A replica IW371787 is a counterfeit copy of the IWC Portugieser Chronograph, a 41 mm stainless steel two-register chronograph. The IW371787 reference number belongs to IWC Schaffhausen, so anything sold as a "replica IW371787" is a third-party copy, not an IWC watch. The genuine reference comes with a Swiss movement, a factory warranty and service support. The copy comes with none of them.

What the IW371787 reference actually is

IWC builds the Portugieser Chronograph as a dress-sport chronograph with a clean, legible dial. The reference sits in a family that has stayed in near-continuous production for decades, which is one reason it is copied so heavily.

  • Case: stainless steel, about 41 mm on current versions, with slim lugs and a narrow bezel
  • Layout: two subdials stacked vertically, chronograph minutes at 12 and running seconds at 6
  • Movement: automatic chronograph, in-house on recent references and an ETA-derived base on older ones
  • Crystal: sapphire, usually front and back, so the movement is visible
  • Dial: applied numerals and baton hands, with several color options across the family

Dial color, strap and movement differ between individual references, so confirm the exact configuration of IW371787 with IWC before you compare any watch against it.

Why searches for replica IW371787 are common

The Portugieser Chronograph costs far less than a comparable Rolex chronograph, and its design is quiet enough that most people never look twice at the wrist. That mix makes it a frequent target for counterfeiters and a frequent search for buyers who want the silhouette without the price. Copy makers also benefit from low scrutiny, since fewer people know what an IWC should look like, so errors pass unnoticed.

How replica IW371787 watches are usually graded

Sellers describe copies in tiers, and the labels matter less than the movement inside.

  • Quartz copies: battery powered. The 6 o'clock subdial ticks once per second or does nothing at all, and the chronograph pushers feel hollow.
  • Entry automatic copies: a generic automatic chronograph movement, frequently with subdials spaced slightly wrong or the date in the wrong place.
  • High-tier copies: cloned or modified movements, closer case finishing and better dial printing. These cost several hundred dollars and carry the same legal status as the cheapest quartz version.

Checks that expose most copies

  1. Watch the small seconds at 6. On a mechanical Portugieser it sweeps. On a quartz copy it jumps.
  2. Run the chronograph and confirm the minutes counter at 12 advances in steps rather than snapping to a stop.
  3. Compare dial printing. The brand name and the town name should sit level, with even letter spacing and crisp edges.
  4. Inspect the date window if the reference has one. Position, font and magnification are common failure points.
  5. Turn the watch over. Caseback engravings on copies are shallow, misaligned or use the wrong reference digits.
  6. Feel the crown and pushers. Screw-down threads should engage smoothly, and pushers should have a defined click.

Legal and practical risk

Counterfeit watches infringe registered trademarks, and customs authorities in the United States and the European Union seize and destroy them on entry. Buying one is not a private matter. Shipments can be intercepted, and repeat importers can face penalties.

The practical problems outlast the legal ones. IWC will not service a copy, independent watchmakers often refuse to open one, spare parts do not exist, and claimed water resistance is not reliable. Resale value sits close to zero.

Reasonable alternatives

  • Buy a pre-owned genuine Portugieser Chronograph from an earlier reference, which costs less than a new one and holds value.
  • Look at a hommage-style watch from a microbrand that uses an original design and a serviceable movement.
  • If the goal is the look on a budget, a well-made steel chronograph from a legitimate brand will outlast three copies.

FAQ

Is IW371787 a real IWC reference?

Yes. The reference belongs to IWC Schaffhausen. The word replica in front of it describes a counterfeit, not a variant made by IWC.

Can a replica IW371787 be serviced?

Rarely. Brand service centers will not work on counterfeits, and parts for clone movements are inconsistent, so many copies end up disposable.

How do I verify a genuine Portugieser Chronograph?

Ask for the warranty card, the original invoice and a service history, then have the watch inspected by an independent watchmaker or an authorized dealer before money changes hands.