A counterfeit IW93806 is a watch presented as an IWC that was not made by IWC Schaffhausen. The reference number itself tells you little, because fakes copy real reference formats and attach them to watches the brand never built. Check the number against IWC's own catalog, then inspect the movement, engraving, weight, and price.
fake iw93806 watch vs. original
What does the term counterfeit IW93806 actually mean?
A counterfeit is an item made to look like a branded product without the brand's involvement. Watch sellers use words like replica, clone, super clone, or just a reference number to describe these copies.
fake iw93806 watch vs. original
People search for this term for two reasons. Some want a cheap look-alike, and others have been offered a watch as genuine and want to know whether it is fake. This guide covers the second case.
Fake IW93806 Watch vs Original: How to Tell Them Apart
How to spot a counterfeit IW93806 in person
Most tells show up in the same five places on every watch. Work through them in order, and stop when one fails.
Top Pick: Best Fake IW93806 Watch for Purchase
- Reference number and caseback engraving
- Movement, finishing, and beat rate
- Dial printing, hands, and crystal
- Weight of the case and bracelet
- Papers, box, and serial number match
Caseback and reference engravings
Genuine IWC casebacks carry the reference number, case material, serial number, and country of origin. The engraving is cut into the metal with sharp edges and even depth. Fakes often use laser etching that looks shallow, uneven, or blurry under a loupe.
Check the reference against IWC's catalog before anything else. If the number on the caseback does not appear in the brand's records, the watch is not an IWC.
Movement and finishing
Open the caseback, or ask a watchmaker to open it for you. Genuine movements show striped plates, blued screws, and a rotor engraved with the brand name.
A timegrapher reading adds hard data. Many low-cost copies run at 21,600 vibrations per hour, while most modern IWC calibers run at 28,800. A beat rate of 21,600 with a sloppy amplitude is a strong sign of a copy.
Dial, hands, and crystal
Look at the dial printing under magnification. Genuine dials have crisp text, square serifs, and no ink bleed. Fakes show thicker fonts, odd spacing between letters, and dust trapped under the crystal.
Sapphire resists scratches for years. Mineral glass on cheap copies picks up marks within weeks, and it reflects light with a different tint.
Weight, case, and bracelet
Solid gold and steel cases have a heft that plated brass or zinc alloy cannot match. Weigh the watch and compare it with the published specs for that reference. A gap of 20 grams or more points to a fake case.
Bracelet screws on a genuine watch sit flush and thread without grit. On copies, the pins are often friction-fit, and the clasp engraving sits shallow.
Papers, box, and serial numbers
Counterfeit sellers print warranty cards that look close in photos. Check that the serial on the card matches the serial on the caseback, and that the card shows a dealer name and a date.
Email the brand's service center and ask them to confirm the serial. That step takes a day and settles most doubts.
Why price is the fastest clue
Price filters out most fakes before you ever see the watch. Genuine IWC watches sell new from roughly $5,000 up to six figures, and used examples hold much of that value.
A listing between $300 and $900 for a watch that retails in the thousands is a counterfeit. No legitimate dealer sells a current IWC at 90 percent off.
Buying online: questions to ask the seller
Ask the same questions every time, and keep the answers in writing.
- What is the full reference and serial number? Verify both with the brand before you pay.
- Can you send photos of the actual caseback and movement? Stock images are not proof of anything.
- Do you have the original receipt, service records, or an appraisal?
- Which payment methods do you accept? Wire transfers and gift cards leave you with no way to recover funds.
- What is the return window, and does it cover the cost of return shipping?
If the seller avoids one question or answers a different one, walk away. Honest sellers expect these checks.
What to do if you bought a counterfeit IW93806
Contact the seller and your payment provider in writing inside the return window. Save the listing, the photos, and every message. They are your evidence if the seller refuses a refund.
Importing counterfeit goods into the United States is illegal, and the seller may have committed fraud. Report the listing to the platform, and for cross-border shipments file a report with U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
Frequently asked questions
Is IW93806 a real IWC reference number?
Check IWC's own catalog. A number that does not appear there is not a genuine IWC reference, no matter what the listing claims. If the number exists but the photos do not match the official model, the watch is a copy.
Do counterfeit watches hold value?
No. Copies sell for a fraction of their purchase price, and most resale platforms refuse to list them. A genuine watch from a major brand keeps far more of its value over the years.
Can a jeweler tell a fake from the real thing?
Yes, in most cases. A watchmaker with a loupe and a timegrapher can spot a wrong beat rate, a plated case, and incorrect engraving in minutes. Ask for that inspection before you buy, not after.
Are high-end copies hard to detect?
Good copies look close in photos, but they still use third-party movements and cheaper finishing. The dial will not give them away. The movement will.
Should I buy a replica instead of a genuine watch?
That is your call, and the trade-offs are clear. A replica costs less up front, holds no resale value, and cannot be serviced by the brand. A genuine watch costs more and keeps a documented history.