A fake IW371759 is a counterfeit copy of the IWC Portugieser chronograph reference, built to look like the original at a fraction of the price. A genuine example leaves Schaffhausen with an in-house chronograph movement, hand-finished case parts, and sharp dial printing. Most replicas get one of those right and miss the others. When you are checking a watch against a listing that looks too cheap, judge the movement, the caseback engraving, and the paperwork together instead of trusting any single detail on its own.
What the IW371759 Actually Is
The IW371759 sits in the Portugieser line, IWC's dressy chronograph family with a round case, slim bezel, feuille hands, and applied Arabic numerals. Reference numbers in this series shift with dial color, case metal, strap, and production year, so the same basic watch can appear under several numbers. Because of that, the useful move is to pull the exact reference specs from IWC and compare them point by point: case diameter, thickness, lug width, water resistance, crystal type, and caliber. A seller who cannot name the caliber is a seller worth walking away from.
Why This Reference Gets Copied
- The dial is clean, so a decent printer can make it look convincing in photos.
- A steel case and a leather strap keep tooling costs low for counterfeiters.
- It reads as expensive without being as famous as a Submariner, so buyers do less homework.
- Online marketplaces, social sellers, and classified apps make distribution easy.
Sellers often dress these up with terms like "1:1 super clone" or "Swiss made replica." Those are marketing phrases, not grades. No counterfeit carries a genuine Swiss movement made by the brand, and none comes with a valid factory warranty.
Seven Checks That Separate Real From Fake
- Movement caliber and finish
- Caseback engraving depth and font
- Dial printing and subdial layout
- Hand shape and applied marker edges
- Crown and pusher feel
- Case weight and brushed versus polished transitions
- Box, papers, and service history
Movement: The Clearest Tell
Genuine Portugieser chronographs run on IWC calibers with branded rotor engraving, circular graining, and consistent jewel settings. Counterfeits typically hide a third-party chronograph movement behind a decorated plate. Ask for a clear photo of the movement and a timegrapher reading showing rate and amplitude. Refusal to open the caseback ends the conversation.
Dial, Hands, and Printing
Under a loupe, genuine text has even stroke weight and clean edges, and the subdials are cut with a crisp step. On fakes you will often see fuzzy lettering, uneven lume fill, misaligned subdial hands that never reset to zero, and a date window sitting off center.
Case, Crown, and Caseback
Run a fingernail along the case flanks. Real ones transition cleanly between brushed and polished surfaces. Reference and serial numbers should be engraved with visible depth and uniform spacing, not laser-etched shallow or stamped with the wrong font. Screw down the crown and feel for drag; cheap threads bind early.
Box, Papers, and Provenance
A box proves nothing by itself. Match the serial on the caseback to the warranty card and the original invoice, then confirm the seller's identity and return policy in writing. Ask for a dated photo of the watch next to the papers so you can see both serials in one frame.
Price Reality Check
If a Portugieser chronograph is offered at a small fraction of retail, it is not a bargain. Legitimate pre-owned pricing sits in a range you can verify against dealer listings in a few minutes. Anything far below that range is a counterfeit, a stolen watch, or a scam listing with photos lifted from someone else's ad.
What to Do If You Already Bought a Fake IW371759
Stop wearing it and keep every message, listing screenshot, and receipt. Open a dispute through your payment method, report the seller to the platform, and file a complaint with the relevant consumer protection agency. Trafficking in counterfeit goods is illegal in the United States, and customs can seize shipments, so never resell it as genuine.
Quick Checklist Before You Buy
- Confirm the reference number against the manufacturer's own specifications
- Insist on movement photos and a timegrapher reading
- Verify serial numbers on case and paperwork match
- Pay with a method that offers buyer protection
- Compare price against several established dealers
Do those five things and a fake IW371759 has almost nowhere to hide.