The fastest way to spot a fake IW371747 is to check the caseback engraving, the day-date alignment at 3 o'clock, and the beat of the movement inside. A genuine IWC Pilot's Watch Chronograph in the IW3717 family has deep laser engraving of the reference and serial numbers, a perfectly centered day-date, and the smooth 28,800 vph sweep of IWC caliber 79320. Most replicas fail at least two of those three checks within a minute of handling.
Why is the IW371747 faked so often?
The IW3717 Pilot's chronograph has been one of IWC's most recognizable steel watches since 2006, which makes it a steady target for replica factories. Its 42 mm case, black dial, and simple three-register layout are cheap to copy on the outside and expensive to copy underneath.
Genuine examples sold in large numbers, so secondhand listings are everywhere. That volume gives counterfeiters cover, because a fake can hide among hundreds of real watches.
What are the clearest signs of a fake IW371747?
Dial and hands
- Printing: on a real dial, "IWC" and "SCHAFFHAUSEN" are razor sharp with no ink bleed, while replicas show rounded, slightly heavy type.
- Subdial layout: a 30-minute counter at 12, a 12-hour counter at 6, and running seconds at 9. Fakes often swap the 12 and 6 counters or place them at the wrong radius.
- Lume: genuine plots are flat and evenly filled. Replica lume typically sits proud of the dial and often glows too bright or too blue.
- Hands: the sword hands should have polished bevels with a matte lume fill, not flat stamped metal with rough edges.
Case, crown, and pushers
Genuine pushers have a firm, short throw and a crisp reset click. Replica chronographs often feel mushy, and the start pusher can grind or stick.
Look at the caseback between the lugs. The reference and serial numbers should be cut into the steel with real depth you can catch with a fingernail, not etched or stamped on the surface.
Crystal and anti-reflective coating
IWC fits a domed sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating on both faces. On the real watch, the dial stays readable at steep angles and the coating gives a faint blue tint rather than a heavy purple mirror.
Movement
With the caseback open, you want IWC caliber 79320: 25 jewels, 28,800 vph, a 44-hour power reserve, and a rotor carrying the IWC medallion. Replicas usually run an Asian 7750 clone with stamped rather than engraved markings and visible machining marks.
How much does a fake IW371747 sell for?
Replica IW3717 chronographs generally sell between $250 and $900 depending on the factory and the movement inside. A genuine pre-owned IW3717 in steel usually trades in the low-to-mid four-figure USD range, with limited editions and full sets at the top of that band.
How do you verify an IW371747 before you buy?
- Ask the seller for the reference and serial number, then confirm the reference matches the dial configuration.
- Request macro photos of the caseback engraving, the dial printing, and the movement.
- Have a watchmaker open the case and confirm the caliber, the rotor engraving, and the case number inside the back.
- Send the watch to IWC service for an estimate. A genuine watch returns a real service quote.
- Buy from a seller who offers a return window and pay with a protected method.
Frequently asked questions
Is a fake IW371747 worth buying?
No. A replica carries no manufacturer warranty, no IWC service support, and almost no resale value. Once the clone movement fails, most watchmakers will not touch it.
Do all fake IW371747 watches use the same movement?
No. The cheapest use a low-grade 7750 clone, while better replicas use a decorated Asian 7750 with a copied rotor. Neither matches the finishing or timekeeping of IWC caliber 79320.
Can a watchmaker tell a fake IW371747 instantly?
Usually yes. The engraving, dial print, and case finish give it away in seconds, and the movement confirms it in under a minute.
If any one check comes back wrong, walk away. On an IW371747, a single mismatch in the engraving or the movement is enough to call the watch a replica.