A replica IW371789 is an unlicensed copy of the IWC Portugieser Chronograph, sold as a 1:1 or AAA-grade imitation of the 41 mm steel chronograph. The better versions match the case profile, the twin vertical sub-dials at 12 and 6, and the leaf-shaped hands, but almost all run a third-party chronograph movement instead of IWC's in-house calibre. Owners get no warranty, no brand service, and no guaranteed water resistance.
What is the original IW371789?
IW3717 is the reference family for the IWC Portugieser Chronograph, a 41 mm stainless steel watch with a sapphire crystal, 30 m water resistance, and a dial built around two stacked sub-dials. The final digits of an IWC reference identify the dial, hand, and strap combination, so IW371789 is one specific configuration within that family rather than a separate model.
Current-production Portugieser Chronographs use IWC's in-house calibre 69355 with a 46-hour power reserve. Earlier IW3717 examples used the 79350, a heavily reworked Valjoux 7750.
How close is a 1:1 replica to the genuine watch?
A good copy captures the silhouette: 41 mm diameter, a thin polished bezel, applied Arabic numerals, and feuille hands. What separates the tiers is finishing, dial printing, and sub-dial spacing.
- Case: mid-tier copies sit 1 to 2 mm thicker than the 13 mm original because the movement and spacer stack differently.
- Dial: numerals and the minute track are printed rather than applied on cheaper builds, and the brand text often looks heavier than the original.
- Hands: leaf hands tend to be slightly flat, missing the subtle curvature that catches light on the genuine piece.
- Crystal: sapphire with double anti-reflective coating is common on top tiers, mineral glass on budget builds.
- Caseback: engraving depth and font weight are the fastest giveaways under a loupe.
Which movement does a replica IW371789 use?
Most replicas of this reference run a Chinese-made clone of the Valjoux 7750 or a Seagull chronograph movement. Both are cam-actuated, so the pushers feel heavier and sound louder than IWC's own calibre. A small number of high-end builds copy the 69355 layout, but they are still third-party movements with no factory parts support.
Expect roughly 38 to 45 hours of power reserve, running seconds at 6, and a 30-minute chronograph counter at 12.
How do you spot a replica IW371789?
Start with thickness and weight, then check the details a copy cannot fake cheaply.
- Measure the case: anything over 14 mm is almost certainly a replica.
- Look at the date window at 3: the font should be fine and even, not bold and cramped.
- Press the pushers: a 7750-based copy has a heavier, more mechanical click than the 69355.
- Check the chronograph minutes hand: on many copies it sits slightly off-centre.
- Inspect caseback engraving and reference stamping under a loupe.
What does a replica not give you?
No warranty, no service network, and no parts availability once the movement needs attention. Water resistance is claimed on paper but rarely pressure-tested, so swimming is a risk most owners should skip. Resale value is close to zero and IWC will not service the watch.
Is buying a replica IW371789 legal?
In the United States, trafficking in counterfeit goods is illegal, and shipments of counterfeit watches can be seized and destroyed by Customs and Border Protection. Personal possession is rarely prosecuted, but importation and resale carry real legal exposure. Trademark law in the EU and UK follows a similar pattern.
Treat a purchase as a decision with legal and practical risk attached, not a harmless bargain.
Does the chronograph actually work on a replica?
Yes on most mid-tier and higher builds: the pushers start, stop, and reset the sweep seconds. Sub-dial function is usually the first thing to fail when a cheap movement is used.
How much does a replica IW371789 cost?
Budget builds sit under a few hundred dollars, while higher-tier examples with sapphire and a 7750 clone run several hundred more. Price alone is a poor quality signal, so ask for macro photos of the dial and caseback before deciding.
Will a jeweler service a replica IW371789?
Brand-authorised watchmakers refuse, and independent watchmakers often decline because parts for clone movements are inconsistent. Budget for replacement rather than repair.