The IW371701 is a genuine IWC reference from the 2006 to 2011 Pilot's Watch Chronograph generation, and it left the catalog more than a decade ago. If you want one, buy a complete, verifiable example from a seller who will document service history and allow an independent watchmaker to inspect it before money changes hands. Most traffic for "replica iw371701" leads to counterfeit listings, and those are a weak use of cash: a fake cannot be serviced with factory parts, cannot be resold honestly, and can be seized at the border. A real IW371701 keeps value and stays repairable.
What the IW371701 actually is
This is a 41 mm stainless steel chronograph with a black dial, applied numerals, a day and date window at 3 o'clock, and a closed steel caseback. Inside sits caliber 79320, an IWC-modified Valjoux 7750 with a 44 hour power reserve. The case carries a soft iron inner cage for magnetic protection against magnetic fields, and the watch is rated to 6 bar. Lug width is 21 mm, which matters when you shop for straps. The reference was succeeded by the 3777 series, so parts and dial variants for the 3717 generation are no longer in production.
What to check before you pay
- Caseback engraving. Reference, movement caliber, and case number should be crisp, deep, and correctly spaced.
- Crown and pushers. Screw-down crown should engage smoothly, and the chronograph should start, stop, and reset with a firm snap.
- Dial printing. Look at the day and date font, the subdial spacing, and the alignment of the hands at zero.
- Service records. A 7750-based movement wants service every five to seven years. Ask for receipts or a quote from your own watchmaker.
- Completeness. Box, warranty card, and original strap with the correct buckle add real value and confirm provenance.
Parameters worth knowing
Case diameter 41 mm, case height roughly 14.5 mm, lug width 21 mm, water resistance 6 bar, power reserve about 44 hours, sapphire crystal with antireflective treatment, and a solid caseback. Any seller describing a display back on this reference is describing a different watch or a fake. Weight and feel are reliable tells: a genuine steel case has a dense, cold heft, while counterfeit cases often feel light and hollow.
Pitfalls to avoid
- Listings that show stock photos instead of the actual watch.
- Sellers who refuse a return window or an inspection period.
- Prices that sit far below the market for the condition described, which usually signals a swapped dial or a counterfeit case.
- Any claim of "1:1 Swiss super clone" construction. No counterfeit is manufactured to IWC tolerances, and none uses IWC parts.
- Cross-border purchases of counterfeit goods. Trafficking in counterfeits is illegal in the US, and shipments can be seized and destroyed.
FAQ
Is the IW371701 still in production?
No. It was replaced by the 3777 series, which has a different dial layout and an in-house movement family.
Does the IW371701 have a display caseback?
No. It has a solid steel caseback with a soft iron inner cage. A visible movement through the back means the watch is not an IW371701.
What movement does it use?
Caliber 79320, based on the Valjoux 7750 architecture, with day and date and a 44 hour power reserve.
Should I buy a replica instead?
No. You get no warranty, no service path, no resale market, and potential legal trouble at import. If the genuine watch is out of budget, look at a well-documented alternative from a brand with a real service network instead.