Quick answer
A watch sold as an IWC IW93806 is almost always a counterfeit, because that reference does not appear in IWC's own line. Before you spend time on details, look the number up in the brand catalogue or ask an authorized dealer to confirm it. If a reference does not exist, the watch is fake no matter how good the photos look. If the number does check out on a genuine example, then move to the physical checks: caseback engraving, dial printing, crown and case construction, and the movement visible through the display back.
Prerequisites
- A 10x jeweler's loupe
- Calipers and a small digital scale
- A bright, angled light source
- Access to a confirmed genuine example or high-resolution dealer photos
- A watchmaker willing to open the caseback
Step-by-step authentication
- Search the reference IW93806 in IWC's official catalogue or ask an authorized dealer whether the brand ever produced it.
- Write down the case number and movement number engraved on the caseback and compare them against the numbers on any papers or warranty card.
- Photograph the caseback engraving under raking light and compare the letterforms, spacing, and depth with a confirmed genuine example.
- Inspect the dial with the loupe and check the brand text, the index edges, and the date wheel alignment.
- Examine the crown and pushers for clean threading, correct engraving, and a properly seated gasket.
- Look through the display back at the rotor engraving, perlage, screw finishing, and jewel count, then compare each against the published specification.
- Measure the case diameter, lug width, and thickness with calipers and weigh the watch against the documented figures.
- Ask the seller for service records and original packaging, then have a watchmaker open the case to confirm the movement caliber.
Common red flags
- A price far below the current market for that model
- A seller who refuses to let a watchmaker open the case
- Case and movement numbers that do not match the paperwork
- Dial text in the wrong typeface or with uneven spacing
- Rotor that rattles or spins with a loose, hollow sound
- Missing anti-reflective coating on the crystal
If you already bought it
Stop wearing the watch and keep every message, listing, and payment receipt. Take it to an independent watchmaker for a written assessment of the movement and case. That document supports a refund claim with the payment provider or a marketplace dispute. If the seller advertised it as genuine and it is not, you may also report the listing to the platform and to the brand's anti-counterfeiting office.