Short Answer

The replica IW371493 copies the IWC Portuguese Chronograph. The original is a steel watch of 40.9 mm with a 12.3 mm case, a silver or white dial, two subdials, and a chronograph movement built on the Valjoux 7750.

Replica factories sell that layout at three tiers: quartz, Asian 7750 automatic, and decorated 7750. Prices run from about $80 to $550. Public records for the exact suffix 493 are thin, so treat any listing as a claim to verify.

Original Reference Facts

  • Case: 40.9 mm diameter, 12.3 mm thick, stainless steel
  • Dial: feuille hands, applied Arabic numerals, 30-minute counter at 12, running seconds at 6
  • Crystal: domed sapphire with antireflective coating on both faces
  • Water resistance: 30 m (3 bar)
  • Movement: calibre 79350, automatic, 28,800 vph, 31 jewels, 44-hour power reserve
  • Strap: alligator leather on a steel pin buckle
  • Caseback: solid steel, engraved with reference and movement numbers

What Differs on the Replica

  • Case thickness: most copies run 12.5 to 14 mm. The extra height comes from a movement spacer.
  • Subdial position: quartz builds often drop the 12 o'clock counter. Automatic builds keep the spacing close to the original.
  • Dial print: the IWC logotype and Schaffhausen text are thinner and softer on entry tiers.
  • Crystal: single-sided coating on cheap builds. The original has coating on both faces.
  • Movement: the Asian 7750 beats at 28,800 vph, the same rate as the original. Quartz copies tick once per second.
  • Caseback engraving: font depth and spacing change from factory to factory.

Movement Tiers

  1. Quartz. $80 to $150. Battery powered. Subdials are decoration on some units.
  2. Asian 7750. $180 to $350. Automatic, 25 jewels, 44-hour reserve. The chronograph functions.
  3. Decorated 7750 or Seagull ST19. $350 to $550. Geneva stripes and perlage on the bridges. ST19 builds are hand wound.

Checks Before Buying

  • Ask for a photo of the movement with the caseback off.
  • Ask for the weight. A steel 40.9 mm watch on leather runs 75 to 95 g.
  • Ask for caliper photos of diameter and thickness.
  • Confirm the subdial at 6 drives the seconds and the subdial at 12 drives the chronograph minutes.
  • Assume no water resistance. A 30 m rating on a replica is untested.

What Replicas Do Not Match

No replica matches IWC finishing, service, or resale value. The original ships with a warranty and holds price on the secondary market. A replica carries neither. Gasket quality, lubrication, and regulator adjustment vary between two units from the same factory.

FAQ

Does the replica use the same movement as the original?

No. The original uses calibre 79350. Replicas use an Asian 7750, a Seagull ST19, or a quartz module. The 7750 shares the base architecture of the original, so the subdial layout matches.

Is a replica IW371493 waterproof?

No. Treat every replica as splash resistant at best. Do not swim with one.