A fake IW371424 is a replica of the IWC Portugieser Chronograph ref. IW371424, a 40.9 mm stainless steel chronograph with a 30 minute counter at 12 o'clock, running seconds at 6 o'clock, and IWC calibre 79350 inside. Replica versions run from basic quartz lookalikes to 1:1 builds that copy the case profile, dial layout, and an Asian 7750 chronograph movement. Because the 3714 family has largely left the current catalog, a sealed new example is unusual, and most listings on the market are replicas, frankens, or mislabeled references.
What is the IW371424?
The IW371424 belongs to the IWC Portugieser Chronograph line, the 3714 reference family. The genuine watch uses a 40.9 mm stainless steel case at roughly 12.3 mm thick, sapphire crystal, feuille hands, applied numerals, and an alligator strap with a steel pin buckle.
Inside sits calibre 79350, a 28,800 vph automatic chronograph derived from the Valjoux 7750 with a 44 hour power reserve. That base architecture matters: a 7750 style movement already places the chronograph minutes at 12 and small seconds at 6, which is why replicas can match the subdial layout.
How do you spot a fake IW371424?
Most tells show up on the dial, the case profile, and the strap, not on the movement. Work through the list below against clear, well lit photos of a confirmed genuine example of the same reference.
- Subdial placement: the chronograph minutes sit at 12 and the small seconds at 6, stacked on a vertical line. Cheap copies move them to 3 and 9 or wire them as decorative 24 hour dials.
- No date aperture: the classic 3714 dial carries no date window, so a cutout at 3 o'clock signals a different dial or a non genuine build.
- Subdial finish: genuine subdials have a fine concentric snailing and crisp printed scales. Replicas often show flat or smudged texture and thick, uneven numerals.
- Dial printing: the IWC Schaffhausen script, AUTOMATIC text, and the minute track should be razor sharp and thin. Blurred edges, bold fonts, or grey ink are common replica flaws.
- Hands: feuille hands are polished, slightly domed, and taper to a fine point. Replica hands are frequently flat, too wide, or painted instead of polished.
- Crystal coating: a genuine double sided anti reflective coating gives a faint blue tint and near zero glare. Copies usually have single sided coating and a milky reflection at angles.
- Case thickness: measure it. Replicas often run 13 mm and up, adding a visible slab of metal under the bezel.
- Caseback: most 3714 examples use a closed steel back with deep engraving, so a display back is a warning sign.
- Crown and pushers: genuine chronograph pushers have a firm, short travel and a clean reset. Loose, gritty, or wobbly pushers point to a low grade movement.
- Strap and buckle: check leather grain, lining, stitching density, and the crispness of the engraving on the buckle.
What movement do replica IW371424 watches use?
Replicas split into three tiers, and the movement is the clearest divider. Quartz versions are thin, quiet, and usually have non working or fake subdials. Mid tier copies use an Asian 7750 automatic with a working chronograph, and the top tier pairs the same movement with decorated bridges and a rotor engraved to mimic calibre 79350.
An Asian 7750 beats at 28,800 vph like the genuine calibre, which is why the subdial layout looks right. The differences show up in finishing, rotor noise, regulation, and long term reliability rather than in the dial layout itself.
How much do replica IW371424 watches cost?
- Under $150: quartz or basic automatic, usually with visible dial and case flaws.
- $200 to $400: Asian 7750 automatic, working chronograph, reasonable dial print, weaker AR coating and strap.
- $500 to $900: the so called 1:1 tier with better dial art, snailed subdials, closer case finishing, and a decorated rotor.
Price tracks cosmetic accuracy more than reliability. A higher tier usually buys a better dial and case, not a better movement.
Which details are hardest to replicate?
Dial printing crispness, feuille hand profile, and subdial snailing are the three areas where replicas fall short most often. Crown and pusher feel, strap leather quality, and the depth of caseback engraving follow close behind.
Is buying a fake IW371424 legal in the United States?
Selling or trafficking counterfeit goods is illegal under federal trademark counterfeiting law, and shipments can be seized by Customs and Border Protection. Personal purchases are rarely prosecuted, but the goods remain subject to seizure and forfeiture, and no warranty or service support exists on the replica side.
Quick checklist before you buy
- Compare against photos of a confirmed genuine watch of the exact same reference.
- Request a close up video of the chronograph starting, stopping, and snapping back to zero.
- Verify subdial positions and hand lengths at 12 and 6.
- Ask for a caliper photo of case thickness and compare it to roughly 12.3 mm.
- Confirm strap, buckle, and caseback photos in natural light, not studio lighting only.
- Check the return window and the payment method before sending money.
Does a fake IW371424 have a working chronograph?
On the Asian 7750 tiers, yes. The start, stop, and reset functions operate normally, though reset accuracy and pusher feel vary widely between builds.
Can I tell a $400 replica from an $800 replica?
Yes, and the gap appears in the dial printing, subdial texture, anti reflective coating, strap leather, and caseback engraving depth. Movement decoration is the last thing to improve, since both tiers usually share the same base calibre.
Why is the IW371424 so widely copied?
The two subdial Portugieser layout is simple to reproduce with a 7750 base, the stainless steel case is straightforward to machine, and the model's popularity keeps demand high across every price tier.