The replica IW545105 worth buying is the one that passes four tests: a hand-wound movement with a power reserve indicator that actually moves, a case that matches the reference's proportions instead of a generic shell, dial printing that survives a loupe, and a dealer who sends measurements and macro photos rather than adjectives. Those four tests drive every section below. The reference sits in IWC's Portuguese Hand-Wound family, so pull the official specification for the exact reference number before you compare any copy against it.

Movement and the power reserve indicator

A long hand-wound reserve is the whole point of this reference. On a copy, the reserve display is the weakest part: some dials are printed and never move, others are geared so loosely that the hand jumps overnight.

Pros

  • Reserve hand advances across a full wind and returns as the mainspring unwinds.
  • Seconds hand sweep matches the published beat rate of the genuine calibre, which is audible in a quiet room.
  • Crown winds with even resistance and stops clean at the end of the travel.

Cons and risks

  • Dummy reserve subdials are common and hard to spot in still photos.
  • Finishing under an exhibition back is often shallow engraving over brushed plates.
  • Servicing options are thin, so buy from a dealer who accepts returns.

Best for: buyers who wear the watch and will use the reserve. Ask for a timegrapher reading and a short video of the reserve hand at hour one and hour twenty-four of a full wind.

Case proportions and thickness

Copies go wrong vertically more often than horizontally. A case can measure close on diameter and still sit taller than the original, because the movement and its spacer need more room.

Pros

  • Correct lug-to-lug keeps the watch from overhanging a smaller wrist.
  • Case sides with a soft curve and polished bevel read correct in profile.
  • A crown sized to the case looks right and is easy to grip.

Cons

  • Thick cases push the watch off the wrist and lift the strap line.
  • Sharp lug edges catch light differently from the original.
  • Oversized crowns are a common shortcut on budget builds.

Best for: anyone who wears a watch under a cuff. Request diameter, thickness at the crystal, lug-to-lug, lug width, and crown diameter in writing, then measure the watch yourself on arrival.

Dial printing, numerals, and hands

This is where a copy either reads as a serious watch or as a poster of one. Arabic numerals, a railway minute track, and leaf hands leave no room to hide sloppy work.

Pros

  • Applied numerals sit above the dial and catch light at an angle.
  • Track printing stays thin and even under magnification.
  • Hands are the correct length, reaching the track without crowding it.

Cons

  • Flat printed numerals look pasted on and kill the depth of the dial.
  • Subdial rings that are too thick make the dial look busy.
  • Font weight and logo spacing drift between production runs.

Best for: collectors who photograph their watches. Ask for a straight-on dial shot plus a raking-light shot, since the second one exposes flat printing.

Crystal, coatings, and the case back

A domed sapphire crystal with an inner coating keeps reflections muted. Copies often use flat mineral glass or a heavy blue coating that turns purple in daylight.

Pros

  • Domed sapphire with light anti-reflective treatment keeps the dial readable.
  • A movement visible through an exhibition back rewards a closer look.
  • Correctly engraved case back text holds up under a loupe.

Cons

  • Purple or green reflection is the fastest tell in person.
  • Undersized case back crystals hide the movement and look cheap.
  • Acrylic or mineral glass scratches within months.

Best for: anyone who handles the watch in daylight. Confirm the glass type and coating in writing before you buy.

Strap, buckle, and wear feel

The strap changes how the watch sits more than any other part you can swap. A stiff, plasticky strap makes a decent case feel like a toy.

Pros

  • A tapered leather strap with soft backing settles on the wrist in days.
  • A deployant clasp reduces strap wear and keeps the tail tidy.
  • Correct lug width means standard straps fit without trimming.

Cons

  • Pressed buckles feel light and lose their edge.
  • Synthetic leather cracks where the strap bends at the lugs.
  • Wrong lug width forces you into the seller's own straps.

Best for: daily wear. Treat the strap as a consumable and budget to replace it once.

Checks to run before you pay

  1. Ask for the reference's official specification and compare it line by line with the seller's measurements.
  2. Request a timegrapher photo showing rate and amplitude.
  3. Request a video of the reserve indicator over a full wind.
  4. Request macro photos of the dial, case back, and buckle.
  5. Confirm return window, warranty length, and payment method in writing.
  6. Check the beat rate against the published figure for the genuine calibre.

Use-case picks

For everyday wear, prioritize the case profile and the strap, because those two decide comfort. For collecting and photographing, prioritize the dial, hands, and crystal coating, since those decide how the watch reads in photos. For rotating through several watches, prioritize the movement and reserve indicator, so a watch that has sat for a week still winds correctly. In every case, buy from a dealer who answers technical questions with photos, and remember that replica watches are restricted or illegal to import in many countries, so check the rules where you live before ordering.