Quick answer
"Fake Portugieser 45mm" describes a replica of an IWC Portugieser with a 45 mm case. IWC builds one Portugieser at that diameter: the Portugieser Grande Complication. Other Portugieser references measure 40.4 mm to 44.6 mm. A listing that says 45mm may match a Grande Complication, a Yacht Club Chronograph, or no reference at all. Check the reference number before you trust the size.
Real Portugieser case sizes
- Portugieser Automatic 40: 40.4 mm
- Portugieser Chronograph: 41 mm
- Portugieser Automatic 42: 42.3 mm
- Portugieser Perpetual Calendar: 42.4 mm
- Portugieser Annual Calendar: 44.2 mm
- Portugieser Yacht Club Chronograph: 44.6 mm
- Portugieser Grande Complication: 45 mm
Dimensions change between generations. The Chronograph family grew from reference 3714 to reference 3716. Confirm the number engraved on the caseback.
Movements used in replica 45 mm cases
Three movements appear in most replicas of this size.
- Asia 7750: a clone of the ETA 7750. 30 mm diameter, 25 jewels, 28,800 vph, 44 hour power reserve. Used in chronograph builds.
- Seagull ST19: hand wound column wheel chronograph. 21,600 vph. Used in thin cases.
- Miyota 9015: 24 jewels, 28,800 vph, 42 hour reserve. Automatic, no chronograph.
Movement thickness drives case thickness. A 45 mm Portugieser with a chronograph measures 14 mm to 16 mm at the crystal.
What to measure
Use digital calipers at the 3 and 9 o'clock points. Record four numbers: case diameter, thickness, lug width, weight in grams. A 45 mm steel case on a bracelet runs 130 g to 200 g. Case diameter quoted by sellers differs from caliper readings by 0.2 mm to 0.5 mm.
Test the crystal with a drop of water. The drop stays beaded on sapphire. It spreads on uncoated mineral glass. Anti-reflective coating changes the result.
Legal status in the US
18 U.S.C. § 2320 makes trafficking in counterfeit goods a federal crime. A first offense carries up to 10 years in prison and a fine. Civil claims under 15 U.S.C. § 1117 allow statutory damages up to $2,000,000 per counterfeit mark per type of goods when the use is willful. CBP officers may seize and forfeit imported goods that carry a counterfeit mark under 19 U.S.C. § 1526. A single item in personal baggage can be seized if the mark is counterfeit.
Unknowns
Sellers use grade labels such as AAA or 1:1 with no shared definition. Factory names change. No public body tests replica accuracy. Treat a stated diameter as unverified until calipers confirm it.