What is a replica IW371673?
A replica IW371673 is a copy of the IWC Portugieser Chronograph, the 41 mm steel chrono with two subdials and a thin, plain bezel. The reference sits in the IW3716 family, so a good copy mirrors the case profile, the dial layout, and the leaf hands. Copies that miss the case height or the subdial spacing read as wrong from arm's length.
The genuine watch runs IWC's calibre 69355, an in-house automatic chronograph. Replicas run a modified Asia 7750 or a Chinese clone styled after the 69355. That movement choice explains most of the price spread between tiers.
Which specs should you compare first?
Start with the numbers you can measure. A copy that hits these four points passes the first test.
- Case width: 41 mm. A 43 mm case on a 7-inch wrist looks like a different watch.
- Case height: about 13 mm. Anything near 15 mm sits too tall under a shirt cuff.
- Lug width: 20 mm, so standard aftermarket straps fit.
- Dial balance: 30-minute counter at 12, small seconds at 6, both on the vertical center line.
Ask for a photo straight on, at eye level, next to a ruler. Angled shots hide thickness and hide printing flaws.
Which details separate a top tier copy from a cheap one?
Dial and hands
Applied numerals and indices, not painted ones. The "IWC SCHAFFHAUSEN" text should sit sharp with even letter spacing, and the leaf hands need a clean curve with no burrs at the tips.
Subdial finish matters too. On better copies the snailing is cut, not stamped flat, and both hands return to zero when you reset the chrono.
Case and caseback
Look for correct brushing on the flanks, polished bevels on the lugs, and an engraving that is cut deep rather than laser-etched gray. Reference numbers and the Portugieser script should be legible under a loupe.
Crystal and coating
The sapphire should carry anti-reflective coating on both faces, so the dial stays readable under office lighting. A blue or purple sheen at an angle points to single-sided coating or none at all.
Asia 7750 or clone movement?
The stock 7750 puts running seconds at 9 o'clock. To reach the IW3716 layout, factories add a conversion module or use a clone built for the 12 and 6 arrangement.
Modified 7750s cost less and are easy to service, but the pusher feel can be spongy and the rotor is louder. Clones cost more, run closer to original spec, and are harder to repair outside a specialist.
Ask which movement is inside before you pay. "Swiss movement" on a $200 listing is a claim worth questioning.
How much should a replica IW371673 cost?
Most of the market sits in three bands. Under $200 buys a basic 7750 build with printed markers. Around $250 to $450 buys applied markers, better engraving, and a cleaner dial. Above $500 buys a clone movement, a properly coated crystal, and tighter quality control.
A price far below the band for the specs listed is the loudest warning sign. Product photos get reused across storefronts, so run a reverse image search on the dial shot before you commit.
What should you ask a seller?
- Which movement is inside, and is it a modified 7750 or a clone?
- Can you send a straight-on dial photo and a side profile shot?
- What is the measured case thickness with calipers?
- Is the crystal coated on both faces?
- What is the water resistance rating, and was it tested?
- What is the return window if the watch arrives with a misaligned subdial?
A seller who answers two of those six with real detail is worth a second look. One who replies with marketing copy is not.
What red flags should stop a purchase?
- Subdials that sit off the center line, or a small seconds hand that stutters.
- Markers that are painted silver instead of applied metal.
- Case height listed as "approx" with no measurement.
- Stock photos with no wrist shot and no timestamp.
- Payment methods with no dispute route, such as bank transfer only.
Any one of these is a reason to walk. Two together mean the listing is a template, not a watch.
How do you care for it?
Keep it away from hot water and steam, even when the listing claims 50 m. Gaskets are the weak point on replicas. Run the chrono a few times a month to keep lubricants moving, and book service when the pusher feel changes.
Store it on a soft surface with the strap relaxed. Leather cracks when it dries out while folded.
Frequently asked questions
Is the replica IW371673 worth buying?
It depends on the tier. A mid-range copy with applied markers and a clean dial wears well for daily use. A sub-$100 example shows its price on the wrist within a week.
Do replicas come with box and papers?
Some sellers ship generic packaging. Genuine IWC boxes and cards trade in a separate market, and a replica card proves nothing about the watch.
Can a watchmaker service it?
Yes, if it runs a 7750 base. Many shops will strip, clean, and relubricate that movement. Clone calibres often need parts from the factory that built them.