A fake IW938105 is a watch sold as an IWC piece with a reference number that does not appear in IWC Schaffhausen's catalog. The term covers two kinds of buyers: someone checking whether a watch they own or plan to buy is real, and someone hunting for a replica of that reference. Both groups need the same checks.
Is IW938105 a real IWC reference?
IWC reference numbers start with the letters IW, then a numeric block tied to a watch family and production run. If a search of IWC's own site, authorized dealer stock, and auction archives turns up nothing for IW938105, the number is either misread, invented, or borrowed from another model.
Ask the seller to photograph the full caseback in daylight. The reference and the serial sit as two separate stamps on most IWC watches, and a listing that shows one but not the other is hiding something.
Which parts of an IW938105 give a fake away?
Counterfeit watches fail on details that real production handles by machine. Compare each item below against photos of the genuine model from IWC or a trusted auction house.
- Caseback engraving. Letters sit shallow, spacing drifts, and edges look sanded rather than cut.
- Dial print. "Schaffhausen" and "Automatic" crowd each other, or the minute track stops short of the chapter ring.
- Date window. The cut is rough, the numerals sit off-center, and the font differs from the rest of the dial.
- Hands. Polished sides carry scratches, and lume sits uneven or spills past the frame.
- Crystal. Weak anti-reflective coating, so the dial glares and reflections look blue or purple.
- Crown. The logo is stamped off-center, or the thread catches when you wind it.
Movement and serial number checks
A display back makes the job simple. Look for a signed rotor, clean Geneva stripes, blued screws, and a jewel count that matches the caliber IWC used for that family.
Serial numbers prove nothing on their own. Replica makers copy real serials from photos posted online, so a serial that matches a forum thread is a warning, not a comfort. Only IWC or an authorized service partner can confirm a serial against its build records.
Weight, sound, and feel
Hold the watch and listen. A cheap automatic rotor rattles or spins with a tinny ring, while a well-finished movement sounds tight. Weight gaps between real and fake can be small, so a scale reading of a few grams tells you little without the factory spec for that reference.
Bracelet and clasp quality show up in daily use. Check for sharp edges on the clasp, loose end links, and screws that strip when you resize the bracelet.
Red flags in the listing or seller
- Price far under the market for that IWC family, with a story about a divorce, an estate, or a quick sale.
- Stock photos only, with no images of the actual caseback or serial.
- Pressure to pay by bank transfer, gift card, or a chat app with no buyer protection.
- Box and papers where the card numbers do not match the watch.
- A seller who refuses an in-person meeting at a watchmaker or boutique.
Where do fake IW938105 watches show up?
Most surface on classified apps, social media groups, and marketplaces with weak seller checks. Titles use words such as "super clone," "1:1," or "Swiss made" next to the reference to pull traffic. A seller who brags about the grade of a fake has told you it is not an IWC.
Swap meets, pawn shops, and vacation markets carry the same stock at lower prices. Those sellers offer no return path, so treat any purchase as final.
How do you verify an IW938105 before buying?
- Request dated photos of the caseback, movement, crown, clasp, and both sides of the warranty card.
- Search the reference on IWC's site and on auction archives. No match means walk away.
- Send the serial and photos to IWC's Concierge or a boutique and ask them to confirm the build.
- Book a bench inspection with an independent watchmaker for anything above a few hundred dollars.
- Pay through a method with buyer protection, and keep every message.
What if you already bought a fake IW938105?
Collect the listing, screenshots of the chat, the payment receipt, and clear photos of the watch. File a dispute with the platform and your card issuer, since both have windows that close fast.
Report the seller to IWC's brand protection team and to your national consumer or customs agency. If you bought a replica on purpose, expect no IWC service, no warranty, and almost no resale value.
Frequently asked questions
Does a matching serial number prove an IW938105 is real?
No. Counterfeiters copy serials from public photos, so a match to an online listing means nothing. Only IWC and its service partners hold the build records.
Can a watchmaker authenticate an IW938105?
Yes, for most models. A bench watchmaker can open the case, inspect the movement, and judge the finishing. They cannot reach IWC's serial database, so pair their report with a brand check.
How large is the counterfeit watch problem?
Watches are one slice of a global trade in counterfeit goods that the OECD puts in the hundreds of billions of dollars across all product categories. Brand-level figures for IWC alone are not public.