Short answer
IWC does not list a Portofino Automatic with a 46 mm case. The Portofino Automatic measures 40 mm. The Portofino Chronograph measures 42 mm. The Portofino Hand-Wound Eight Days measures 45 mm. A listing that says "Portofino Automatic 46" cites a size the manufacturer does not catalog. That mismatch is the first thing to check when you compare a replica to a real reference.
Genuine Portofino Automatic specs
- Case diameter: 40 mm
- Case material: stainless steel or 18k red gold
- Movement: calibre 35111, automatic, 25 jewels
- Frequency: 28,800 vibrations per hour
- Power reserve: 42 hours
- Crystal: sapphire with antireflective coating on both sides
- Strap: alligator leather on a pin buckle
- Retail price: about $5,000 to $6,500, by reference and year
IWC bases the 35111 on a Sellita SW300-1. The movement is a thin three-hand automatic with no complications. That matters, because a 46 mm case holds a larger movement and a larger dial than the design calls for.
What counterfeits get wrong
- Diameter. Sellers quote 46 mm because a big case is cheaper to machine and hides a low-grade movement. The watch does not wear like the real 40 mm reference.
- Movement. Replicas in the $150 to $400 range use a Chinese automatic or a quartz module. A quartz movement in a watch sold as an automatic is a hard tell.
- Dial printing. The words "Schaffhausen" and "Automatic" sit at fixed positions on the real dial. Copies use wrong fonts, thick lettering, or uneven spacing.
- Date window. The genuine date aperture is cut clean and set level. Copies show an off-center window and a mismatched date font.
- Caseback. Reference numbers on real IWC watches follow a format such as IW3565xx. Copies print numbers that do not resolve to any catalog reference.
- Strap and buckle. Real alligator has visible scale structure. Most replicas ship embossed calf leather with stamped hardware.
Price and paperwork tells
Real Portofino watches sell at four-figure prices, new or used. Listings in the low hundreds are counterfeits. IWC ships each watch with a box, a warranty card, a manual, and a serial that matches the caseback. Counterfeit sets reuse one box across many models. Ask the seller for clear photos of the caseback, the movement, and the serial. A refusal is a risk signal. IWC service centers inspect watches in person and can confirm a reference.
Legal status in the US
US law treats counterfeit goods as contraband. Trafficking in counterfeit goods is a federal crime under 18 U.S.C. 2320. US Customs and Border Protection can seize shipments at the border. Trademark owners can file civil suits against sellers and against site operators. Personal use is charged less often than resale, but import and resale carry legal exposure. This page is a reference guide. It does not endorse buying or selling counterfeits.