The short answer

A counterfeit IWC 371640 is a bad purchase. US customs can seize it, IWC will not service it, and no collector market exists for it. If you want the Portugieser Chronograph look, buy a genuine pre-owned IW3716 from a seller who provides documentation and a return window, or choose a legitimate homage watch that does not copy the dial, logo, or caseback. This guide will not send you to a counterfeit seller. It explains why the fake is a poor buy and how to get the look without the legal and service risk. The sections below cover how to judge a real 3716 family watch, what the reference should measure, and which red flags appear on fake iw371640 listings.

What to look for in a genuine IWC 3716

Start with the reference and the paperwork, not the photos. IWC prints the reference on the caseback and on the warranty card. Ask the seller for a clear, straight-on photo of both. A genuine 3716 family watch has crisp dial printing, subdials that sit on the correct axis, and a caseback engraving with even depth and no fuzzy edges. The crown should turn with light, precise clicks, and the chronograph pushers should start, stop, and reset with a firm action.

Check the movement through the sapphire caseback. The calibre 69355 has a column wheel and a clean, closed finish. Fake movements often show rough perlage, wrong jewel colors, or a rotor that is too shiny and too thin. If the seller will not show the movement, walk away.

Dial and hands

On a real Portugieser Chronograph, the appliques are polished and sit flat. The leaf hands have a gentle curve and a clean center line. The minute track is thin and consistent. A fake iw371640 often has thicker printing, a date window that sits low, and hands that look flat under angled light.

Case, crown, and strap

The case should measure about 41 mm across and about 13 mm thick, with a mix of brushed and polished surfaces that meet in crisp lines. The strap should be signed and should match the reference. Aftermarket straps are common on genuine watches, so treat that as a negotiation point, not proof of a fake.

Reference and spec bands

  • Case diameter: roughly 41 mm for the current 3716 family
  • Case height: about 13 mm
  • Movement: IWC calibre 69355, automatic, column wheel chronograph
  • Power reserve: about 46 hours
  • Water resistance: 30 m, which means splash resistance, not swimming
  • Crystal: sapphire front and caseback
  • Frequency: 4 Hz (28,800 vph)

Verify every number against the exact reference. IWC has made several 3716 variants, and the specs change with the edition. A seller who cannot name the reference and the year should not get your money.

Red flags on a fake iw371640

  • The price is far below the pre-owned market for the reference.
  • The listing says “1:1,” “super clone,” or “mirror quality.” Those words describe a counterfeit, not a watch.
  • The seller refuses a video call or an in-hand inspection.
  • The caseback engraving is shallow, the reference font is wrong, or the serial is repeated across listings.
  • The chronograph hands do not reset to zero.
  • The movement is hidden or the caseback is closed.
  • Payment is requested by wire, crypto, or a peer-to-peer app with no recourse.

Import rules matter. US Customs and Border Protection can seize counterfeit merchandise, and the buyer loses both the watch and the money. That risk applies to a low-cost fake and a high-cost fake in the same way.

Pitfalls to avoid

Do not buy from a social media page that has no history and no return policy. Do not trust a box and papers set without checking the reference against IWC records and the seller's identity. Do not accept “final sale” on a watch you have not inspected. Do not assume a jeweler can authenticate a modern IWC; many cannot. Use a watchmaker who works on IWC or a paid authentication service.

Budget for service. A genuine 3716 needs periodic maintenance, and a watch with an unknown service history may need a full overhaul. A counterfeit has no service path at all. That is the practical argument against a fake iw371640, before you get to the legal one.

FAQ

Is buying a fake iw371640 illegal?

Importing counterfeit goods into the US is prohibited, and customs can seize the shipment. Selling counterfeit watches is a trademark crime. Buying one is not a safe shortcut, and the watch cannot be insured or serviced through official channels.

Can a jeweler service a fake IWC?

Most will not. Parts are not available, and the movement is not built to IWC specifications. A local watchmaker may change a battery in a quartz fake, but a mechanical counterfeit often cannot be repaired when it fails.

Are “super clones” close to the real thing?

They can look close in photos. They still fail on movement finish, caseback engraving, crown action, and long-term reliability. The resale value is zero, and the legal risk stays with the buyer.

How do I verify an IW371640 reference?

Ask for the warranty card, the caseback photo, and the original invoice. Compare the reference and serial with IWC. A paid authentication from a watchmaker who handles IWC is the safest step before you pay.

What is the better buy?

A genuine pre-owned IW3716 with service history and a return window. If the budget does not reach that, a legitimate homage watch from a brand with its own name on the dial is the honest choice. It keeps the look without the counterfeit risk.