A fake IW938720 is a counterfeit watch offered under a reference number in the IW938720 format, usually with a claim that it is an authentic IWC piece. The quickest way to judge one is to compare the engraved reference and serial numbers against the model's official specifications, then inspect the case, dial printing, and movement for inconsistencies. One small difference can be a repair or a re-polish, but two or three mismatches together almost always mean counterfeit.

What the IW938720 Reference Tells You

IWC reference numbers normally use the letters IW followed by six digits, and each set of digits maps to a specific case size, movement family, dial variant, and production period. That structure is what makes a fake IW938720 checkable. If the number stamped on the caseback does not match the specs the model should have, the watch is not what the listing says it is.

Two numbers matter, and sellers often confuse them on purpose:

  • Reference number: identifies the model and variant, for example case material and dial color.
  • Serial number: identifies the individual watch, usually 7 to 8 digits, and should sit within the production range for that reference.

The reference should appear consistently on the caseback, any certificate or card, and the outer box label. When the reference on the card differs from the reference on the case, walk away.

Fast Checks Before You Pay

Case and caseback engraving

Genuine engraving is cut into the metal with clean, uniform depth. Counterfeits usually show shallow laser etching, blurred edges, or lettering that is too large or unevenly spaced. Rub your thumb across it. Real engraving feels crisp; etching feels flat.

Dial printing and applied markers

  • Brand text and sub-dial lettering sit sharp and level under a loupe, with no bleeding or double edges.
  • Applied indices are set at an even height, and lume fills them without overflow onto the dial.
  • Date windows align with the aperture and the date font matches the period of the reference.

Movement and finish

A watchmaker can open the caseback in minutes. On a genuine piece you expect consistent perlage, Geneva stripes, chamfered bridges, and a rotor engraving that matches the reference. Counterfeits often use a stock movement with a decorative plate, and the plate edges or screws give it away.

Weight, sound, and hand feel

Counterfeit cases are frequently plated brass or low-grade steel, so the watch feels light for its size. A rotor that spins loudly or wobbles is another sign. Crown threads should engage smoothly in the first turn, not grind.

Red Flags in an Online Listing

  • Price far below the going rate for the reference, especially with urgency language.
  • Stock photos instead of dated images of the exact watch, including the caseback.
  • No serial number visible, or a serial blurred out in every photo.
  • Payment requested outside a protected platform, by gift card, or by bank transfer.
  • A seller who cannot state the reference and serial without checking their own notes.
  • Box and papers that look new while the watch shows heavy wear, or the reverse.

Verification Steps That Actually Settle It

  1. Photograph the caseback, dial, and clasp in daylight and zoom in.
  2. Compare the reference against the published specs for that model: case size, movement, and dial options.
  3. Ask an authorized service center or an independent watchmaker to authenticate in hand. This is the only step that is close to conclusive.
  4. Check the serial against any service records the seller provides.
  5. Compare asking prices across several listings for the same reference to see whether the offer makes sense.

Replica vs Counterfeit: A Useful Distinction

Buyers searching for a fake IW938720 usually fall into two groups. One group wants a genuine watch and needs to avoid a counterfeit. The other wants the look of the reference without the price of an original, and looks for a replica. Those are different transactions. A replica is sold openly as a replica, with a clear description and an honest price. A counterfeit is sold as the real thing, which is where fraud and legal risk enter. If a listing hides what the watch is, treat the seller as the problem, not the watch.

If You Already Bought One

Stop wearing it, keep every message and receipt, and contact the payment provider or platform dispute team as soon as you suspect the watch is not genuine. If the seller claimed an authentic brand item, that claim is the basis of your complaint. Have a watchmaker document the differences in writing, since a short technical note carries more weight than photos alone.