The replica IW371747 is a copy of the IWC Portugieser Chronograph, a 41 mm steel chronograph with two stacked subdials and a date window at 3. A strong copy matches the case profile, the dial spacing, and the pusher feel of the original. A weak one gets the subdial positions wrong, prints the text too heavy, or fits a movement that grinds when you start the chronograph.
What the Original IW371747 Is
The IW3717 generation of the Portugieser Chronograph followed the older IW3714 line and moved to an in-house automatic chronograph movement. The look stayed familiar: a slim round case, a wide open dial, thin leaf style hands, applied numerals, and a two register layout that makes the Portugieser easy to spot across a room.
Those are the traits any replica has to reproduce. The case is the first test, because the Portugieser is a dress chronograph and a copy that is 2 mm too thick reads as a different watch on the wrist.
Specs to Compare Side by Side
- Case: about 41 mm across, roughly 13 mm thick, brushed flanks with a polished bezel
- Dial: two subdials, one for chronograph minutes and one for running seconds, plus a date at 3
- Crystal: sapphire, usually with anti-reflective coating on the inside
- Movement: automatic chronograph beating at roughly 4 Hz
- Water resistance: modest on the original, so treat any version as splash resistant only
- Strap: leather or alligator on a pin buckle or deployant clasp
Ask the seller for these numbers before you buy. A replica IW371747 listing that gives no case diameter or thickness is usually hiding a bulky case.
Movement Choices in Replicas
Most copies run one of three movements, and each changes how the watch wears.
- Asian 7750 automatic: gives you a real chronograph with a sweeping seconds hand, but adds thickness and can feel firm at the pushers.
- Slim automatic with a chronograph module: closer to the original case height, though the pusher action is softer.
- Quartz: keeps the case thin and the subdial positions neat, but the seconds hand ticks and the weight is wrong.
If you want the closest feel to the original, choose the automatic. If you want the closest silhouette under a shirt cuff, the slim option is the safer pick.
Dial and Finishing Details That Give a Copy Away
- Subdials placed too close to the center, which crowds the date window
- Numerals printed rather than applied, so they sit flat with no edge
- Hands slightly short of the minute track or with blunt tips
- Crystal without anti-reflective coating, which throws a milky glare in photos
- Caseback engraving that is shallow and soft at the edges
- Pushers that sit proud of the case instead of sitting flush with the crown
Compare any product photo against a reference image of the genuine watch at the same angle. Layout mistakes show up fast that way, and you do not need a loupe to see them.
Case, Crown and Strap Checks
Run a thumb along the case flank. A good copy is smooth where the brushed surface meets the polished bevel, with no ridge you can catch a nail on. The crown should turn without grit, and both pushers should return with a clean click.
On the strap, look at the stitching line. Even spacing and a consistent thread color matter more than the material name in the listing. If the strap is thin and stiff, budget for a replacement, since a good leather strap changes how the whole watch reads.
Buying Checklist
- Confirm case diameter and thickness against the original figures.
- Ask which movement is inside and whether the chronograph is functional.
- Request real photos, not catalog renders, including a shot of the caseback.
- Check that the date changes cleanly at midnight, not partway through the day.
- Confirm the clasp type and strap size before shipping.
FAQ
Can I wear a replica IW371747 daily?
Yes, with reasonable care. Keep it away from swimming and showers, since the original is only rated for light splash contact and a copy is no better sealed.
Which movement should I choose?
Pick the automatic if you want a working chronograph and a sweeping hand. Pick a slim or quartz version if thinness matters more than pusher feel.
How close is a good copy to the original?
From arm's length, a well finished replica IW371747 reads much like the genuine watch. Up close, the movement finishing, the crystal coating, and the engraving depth are where the differences show.