The fake IW329117 v7 is the seventh iteration of the V7 Factory replica of the IWC Portugieser Automatic 42, a 42.3 mm steel watch with a domed sapphire crystal and a display back. It is the most convincing version of this reference released so far: dial printing is sharper, the date font is corrected and the caseback engraving sits deeper than on v5 or v6. Expect it to read correctly across a table, and expect the movement to give itself away under a loupe or a timing machine.
Which IWC model does IW329117 refer to?
IW329117 sits inside the Portugieser Automatic 42 family, the modern reissue of the 1939 Portuguese pocket-watch design. The reference uses a 42.3 mm case, a domed antireflective sapphire crystal and the Pellaton-wound 52010 calibre with twin barrels and a seven-day power reserve. It is a mainstream steel reference rather than a boutique-only piece, which is exactly why replica factories tooled it.
What changed on the v7 build?
Version 7 is an incremental correction rather than a new mould, and every change targets the details buyers check first.
- Dial: thinner lacquer, crisper minute track and applied numerals with a brighter polish.
- Date: corrected font weight and better alignment inside the aperture.
- Case: slightly slimmer mid-case and softer lug bevels that follow the genuine profile.
- Caseback: deeper engraving and a sapphire window with cleaner edge polishing.
- Movement: revised rotor decoration and a quieter winding action.
How close is it to the genuine Portugieser Automatic 42?
Case and finish
From arm's length the v7 is convincing. Brushed flanks, polished bezel and lug tops follow the genuine pattern, and the crown sits flush at three o'clock. Under a loupe the brushing is a touch coarser and the transition between brushed and polished surfaces is less crisp than on the real watch.
Dial and crystal
The dial is the strongest part of the build, with clean printing and well-finished numerals. Antireflective coating is present but single-sided, so the crystal picks up more reflection than the genuine double-coated sapphire. Lume is applied neatly but fades sooner.
Movement
The display back shows a decorated automatic that copies the 52010 layout, including the Pellaton-style bridge shape and the gold-tone engraving. It replicates the look, not the mechanism: real-world power reserve lands near 40 hours rather than seven days, and the finishing is stamped rather than hand-bevelled. Timekeeping typically holds within 15 seconds a day once regulated.
Strap and buckle
Most v7 examples ship on a decent alligator-grain leather strap with a signed pin buckle. The leather is thinner than the genuine article and the buckle engraving is softer, so this is the first part most owners upgrade.
What should you check when the watch arrives?
- Wind it 30 turns and listen for rotor rattle when you tilt the case.
- Set the date through a full cycle and confirm it snaps and centres in the window.
- Inspect dial printing and numeral edges with a 10x loupe.
- Screw the crown down fully and feel for cross-threading.
- Time it for 24 hours against a reference to confirm the rate.
- Check strap stitching, buckle engraving and spring bar fit.
What does a fake IW329117 v7 cost?
Pricing usually falls between about $350 and $550 depending on the seller, the strap option and the movement fitted. Listings that promise a Swiss movement or genuine IWC parts for a premium are almost always upselling the same base watch. Buy from a seller who shows real photos of the actual unit and offers a return window.
Known weak points
Water resistance is rated for splashes only, so keep the watch away from showers, pools and salt water. The crown gasket and caseback seal are the first components to fail, and the movement has no shock protection worth trusting during sport. Magnetic fields from laptops and speakers pull the rate off long before daily wear does.
Frequently asked questions
Is the v7 worth the extra over a v6?
Yes, for the dial and date wheel alone, since those are the two details people notice at conversation distance. If budget is tight, a clean v6 with a good dial is still a reasonable buy.
Will a watchmaker know it is a replica?
Instantly, once the caseback comes off. Movement architecture, engraving depth and finishing tell the story within seconds, and any competent watchmaker spots the differences in the balance and rotor assembly.
Does it take genuine IWC straps?
Lug spacing matches the genuine case, so aftermarket and OEM-style straps fit without modification. Reuse the original spring bars if a new strap feels loose.