What is the IW371620?
The IW371620 is the reference number for the IWC Portugieser Chronograph in stainless steel, the 2020 update to the long-running ref 3714. It has a 41mm case, a silver-plated dial with two sub-registers at 12 and 6 o'clock, and IWC's in-house calibre 69355 automatic chronograph movement. Retail price in the United States sits at about $7,900.
IWC launched the Portugieser line in the 1930s and brought back the chronograph in the 1990s. The design stays close to the original: thin feuille hands, applied Arabic numerals, and a dial with almost nothing on it. That simplicity is why the reference gets copied so much.
What does "fake IW371620" mean?
Search results for that phrase mix three different things: counterfeits that carry the IWC name and logo, unbranded homages that copy the look, and genuine watches sold with fake paperwork. Each one carries a different risk and a different price.
- Counterfeit or replica: a copy of the case, dial, and IWC branding. Prices run from about $60 for a quartz version to $800 for a "super clone" with an automatic movement.
- Homage: same proportions and dial layout, no IWC logo. Legal to sell because it makes no trademark claim.
- Franken or dressed-up watch: a fake case fitted with genuine IWC parts, then sold as a complete genuine piece.
The third category causes the most damage. A buyer pays genuine money for a watch that mixes real and fake components, and no service center will touch it.
How do you tell a fake IW371620 from the real watch?
Start with the movement
The genuine calibre 69355 is automatic and beats at 28,800 vibrations per hour, so the seconds hand sweeps in eight small steps per second and the power reserve runs about 46 hours. A quartz fake ticks once per second. Through a display back you should see IWC engraving, Geneva stripes, and a balance wheel that oscillates instead of ticking.
Look at the dial and hands
Feuille hands are polished and faceted, so light travels down the center of each hand in a hard line. Replica hands sit flat and thick. Applied numerals should line up with the printed minute track and show no glue at the edges.
Measure the case
A real 3716 case measures 41mm across and about 13mm thick. Many replicas run 1mm to 2mm thicker because the movement under the dial needs more room. Check the crown as well: the genuine part has sharp knurling and sits flush with the case band.
Read the caseback
Genuine casebacks carry the reference number, a case serial, "International Watch Co.", "Schaffhausen", and a sapphire window on most versions. Engraving cuts deep with crisp edges. Laser-printed text on a fake looks shallow and can rub off with a thumb.
Feel the finish
Brushed and polished surfaces on a genuine case meet in sharp lines. Cheaper fakes show rounded transitions and polishing that bleeds over the brushed sections. Weight is a weak test now that replica makers use 316L steel, so ignore the "it feels light" advice on forums.
Why is the Portugieser Chronograph copied so often?
The watch has no precious metal and no complex case shape, so a copy costs less to make than a fake dive watch with a ceramic bezel. Demand is high because the design works as a dress watch and a daily wearer at the same time.
A clean dial also hides flaws. There are no gem-set markers or skeletonized parts where mistakes show. Buyers who compare photos online see a close match, and photos are how most fakes sell.
Is buying or selling a fake IW371620 legal in the United States?
No. Trafficking in counterfeit goods is a federal crime under 18 U.S.C. § 2320, with penalties that reach 10 years in prison for a first offense. U.S. Customs and Border Protection can seize counterfeit shipments, and that rule applies to a single watch ordered for personal use.
Reselling a replica as a genuine watch adds fraud and trademark infringement to the list. Auction houses, pawn shops, and online marketplaces pull listings once a buyer reports them.
What should you check before you pay for an IW371620?
- Ask for the reference and case serial, then confirm the serial with an IWC boutique or authorized service center.
- Request photos of the movement through the caseback, not just the dial.
- Insist on the box, warranty card, and receipt. IWC papers list the reference and the serial.
- Pay with a method that allows a chargeback if the watch fails verification.
- Have an independent watchmaker open the case before the return window closes.
FAQ
How much does a real IW371620 cost?
IWC lists the stainless steel Portugieser Chronograph at about $7,900 in the US. Pre-owned prices sit lower, and a full set with box and papers holds more value than a watch on its own.
Can a watchmaker spot a fake IW371620?
Yes, and the movement gives it away in seconds. Replica chronographs use modified 7750 clones, Seagull movements, or quartz, none of which match the finish and layout of calibre 69355.
Do fake IW371620 watches keep time?
Some automatic replicas run within a few seconds a day when new. The trouble comes later: no service network, no spare parts, and gaskets that fail at the first swim.
Is a top-tier replica worth the money?
A high-end fake still costs $600 to $900 and still cannot be serviced by IWC. For that budget, a used entry-level Swiss chronograph keeps its value and comes with a real warranty.
Bottom line
The IW371620 is a 41mm steel chronograph with a clean dial and an in-house movement, which is why counterfeiters target it. The movement, the case thickness, and the caseback engraving are the three checks that expose a fake fastest.