Quick answer
A fake Portofino 37 is a counterfeit copy of the IWC Portofino Automatic 37, a 37mm stainless steel dress watch with a date window at 3 o'clock. The copies follow the same case size and dial layout, but they use third party movements, printed or poorly applied dial elements, and case finishing that does not match the original. In the United States, importing, selling, or trafficking these watches is illegal, and a purchase carries no warranty, no service support from the brand, and no resale value.
What the genuine Portofino 37 is
IWC lists the Portofino Automatic 37 with a 37mm case, roughly 9mm thick, a sapphire crystal, and water resistance rated to 3 bar. The watch runs the IWC calibre 35111, an automatic movement derived from the Sellita SW300-1, with about 42 hours of power reserve. The dial is simple: applied indices, leaf shaped hands, and a date aperture at 3. Standard fitment is a leather strap, with some references on a steel bracelet or with a diamond set bezel.
How to check a watch sold as a Portofino 37
Work through these checks in order. Each one takes a minute, and a single failure is enough to stop.
- Measure the case across the bezel with the crown set aside. A genuine 37 measures close to 37mm, and copies often run 1mm to 2mm off.
- Check the thickness with calipers. The original sits near 9mm, while replicas built on a Miyota or Seagull movement often add 1mm or more.
- Examine the dial printing under magnification. "IWC" and "Schaffhausen" should be crisp, level, and evenly spaced, with no ink bleed.
- Look at the date aperture. The window should be sharp cut and the numerals should fill it. Cheap copies show a gap or a mismatched font.
- Inspect the hands under a loupe. Original leaf hands are polished on every face, while copies often leave a dull underside.
- Check the crystal reflection at an angle. Genuine sapphire carries an anti reflective coating that shows a faint blue or purple tint.
- Read the caseback engraving. Reference numbers, serial numbers, and the surrounding text should be deep, sharp, and consistent in font.
- Study the movement through the display back. Rotor engraving, perlage, and screw finishing on a genuine calibre 35111 are clean and even.
- Feel the crown action. A correct crown turns with light resistance and seats flush against the case.
- Test the strap and buckle. Original alligator has a tight, irregular scale pattern, and the buckle logo is stamped rather than painted.
Movements used in copies
Most watches sold under this name run a Miyota 9015, a Seagull ST2130, or a decorated Asian clone. Sellers describe them as Swiss ETA or Swiss made, but a Swiss movement inside a counterfeit watch does not make the watch legitimate. Genuine calibre 35111 components are not released to independent repair shops, so service on a fake is limited to whatever the third party movement itself allows.
Legal position in the United States
US customs law bars importation of goods bearing a counterfeit registered trademark, and trafficking carries criminal penalties. Brand owners pursue seizures and takedowns through customs and platform enforcement. Resale is equally closed: auction houses and watch forums pull listings on request, and a buyer who later learns the watch is a copy has no claim through the manufacturer.
If you want the real Portofino 37
- Buy through an authorized IWC retailer or boutique.
- Ask for the full set, meaning the box, papers, and a dated warranty card.
- Have an independent watchmaker confirm the movement and case numbers before any secondary market purchase.
- Register the watch with IWC so the serial number is checked against factory records.