What Is the Best Fake IW371704 Watch?
The best fake IW371704 watch is the top-tier 1:1 clone with an Asia 7750 or Swiss 7750 automatic chronograph, a 42mm stainless steel case that copies the original profile, a double AR sapphire crystal, and correct subdial spacing. Pick that version first. Anything cheaper trades away the automatic movement, the sapphire, or the case finish, and those three parts drive how the watch looks and feels on the wrist.
The IW371704 belongs to the IWC Aquatimer line, a dive chronograph. The genuine watch uses an IWC-modified Valjoux 7750 known as calibre 79320 and carries a 200m rating. A replica can copy the shape and the dial. It will not copy the movement decoration or the depth rating.
Fake IW371704 Price Comparison: Buyer's Guide
How the Three Replica Tiers Compare
Three build tiers cover most of the market for this reference. Sellers name them in different ways, but the parts inside follow the same pattern.
Tier 1: The 1:1 Clone
This is the version to buy if the watch will get real wear. It is the only tier that gets the small details right at arm's length.
- Movement: Asia 7750 automatic chronograph at 28,800 vph, or a Swiss 7750 on the top builds
- Case: 316L stainless steel, about 42mm, with the correct lug curve and crown guards
- Crystal: sapphire with anti-reflective coating on both faces
- Dial: applied markers, correct font weight, date window in the right spot
- Water resistance: 30m after a proper seal check, and no more
Tier 2: The Mid-Range Copy
Mid-range copies keep the automatic movement and often the sapphire crystal. The savings come out of the case and dial instead.
- Subdial spacing drifts from the original layout
- AR coating is missing or applied to one face
- Bezel action feels gritty, with play at the 12 o'clock mark
- Bracelet or strap uses folded links and light hardware
Tier 3: The Budget Replica
Budget copies run quartz. The chronograph second hand ticks once per second instead of sweeping, and the pushers feel hollow. This tier can pass a photo. It fails a handshake.
What Should You Check Before You Buy?
Five points separate a good IW371704 replica from a bad one. Ask the seller for photos or video of each.
1. The Chronograph Movement
Start and stop the chronograph, then reset it. The hand should snap back to zero without drifting. A 7750-based movement also lets you feel a firm click at each pusher. Quartz copies give a soft press and a ticking second hand.
2. Dial and Date
Look at the marker edges and the print under a phone zoom. Sharp edges and level print point to a Tier 1 dial. Fuzzy edges and a date window that sits off-center point to a cheap one.
3. Case and Bezel
Run a finger along the lug edges. A good case feels smooth on the brushed faces and crisp where the polish meets the brush. Cheap cases show tool marks and uneven brushing.
4. Crystal and Lume
Hold the watch at an angle under a lamp. A sapphire crystal with AR coating almost disappears. Mineral glass throws a green or blue glare. Charge the lume with a flashlight for 30 seconds, then check it in a dark room. Good lume glows for hours, poor lume fades in minutes.
5. Water Resistance
Do not trust the rating printed on the caseback. Most replica seals fail past 30m. If you swim, have a watchmaker pressure test and reseal the case first.
Price Guide: What Each Tier Costs
Asking prices move with the seller and the movement, so treat these as ballparks.
- Budget quartz copy: $80 to $150
- Mid-range automatic: $200 to $350
- Tier 1 with Asia 7750: $400 to $600
- Tier 1 with Swiss 7750: $650 and up
Spending more buys a better movement and case. It does not buy a genuine watch, and resale value stays near zero across every tier.
Which Version Fits Your Needs?
- Daily wear and closest look: Tier 1 with the Asia 7750. It takes a strap change and holds up to desk life.
- Long-term keeper: Tier 1 with a Swiss 7750, plus a service within the first year.
- Gym or travel beater: Tier 3 quartz. Losing it costs little.
- Display or photo use: Tier 2 automatic. Fine in stills, weak in the hand.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a fake IW371704 worth buying?
It is worth it if you want the Aquatimer look without the genuine price and accept the limits. The movement, the finishing, and the water rating all fall short of the real watch.
How do I spot a low-grade IW371704 replica?
Check the second hand first. A ticking hand means quartz, and quartz means the lowest tier. Then check the crystal for glare and the bezel for play.
What movement sits inside a good replica IW371704?
Most Tier 1 builds use the Asia 7750, a Chinese copy of the Valjoux 7750 that the genuine calibre 79320 is based on. Swiss 7750 versions cost more and run smoother.
Can I wear a replica IW371704 in water?
Only after a reseal and a pressure test. Stock seals often leak at shallow depths, and a dive watch that fogs up is a dead watch.
The Pick, in One Line
Buy the Tier 1 1:1 clone with an Asia 7750 and sapphire crystal, and budget for a service and a reseal. That combination gives you the closest copy of the IW371704 for a fraction of the genuine price, with the fewest surprises.