A fake IW329024 v2 is the second revision of the replica IWC Pilot's Watch Automatic 36, built after buyers complained about the date font, case thickness, and movement in the first batch. The v2 tag comes from the workshop that made the watch, not from IWC, and it points to one production run rather than a single model. A good v2 lands closer to the 36 mm genuine pilot's watch than a first version at the same price.
Version numbers matter because several workshops copy the same reference with different levels of skill. Two sellers can both list a v2 and ship watches that share almost no parts.
What Does v2 Mean on a Replica IW329024?
Replica makers work in batches. They build a first run, watch the feedback in buyer groups and forums, then correct the loudest complaints in a second run.
A v2 label tells you the watch came from that later batch with the fixes applied. It does not promise a specific factory, a specific movement, or a specific level of finish.
- v1: first batch, often with a thicker case, the wrong date font, and a low-grade movement.
- v2: corrected dial print, slimmer profile, better crystal coating, upgraded movement.
- v3 and later: small changes that are not always improvements.
Specs to Check on a Fake IW329024 v2
The genuine watch is a compact steel pilot's model with a matte black dial, white markings, and a date at 3 o'clock. A v2 build should match those proportions first and the tiny details second.
- Case: 36 mm stainless steel, brushed sides with polished bevels. Check the lug width, the crown size, and the step between the bezel and the mid-case.
- Crystal: sapphire with an inner anti-reflective coating. A blue or purple glare from the outside is a common flaw on cheap builds.
- Dial: matte black with white numerals and hands. Print weight and the shade of the white should hold up next to the genuine dial in daylight.
- Date: window cut at 3 o'clock, correct font, black background with white numerals. A crooked or off-center date wheel is the first thing a collector spots.
- Movement: Sellita SW200-1, Miyota 9015, or a decorated clone, all beating at 28,800 vibrations per hour. Ask which one sits inside before you pay.
- Strap or bracelet: leather with a signed buckle, or a steel bracelet with solid links and a working micro-adjust clasp.
v1 vs v2: the Fixes Buyers Talk About
Most of the gap between the two versions shows up after a week on the wrist, not in the first photo.
- Case thickness drops closer to the genuine profile, so the watch sits flatter under a cuff.
- Date wheel font and alignment get corrected.
- Dial print gets sharper, with cleaner edges on the numerals.
- Crown action and winding feel improve with a better movement.
- Crystal coating moves to the inside of the glass, where it cannot wear off.
- Caseback engraving gets deeper and better spaced.
How Do You Judge a Fake IW329024 v2 Before Buying?
Ask for photos that show the flaws
Request a straight-on dial shot, a side profile, and a close-up of the date window. Sellers who post only angled glamour shots are hiding something. A short video of the second hand confirms the movement beats at 4 Hz instead of the choppy 6 Hz of a cheap quartz or low-beat clone.
Check the movement, not the marketing copy
A Sellita or Miyota movement is worth the extra money. Chinese clones cost less and often run fine, but parts and service are harder to find.
Confirm what ships in the box
Box, papers, and spare links do not make the watch better. A seller who lists those details tends to ship what was described.
What Does a Fake IW329024 v2 Cost?
Price tracks the movement and the bracelet more than the version number.
- Entry builds: about $120 to $200, mineral glass, clone movement, thin plating.
- Mid-tier v2: about $250 to $400, sapphire crystal, Sellita or Miyota, steel bracelet on request.
- Top builds: $450 and up, best dial work and the closest case finishing.
Anything far below those ranges is a different watch with a v2 label pasted on. Compare movement names before you compare prices.
Common Questions About the IW329024 v2 Replica
Is v2 worth the extra money over v1?
Yes, when the price gap is small. The case profile and the date font are the two things people notice first, and v1 gets both wrong.
Will a replica bracelet take a genuine strap?
Often, but not always. Lug width and spring bar holes vary between batches, so measure before you order a strap.
Can I swim with it?
Treat any replica as splash-resistant at best unless the seller pressure-tested it. Case gaskets on replicas are not held to the same standard as the genuine watch.
Does it use the same movement as the real watch?
No. IWC fits a Swiss automatic finished in its own workshop, and no replica ships with one. A v2 uses a third-party automatic that looks similar through the caseback and keeps time to within a few seconds a day.
Legality and Resale
Replica watches are counterfeits. Importing or reselling them can lead to seizure and legal trouble in the US and the EU, and customs officers do open packages. Resale value is close to zero, so buy one as a fun watch, not as an asset.