements for $400 to $700. Anything advertised as a genuine IWC at those prices is a fake.
Do replica IW371734 watches use a real IWC movement?
No. Replicas run cloned or generic chronograph movements, sometimes with decorative engraving that mimics IWC finishing. Genuine IWC calibres reach the market through service and resale channels, not through replica factories.
Can a watchmaker tell a fake IW371734?
Yes, usually in minutes. A trained watchmaker checks the movement, the caseback engraving, and the dial print under magnification, and can confirm whether the calibre matches the reference. Arrange an inspection before you pay if the seller allows it.