A knockoff Portofino Small Seconds 39 is a replica of the IWC Portofino small-seconds dress watch with a case that measures about 39mm across. Most sell for $150 to $400 and use a decorated Asian automatic, sapphire glass, and a leather strap. The gap between a clean copy and a cheap one shows up in the sub-dial at 6 o'clock, the case finish, and the movement inside.
cloned portofino small seconds 39
What should you check on a Portofino Small Seconds 39 replica?
Five details decide whether the watch looks right on the wrist or reads as a fake from arm's length.
Lookalike Portofino Small Seconds 39: A Buyer's Checklist
- Sub-dial position. The small seconds must sit centered on the 6 o'clock axis, not nudged toward 5 or 7. Off-center sub-dials are the most common flaw on this model.
- Case profile. The Portofino is a slim dress case, about 9mm thick, with thin lugs and a polished bezel. Bulky 12mm copies look wrong under a cuff.
- Dial printing. Thin, sharp text, applied baton markers, and a printed minute track with even spacing.
- Hands. Sleek leaf or baton hands with a clean bevel and no mold flash at the tips.
- Movement type. A real small-seconds movement, not a center-seconds unit with a decorative sub-dial cap glued over the pinion.
How much do these replicas cost?
Price tracks the movement more than anything else. Sellers ask more for a 2895-style automatic with a working sub-seconds train, and less for anything with a module or a quartz cell.
counterfeit portofino small seconds 39
- Under $120: quartz or low-grade auto, stamped dial, plated case. Skip these. The sub-dial often ticks or sits off-center.
- $150 to $250: the volume tier. Asian 2895 clone or a Miyota base with a small-seconds module, sapphire glass, decent dial.
- $260 to $400: better case polishing, a signed buckle, and a movement with clean rotor engraving. This is where most buyers land.
Anything above $450 for this reference deserves hard questions about what the extra money buys. Ask for movement photos before you send payment.
copy portofino small seconds 39
Which movement is inside, and why does it matter?
The sub-seconds hand needs a gear train built for it, so the movement choice sets both the hand sweep and the long-term reliability.
2895-style automatic clones
Luxury small-seconds watches often run on an ETA 2895 family movement, a 2892 base with an offset seconds pinion. Asian clones of that design give the correct 21,600 vph sweep and a 42-hour reserve. They cost more and are the right pick if you plan to wear the watch several days a week.
Miyota-based builds
The Miyota 9015 has no small-seconds option, so builders add a module or swap in another caliber. Ask a seller to name the exact movement and show it. A vague answer like "imported automatic" tells you little.
Quartz builds
A quartz Portofino copy keeps time, but the seconds hand jumps once per second. On a small-seconds dial that jump stands out. Skip these unless you want a beater.
Why does the 39mm case size matter?
IWC lists the current Portofino Small Seconds at 40mm, and rep listings tend to round down to 39mm. Measured copies land between 38.5mm and 39.5mm, with a lug-to-lug near 45mm. On a 6.5 to 7.5 inch wrist that reads as a proper dress watch, with strap showing on both sides of the case. Ask for caliper photos if the size is a dealbreaker.
What details give a copy away?
Most tells sit on the back and in the printing, not on the front.
- Fuzzy or shallow caseback engraving, including the reference number and serial.
- Sub-dial printing that blurs under a loupe while the main dial stays sharp.
- Rotor engraving with wrong font weight or a stamp that looks sandblasted.
- Strap stitching that runs to the edge of the leather instead of a clean inset line.
- A crown logo that is etched rather than stamped, and sits proud of the surface.
How do you buy one without getting burned?
Ask for dated QC photos: dial straight-on, caseback, crown side, and a short video of the seconds hand running. Use a payment method with a chargeback path. Skip sellers who take wire only or push you to close a deal in a chat window.
Import rules matter. US Customs can seize counterfeit goods, and a trademark holder can pursue a claim against a seller. Know the risk before you order, and keep the purchase small if you are testing a new seller.
Frequently asked questions
Can you swim with a Portofino Small Seconds replica?
No. Most copies carry a 3 ATM rating at best, and the caseback gasket is the weak point. Take it off before you get in the water.
Will a jeweler know it is a knockoff?
Yes, if they open the case. Movement finish, caseback engraving, and dial printing are the usual tells. From across a table, a good copy passes.
How long does shipping take?
Plan for 7 to 25 days depending on the route. Customs holds add time and are outside the seller's control.
Does a 39mm case fit small wrists?
Yes. A 39mm dress case with a 45mm lug-to-lug fits a wrist down to about 6 inches without overhang. Below that, look at the 37mm Portofino replicas instead.
Pre-purchase checklist
- Confirm the movement by name and ask for a photo of it.
- Get caliper shots of case diameter and thickness.
- Watch a video of the sub-seconds hand sweep.
- Check the caseback engraving in a close-up.
- Pay with a method that offers a dispute window.