A replica IW371631 is an unauthorized copy of the IWC Portugieser Chronograph reference IW371631, a 41 mm stainless steel automatic chronograph. Replicas usually use a generic Chinese chronograph movement, a thicker case, and printed dial details that do not match the original. In the United States, selling, trafficking, or importing such a watch is illegal, and the copy carries no manufacturer warranty, parts support, or resale value.
What is the IWC Portugieser IW371631?
The IW371631 sits in IWC's Portugieser Chronograph 3716 family, the line built around the in-house calibre 69355. It pairs a 41 mm stainless steel case with a silver-plated dial, two recessed subdials at 12 and 6 o'clock, and a column-wheel chronograph with a vertical clutch. Retail pricing for the range sits in the high four-figure to low five-figure USD bracket depending on dial and strap.
What is a replica IW371631?
A replica is a counterfeit watch that copies the case shape, dial layout, and branding of the genuine reference without authorization from IWC or its parent company. Most copies run a modified or clone Valjoux 7750-type movement rather than the calibre 69355. The result is a watch that looks similar at arm's length but behaves differently in the hand, on a timing machine, and at a service bench.
How can you tell a replica IW371631 from the genuine watch?
- Case thickness: the genuine Portugieser Chronograph is about 13 mm thick, while copies often measure 14 to 15 mm.
- Subdial spacing and typography: replica subdials are frequently spaced incorrectly and use the wrong font weight.
- Movement: the calibre 69355 shows column wheel and vertical clutch architecture under a sapphire caseback, while copies show a cam-actuated lever layout.
- Caseback engraving: reference numbers, hallmarks, and text depth are shallow or misaligned on fakes.
- Weight and finishing: counterfeit bracelets and straps feel light, and polished bevels lack crisp edges.
- Paperwork: serials that do not match the movement, or boxes printed with soft logos, point to a counterfeit.
Is buying or importing a replica IW371631 legal in the United States?
No. Trafficking in counterfeit goods is a federal offense under 18 U.S.C. section 2320, and US Customs and Border Protection can seize counterfeit watches at the border. Penalties can escalate for repeat shipments and for anyone reselling copies, even informally through marketplaces or social media.
Why do replica IWC Portugieser chronographs fall short?
Counterfeit chronographs typically lose time, run the chronograph seconds with visible stutter, and offer little to no water resistance. No IWC service center will repair or authenticate them, so a broken copy becomes scrap. Resale value is effectively zero because no legitimate dealer or auction house will handle it.
What should you do instead?
Buy a genuine Portugieser Chronograph from an authorized dealer, or shop pre-owned examples with full box and papers from a reputable seller. If the reference is out of budget, comparable genuine chronographs from mainstream brands deliver reliable service and hold some value. Authentication from a qualified watchmaker is the safest step before any high-value purchase.