The replica IW371717 is a copy of the IWC Portugieser Chronograph Classic, a 42 mm steel chronograph with a two-subdial layout. Strong replica versions match the case diameter, dial printing, and strap fit. Weak versions miss the subdial spacing, the crown profile, and the movement finish. Judge a copy on case dimensions, dial layout, and the movement behind the caseback before you look at anything else. In the United States, buying and importing counterfeit goods is illegal, so treat this as a reference guide to what is sold, not as legal advice.
What the IW371717 Reference Is
The IW3717 family sits in the Portugieser line. Published specs for the series list a 42 mm stainless case, roughly 14.5 mm thick, with a sapphire crystal, a flyback chronograph, and an in-house automatic calibre with about a 68 hour power reserve. The dial uses a running seconds subdial at 6 o'clock and a combined hour and minute counter at 12 o'clock. The closing digits of the reference identify a specific dial and strap pairing within that family.
What Replica Versions Get Right and Wrong
Replica quality varies more by factory batch than by model name. The details that separate a passable copy from a poor one:
- Case diameter and thickness, which change how the watch sits on the wrist
- Subdial placement, since off-center registers are the most visible error
- Crown size and position at 3 o'clock
- Dial print weight and the spacing of the text above 6 o'clock
- Strap width at the lugs, usually 20 mm on this case
- Movement type, either a decorated Asian automatic or a quartz substitute
How to Inspect a Replica IW371717 Before You Pay
- Ask the seller for the case diameter and thickness in millimeters and compare them to the published figures.
- Request one straight-on photo of the dial taken in daylight.
- Check that the two subdials sit on a vertical line through the center of the dial.
- Ask which movement is inside and whether it is automatic or quartz.
- Confirm the lug width and whether the strap is leather or synthetic.
- Read the return and refund terms before you place an order.
Legal and Shipping Reality in the US
U.S. Customs and Border Protection treats counterfeit trademarked goods as prohibited imports and can seize shipments, and the trademark holder can pursue the seller. That risk sits with the buyer and the shipper, not with the manufacturer. Where a listing claims the watch is genuine rather than a copy, that is a different and more serious problem, and you should walk away.
Common Red Flags
- Photos that never show the caseback
- Listings that promise the watch is authentic
- No stated case size anywhere on the page
- Prices far below the rest of the market for the same reference