A fake IW371446 copies the IWC Portugieser Chronograph, a 40.9 mm stainless steel watch with a blue dial, two subdials and a blue alligator strap. Copies range from cheap quartz models sold at street markets to 1:1 replicas that match the case, dial and caseback engraving. The gaps show up in the movement, the dial printing and the small hardware.
What Is the IWC IW371446?
The IW371446 belongs to the Portugieser Chronograph 3714 family, a line IWC introduced in 1998 and made for more than two decades. This blue-dial version pairs a 40.9 mm steel case with a printed minute track, applied Arabic numerals and leaf hands. Inside sits the IWC calibre 79350, a 28,800 vph automatic with a 44-hour power reserve.
- Case: 40.9 mm stainless steel, about 12.3 mm thick, 30 m water resistance
- Dial: blue with two subdials (running seconds at 6, 30-minute counter at 12) and no date
- Movement: calibre 79350, 27 jewels, Valjoux 7750 base
- Crystal: sapphire front and back, antireflective coating on the front
- Strap: blue alligator leather with a steel buckle
Why the IW371446 Gets Faked
The Portugieser Chronograph is one of IWC's best-known designs, and the blue dial makes it a target. A counterfeit seller can move units because the real watch sells for thousands of dollars, so even a crude copy looks like a bargain to a buyer who has never handled the original.
Three traits make the 3714 easy to clone at a glance and hard to clone in detail:
- A simple, legible dial with few text elements
- A widely available Valjoux 7750 movement, which sits in many Asian copies
- A standard steel case that any competent CNC shop can measure and copy
How Do You Spot a Fake IW371446?
Check the date window first
The 3714 has no date. Any IW371446 with a date window at 3 o'clock is a fake. Many cheap chronographs use a 7750 clone with a date wheel, and sellers leave that wheel in place.
Look at the subdial layout
Real 3714 dials place the running seconds at 6 and the 30-minute counter at 12, both recessed and finished with a snailed texture. Quartz fakes often put a 24-hour or 12-hour hand in the bottom subdial because the module cannot drive a true running-seconds register.
Study the dial printing and numerals
Genuine numerals are applied, polished on the edges and set into the dial. The text "IWC" and "Schaffhausen" is crisp, with even spacing and no ink bleed. On copies the numerals are glued on, off-center, or printed flat.
Inspect the movement through the display back
The calibre 79350 shows Geneva stripes, blued screws and a rotor engraved with the IWC logo and "Probus Scafusia". A fake may show a plain rotor, mismatched finishing, or an unmarked 7750 under a stamped cover.
Weigh the case and test the pushers
A steel 3714 feels dense, and the chronograph pushers click with firm, short travel. Fakes save weight with thinner cases, and their pushers feel mushy or have a long throw.
Replica Tiers for the IW371446
Not every fake is the same. Sellers split them into rough groups, and the price tracks the group.
- Quartz copies: wrong subdial functions, plated case, mineral glass, flat printed dial. Tens of dollars.
- Mid-tier automatic: Asian 7750, correct 40.9 mm case, sapphire glass, clean dial print. Weak movement decoration.
- High-tier "1:1": clone or decorated 7750, correct engraving, matched dial color and hand shape, leather strap.
A "1:1" label means the seller claims the copy matches the original in size and finish. It does not mean the watch is identical, and it does not mean IWC will service it.
What Even the Best Copies Get Wrong
Every tier misses the same short list of details once you look close.
- Movement finishing: stamped plates instead of striped and polished bridges
- Dial color shift: copies read purple or gray under daylight
- Hand polish: real leaf hands have sharp, mirror edges
- Strap leather: most copies use embossed cowhide, not alligator
- Caseback engraving depth and font weight
Buying and Ownership Points to Know
Counterfeit watches are illegal to sell in the US and most of the EU, and customs officers seize shipments. A replica IW371446 carries no warranty and no service path through IWC, so a broken movement sends you hunting for a generic watchmaker. Resale value sits near zero.
If you own a genuine 371446 and want to confirm it, ask a watchmaker to open the caseback. The movement number, the engraving quality and the balance wheel finish settle the question in minutes.
FAQ
Does the real IW371446 have a date?
No. The Portugieser Chronograph 3714 has no date window on any version.
What movement does the genuine IW371446 use?
The IWC calibre 79350, an automatic chronograph based on the Valjoux 7750, running at 28,800 vph.
How can I tell a fake IW371446 from photos?
Look at the subdials, the numerals and the caseback. Listing photos that hide the movement side or crop the dial edge are a warning sign.
Is a 1:1 replica IW371446 the same as the original?
No. It copies the look from a distance. The movement, materials and finishing differ, and it has no manufacturer support.
Quick Checklist Before You Buy
- Confirm there is no date window.
- Check subdial functions: seconds at 6, chronograph minutes at 12.
- Ask for a clear photo of the movement and rotor engraving.
- Ask for the weight in grams, or weigh the watch yourself.
- Compare the dial color to a known photo of the IW371446 in daylight.
- Read the seller's return policy before paying.