What Is the Replica IW371660?
The replica IW371660 is a copy of the IWC Portugieser Chronograph ref. IW371660, a stainless steel chronograph with a 41 mm case, twin sub-dials at 12 and 6, and a slim bezel that leaves the dial wide open. The genuine watch runs an in-house calibre with a 46-hour power reserve and 30 m of water resistance. A copy lives or dies on three things: case proportions, dial printing, and how the movement inside affects the thickness.
Replicas of this reference come at several quality tiers. Cheap ones look right in a photo and wrong on the wrist. Top-tier ones match the case profile, the dial texture, and the sub-dial placement with enough care that the gap shows up only next to the real watch.
IW371660 Specs to Compare Against
- Case: stainless steel, about 41 mm across, about 13 mm thick on the genuine
- Dial: applied markers, printed minute track, chronograph minutes at 12 and running seconds at 6
- Crystal: domed sapphire with anti-reflective coating on both faces
- Movement: IWC calibre 69355, automatic, 46-hour power reserve
- Water resistance: 3 bar (30 m) on the genuine
- Strap: alligator leather on a pin buckle
Dial color changes with the variant, so compare seller photos against the exact genuine configuration you want rather than the first image you find. Case thickness is the number buyers skip, and it is the number that decides whether the watch looks right on a shirt cuff.
How Do You Tell a Good Replica IW371660 From a Bad One?
Case and finishing
Look at the lugs first. On a good copy the brushed top and the polished flank meet on a crisp line, and the lugs curve down toward the strap with no flat spot. Weak copies show soft edges, uneven brushing, and a case that sits tall because the movement underneath is too thick.
Dial and sub-dial spacing
The two sub-dials must sit on the vertical center line and face each other. If the lower sub-dial drifts off center or the rings look printed instead of recessed, the copy is low tier. Check the marker edges under a lamp. Applied markers cast a small shadow, printed ones do not.
The movement question
Movement choice drives thickness and sub-dial layout. A modified Valjoux 7750 keeps costs down but adds height and changes the gear train. A clone built to the 69355 layout with sub-dials at 12 and 6 sits closer to the genuine profile, and it costs more.
Strap and buckle
Genuine alligator is soft and shows fine scale lines. Most replicas ship with embossed cowhide that feels stiff and cracks at the spring bar. The buckle should match the case finish and carry engraving that is cut, not stamped.
What Should You Check Before You Buy?
- Ask for photos from the side and the back, not just the dial.
- Confirm the case diameter and thickness in millimeters.
- Ask which movement is inside and how it changes the height.
- Get the return window in writing.
- Confirm the strap material and the buckle type.
- Pick a seller who photographs the same watch in daylight, with no filters.
What Do the Quality Tiers Cost?
Prices for a replica IW371660 fall into three rough bands. Entry copies sit under $200 and show it in the dial and the case edges. Mid tier runs about $250 to $500 and gets the proportions and the dial right. Top tier sits at $500 and up, and the extra money goes into the movement layout, the crystal coating, and the strap.
Ranges shift with the seller, so treat them as bands, not prices. A seller who cannot name the movement or the case thickness is not worth a deposit, whatever the listing photos show.
Is a Replica IW371660 Worth It?
It depends on what you want from the watch. If you want the Portugieser look on your wrist without paying five figures, a mid-tier copy delivers that. If you want a watch a watchmaker can service and that you can hand down or resell, a replica is the wrong purchase.
Frequently Asked Questions
How close is a replica IW371660 to the real watch?
Close on the outside, less so on the inside. Case size, dial layout, and strap can be matched well. The in-house movement, the hand-finished bridges, and the long-term rate are where the genuine pulls ahead.
Which movement sits inside the replica?
Most copies use either a modified Valjoux 7750 or a clone built to the 69355 layout with sub-dials at 12 and 6. Ask the seller which one, then compare the thickness you are quoted against the genuine figure.
Can a jeweler tell it is a replica?
Yes, from the back and from the movement. From across a table a top-tier copy is harder to call. The crystal coating, the case finishing, and the crown action give it away to anyone who handles the real watch.
Is buying a replica watch legal?
Rules vary by country. Replicas are not authorized by IWC, brand service centers will not work on them, and customs can seize a shipment in some markets. Check your local rules before you order.
Care and Maintenance
Keep the watch away from hot water, soap, and steam. The genuine case is rated to 30 m, and a copy does not seal as well, so rinse-free wiping beats a sink. Use a soft cloth on the crystal and keep the leather strap dry.
Store the watch on a soft surface with the crown pushed in. A box with a cushion stops the strap from creasing, and a dry drawer beats a bathroom shelf every time.