A replica IW371628 is a copy of the IWC Portugieser Chronograph reference IW371628, a 41 mm two-register chronograph from IWC's 3716 generation. Copies are produced mainly in China and sold online at a fraction of the genuine price, which sits in the several-thousand-dollar range. The copy usually looks close in photos and falls short in movement, finishing, and long-term reliability.
What is the reference IW371628?
The IW371628 belongs to the Portugieser Chronograph family, IWC's best-known two-subdial chronograph. The 3716 generation replaced the older 3714 line and moved to an in-house IWC chronograph caliber instead of a modified Valjoux 7750. The design keeps the same layout: a 41 mm round case, subdials at 12 and 6 o'clock, thin feuille hands, and a clean, wide dial.
What does the replica version actually copy?
Most copies replicate the exterior: case size, dial layout, hands, crown, pushers, strap, and the folding clasp. Builders work from photos and, in some cases, from a genuine watch used as a reference sample. The result is a watch that reads correctly at arm's length, which is exactly why the replica market exists.
- 41 mm stainless steel case with polished and brushed surfaces
- Two-register chronograph dial with printed brand text
- Sapphire or mineral crystal, depending on grade
- Automatic or quartz movement, depending on price tier
- Leather strap with a deployant or pin buckle
How close is a replica IW371628 to the genuine watch?
Close enough to fool a casual glance, and not close enough to fool a watchmaker. The gap shows up in three places: the movement, the case finishing, and the small details of the dial.
Movement
Most automatic copies use a 7750-derived Asian chronograph movement running at 28,800 vibrations per hour with roughly 40 to 48 hours of power reserve. The genuine 3716 uses a column-wheel, vertical-clutch caliber with a 46-hour reserve and a distinctly different pusher feel. That difference is audible and tactile the moment you start and stop the chronograph.
Case and dial finishing
Replica cases are milled and polished quickly, so edges are softer and the transition between brushed and polished surfaces is less crisp. Dial printing on copies is often slightly heavier, and the small applied markers can sit unevenly. Genuine dials use finer pad printing and tighter tolerances on hand alignment.
Tell-tale signs on a copy
- Case thickness above roughly 13 mm, a common side effect of a 7750 base
- Subdial hands that are too short or too thick for the apertures
- Engraving on the caseback that is shallow or has the wrong letter spacing
- Pushers that feel gritty, stiff, or inconsistent from one press to the next
- A date window on a reference that does not have one
How much does a replica IW371628 cost?
Copy pricing usually runs from about 80 US dollars for a basic quartz version to 350 dollars or more for a higher-grade automatic build with a sapphire crystal.
Is buying a replica IW371628 legal in the United States?
No. Importing a counterfeit watch into the United States is illegal, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection can seize and destroy shipments of counterfeit goods. Trademark law protects the IWC name, logo, and other brand identifiers that a counterfeit uses without permission. A buyer also gets no warranty, no service support from the brand, and no practical recourse if the watch never arrives or fails.
Frequently asked questions
Does the replica IW371628 have a working chronograph?
Automatic copies usually do, because the 7750 base keeps a functioning chronograph mechanism. Cheap quartz versions often have decorative subdials that do not count anything useful.
Can a jeweler spot a replica IW371628?
Yes. Opening the caseback reveals the movement immediately, and the finishing, engraving, and pusher feel give the watch away side by side with a genuine example.
Will a replica IW371628 hold its value?
No. Copies have essentially no resale market, while genuine IWC watches keep a meaningful share of their value on the secondary market.
How do you check a used genuine IW371628 before buying?
Ask for the movement photo, the serial and reference engraving, the original box and papers, and a service history. Have an independent watchmaker inspect the movement before money changes hands.