Replica Portugieser: The Short Answer
"Portugesian" is a misspelling of Portugieser. A replica Portugieser is a copy of the IWC Portugieser, a Swiss line that started in 1939. Two Portuguese importers ordered a large wristwatch built around a pocket watch movement. IWC delivered it as Reference 325. The line returned in 1993 as the Ref. 5441 Jubilee, made for the company's 125th anniversary. Copies on sale today track the modern references, not the 1939 original.
References That Get Copied
- Ref. 3714 Chronograph. 40.9 mm case. 12.3 mm thick. Two subdials at 12 and 6. Built on a Valjoux 7750 with the chronograph module removed.
- Ref. 3716 Chronograph. Launched 2020. 41 mm case. In-house calibre 69355.
- Ref. 5007 Automatic. 42.3 mm case. Calibre 52010. Pellaton winding. Twin barrels. 7-day power reserve.
- Ref. 5034 Perpetual Calendar. 44.2 mm case. Four subdials.
Case Size Checks
Measure the case with calipers. Copies of the 3714 often measure 41.5 mm to 42 mm against a genuine 40.9 mm. Lug width is 20 mm on both. Thickness separates them further. A 7750-based copy runs 13.5 mm or more. The real watch is 12.3 mm.
Movements Inside Copies
Most copies use a Seagull ST19 hand-wound column wheel movement, or a Chinese 7750 clone. Sellers label these as Swiss ETA 7750 or Swiss made. A bare Swiss 7750 costs more than most complete replicas. Ask for a movement photo. Check the rotor engraving and the balance wheel position. No public data shows how many copies hold genuine Swiss parts. Treat those claims as unverified.
Price Ranges
Listings run from about $80 to $900. Entry copies use quartz or a basic automatic. Mid range copies use an ST19 or a 7750 clone. Top tier copies claim a Swiss movement. Prices above $1,000 are rare. A genuine Portugieser Chronograph retails near $8,000. That gap drives the market.
Legal Status in the US
Counterfeit watches are illegal to import into the United States. 19 U.S.C. Section 1526 lets Customs and Border Protection seize and destroy shipments. 18 U.S.C. Section 2320 covers trafficking. Penalties include fines and prison time. Domestic resale of counterfeit goods carries the same exposure.