The IW371493 is a real IWC reference in the Portugieser Chronograph line, so a fake IW371493 is a counterfeit copy of that model, not a separate watch. The fastest way to tell them apart is the case back: a genuine example has crisp reference and serial engraving, matching numbers on the movement and the case, and paperwork that ties the two together. A fake normally fails at least one of those checks.
What the IW371493 reference actually is
The IW371493 sits inside the IWC Portugieser Chronograph family, the IW3714xx block of references. These are automatic chronographs with two subdials, a 30-minute counter at 12 o'clock and small running seconds at 6 o'clock, applied Arabic numerals, and a sapphire display back on most versions.
Recent Portugieser Chronograph references use IWC's in-house chronograph calibre. Earlier generations were built on a heavily modified Valjoux 7750 architecture. Knowing which calibre belongs to the reference you are looking at is useful, because a counterfeit seller will often describe the movement in vague terms.
Quick checks that expose a fake IW371493
Case back and serial numbers
- Engraving depth and crispness. Genuine IWC engraving is sharp and even. Replicas often look laser-etched, soft, or fuzzy at the edges.
- Serial and reference should match on the case back, the movement, and the certificate. Fakes frequently reuse the same serial across batches.
- A solid case back on a model that should have a display back is an immediate red flag.
Dial and subdial details
- Subdial layout. The Portugieser Chronograph uses two registers, not three. A fake built on a stock 7750 movement sometimes shows an extra subdial or a dead counter.
- Printing. Look at the brand name under 12 o'clock and the "Automatic" line. Real dial printing stays razor sharp under a loupe.
- Applied numerals should be polished and sit above the dial surface. Painted numerals are a giveaway.
- Date window alignment and the font inside it. A crooked or oversized date window is a common replica fault.
Movement and chronograph feel
Start the chronograph and reset it. The pushers on a genuine watch have a firm, short travel with a clean click. On a replica the pushers feel mushy, spongy, or long. The sweep of the chronograph seconds hand should be smooth, and a stuttering hand points to a cheap quartz or a poorly finished movement.
Through a display back, check the finishing. IWC decorates the bridges and the rotor. Look for even Geneva stripes, clean bevels, and blued screws. Fakes usually show shallow striping, rough edges, and rotor engraving that is lighter than the original.
Case, crystal, and strap
- Height. Automatic chronograph movements are thick, and many replicas sit taller on the wrist than the original.
- Crystal. Genuine sapphire has an anti-reflective coating, which makes the dial almost disappear at an angle. Cheap mineral glass shows heavy reflections.
- Strap and buckle. Crocodile leather with even stitching and a signed, correctly finished buckle. Replica straps are often stiff, thin, or plastic-looking.
Price and paperwork red flags
No legitimate seller lists an IWC Portugieser Chronograph far below the going secondary market price. If the number looks too low for a steel automatic chronograph from a Swiss brand with an in-house calibre, assume the watch is fake until proven otherwise. Missing or mismatched papers, a generic box, and a seller who avoids close-up photos of the case back all point the same way.
High-end replicas: what they get right and what they miss
Good replicas of the IW371493 get the overall proportions, dial color, and basic chronograph function close enough to fool someone across a table. They still miss details under inspection: engraving quality, movement finishing, crystal coating, and the feel of the pushers. If your goal is the look on the wrist at a distance, a replica delivers that. If your goal is resale value, serviceability, or long-term accuracy, it does not.
How to verify an IW371493 before you pay
- Ask for macro photos of the case back, the movement through the display back, and the dial printing.
- Compare the serial number against the certificate and the movement.
- Have a watchmaker open the case and confirm the calibre and finishing.
- Buy from a dealer with a return policy and a documented service history.
- Price the watch against several sold listings, not asking prices.
Treat "fake IW371493" as a question about authenticity and about replica quality at the same time. The reference is real, the copies are common, and the deciding evidence is always in the details: engraving, dial printing, movement finishing, and paperwork that matches.