What IW328075 Refers To
IWC stamps reference numbers in the format IW plus six digits. The first four digits name the case family. The final two digits name the dial, finish, or strap variant inside that family. So IW328075 sits in the 3280 case block, variant 75.
IWC's public catalog does not list IW328075 in the 3280 block as of this writing. That is a fact worth acting on. Ask the seller which watch the reference copies: model name, case diameter, caliber, and production year. A seller who cannot answer is selling a number, not a watch.
Sizes and Specs to Compare
Counterfeit IWC watches live or die on three numbers: diameter, thickness, and lug width. Measure the watch with a caliper, then compare against the genuine spec sheet.
- Case diameter: measure across the case at 3 and 9 o'clock, crown excluded.
- Case thickness: measure from caseback to the highest point of the crystal.
- Lug width: measure between the lugs at the spring bar.
- Weight: a steel case on a steel bracelet lands in a narrow range. A light watch means a hollow case or an aluminum core.
A 1 mm error in diameter is visible on the wrist. A 0.5 mm error in thickness is not, until the watch sits beside a genuine piece.
Movement
Genuine IWC automatic watches in 40 mm cases use in-house calibers, most often the 32111 with a 120 hour power reserve. Copies use one of three things: an ETA or Sellita clone, a Seagull or Miyota movement with a decorated rotor, or a Chinese-made automatic built to look in-house.
Check the power reserve. Wind the watch until the mainspring is tight, set it down, and note when it stops. A 40 hour stop means the movement is not what the listing claims. Check the beat rate too. 28,800 vibrations per hour is the standard. A 21,600 vph movement shows a slower sweep of the second hand.
Dial, Crystal, and Case Details
- Printing: IWC uses sharp, raised indexes. Flat or soft printing is a copy tell.
- Date wheel: the font must match the dial printing. Oversized numerals show up on copies.
- Crystal: anti-reflective coating on both faces gives near invisible glass. Single-side coating shows a blue or purple tint at an angle.
- Crown: engraved logo, crisp teeth, no wobble when screwed down.
- Caseback: engraving depth and font weight. Lasered text looks flat and pale next to stamped text.
Price and Legal Reality
Copies of IWC models sell from about $80 to $600 depending on movement and finish. Above $600 you pay for a box and a story, not a better watch. Selling counterfeit watches is illegal in the United States under 18 U.S.C. 2320. Imports get seized by U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
If you want an IWC look at a legal price, buy a used genuine IWC or a microbrand with a similar case profile. The specification sheet matters more than the logo on the dial.