The replica IW371620 is a counterfeit copy of the IWC Portugieser Chronograph 41, a 41 mm stainless steel column-wheel chronograph that retails near $7,000 to $8,500. Most copies ship from Guangzhou workshops at $250 to $500, or roughly 5 percent of the genuine price. They look convincing at arm's length but run Asian chronograph movements instead of IWC's in-house calibre 69355, and they are illegal to import into the United States.
What is the genuine IW371620?
The reference sits inside the Portugieser Chronograph 41 family, introduced in 2019 with an in-house movement. It measures 41 mm across, about 13 mm thick, with a 20 mm lug width and 30 m water resistance. IWC fits calibre 69355, a column-wheel chronograph with a 46-hour power reserve and a 4 Hz beat rate.
The dial uses two subdials, a 30-minute counter at 12 and small seconds at 6, with a date window at 3. Sapphire crystal covers the front, and a sapphire caseback shows the decorated movement. The strap is alligator leather on a steel pin buckle.
What movement sits inside a replica IW371620?
Almost every copy uses an Asian 7750 derivative or a Chinese chronograph module, not a true column-wheel design. The result is a thicker case, a stiffer pusher feel, and a second hand that stutters rather than sweeping. Power reserve typically lands between 36 and 42 hours, and accuracy drifts well past chronometer range.
How accurate is the replica IW371620?
IWC is copied less often than Rolex, so the ceiling on quality is lower. Mid-tier factories get the proportions close but miss dial printing sharpness, date font, and caseback engraving depth. The best examples are recognizable as fakes the moment a loupe or a side-by-side photo enters the picture.
How to spot a replica IW371620
- Case thickness: copies run 1 to 2 mm thicker because the 7750 base needs more room.
- Pusher feel: genuine column-wheel pushers are light and crisp; copies feel gritty and have slack.
- Subdial printing: replica numerals and rings look soft or uneven under magnification.
- Date window: the frame edge is often rough, and the font is wider than IWC's.
- Caseback: engraving is shallow, and rotor decoration uses flat stripes rather than proper Geneva stripes.
- Strap: embossed cowhide replaces alligator, and stitching runs uneven.
- Water resistance: copies usually have none despite the dial text; never swim in one.
How much does a replica IW371620 cost?
Entry copies sell for $150 to $250 with rough finishing and a loud rotor. Mid-tier versions run $280 to $450 and are the most common listing online. Anything above $500 is usually the same watch with a markup, since no factory has produced a true super clone of this reference.
Are replica IW371620 watches legal?
No. In the United States, importing a counterfeit watch violates trademark law under 19 U.S.C. 1526, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection can seize the shipment without compensation. Selling counterfeits carries civil damages and, in repeat cases, criminal charges.
Frequently asked questions
Is the replica IW371620 a super clone?
No. The Portugieser Chronograph has never received the super clone treatment that certain Rolex and Audemars Piguet references get. Buyers should expect visible flaws.
Does the replica IW371620 have a working chronograph?
Yes, most do, because the Asian 7750 base is a functional chronograph. Expect sloppy reset behavior and a pusher that can stick after months of use.
Where are replica IW371620 watches made?
Production concentrates in Guangzhou and Shenzhen, China, where parts are assembled in small workshops. Quality varies by batch rather than by brand name.
Can a jeweler tell the difference?
Any watchmaker who opens the caseback will know within seconds. The movement architecture, finishing, and engraving do not match IWC standards.