What is the fake IW329071 v2?
The fake IW329071 v2 is the second-generation replica of the IWC Pilot's Watch Automatic 41, reference IW329071. "V2" is factory and forum naming, not an IWC label: it marks a revised build that fixes the flaws buyers flagged on the first run, mainly case thickness, dial print, and the date wheel font.
A v2 sells for a few hundred dollars, against around $5,000 for the genuine steel model on a leather strap. It is a counterfeit watch, so buying or importing one carries legal and customs risk.
Fake IW329071 v2 specs at a glance
The lines below describe a typical v2 build. Factories swap parts between batches, so treat each one as a check to run, not a promise.
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- Case: 41mm stainless steel, about 11mm thick on a good v2. Early v1 runs sat near 13mm.
- Dial: matte black, white printed numerals, date window at 3 o'clock.
- Crystal: sapphire with anti-reflective coating on both faces.
- Movement: Miyota 9015, Seagull ST2130, or a decorated Asian 2892 clone.
- Strap: 20mm lugs, leather with a steel pin buckle.
- Weight: around 80g on leather, which lands close to the original.
What changed from v1 to v2
Version 2 answers three complaints that appeared in almost every early review: a fat case, flat dial print, and a date font that looked nothing like IWC's.
- Case profile. The mid-case was slimmed to match the genuine thickness, and the lugs picked up a small bevel.
- Dial. Numerals match the spacing of the original print, and the lume sits even across every marker.
- Date wheel. The font is thinner and closer to IWC's own, though the 1 and the 7 still look wrong under a loupe.
- Hands. A proper 3D sword hand set replaced the flat stamped set from v1.
How to check a v2 before you pay
Ask for photos with a caliper or ruler next to the case. A seller who refuses to send measurements is a seller to skip.
- Thickness at the crystal: 11mm or under.
- Date alignment: the number should center in the window on every date, not just the 15th.
- Crown action: smooth winding, no grit, crown flush against the case tube.
- Finishing: brushed top surfaces, polished flanks, no visible machining marks.
- Lume: charge it under a light and compare brightness across all markers.
Movements used in the v2
Most v2 batches ship with a Miyota 9015, a Japanese automatic with a 28,800 vph beat rate and about 42 hours of reserve. The giveaways are a noisier rotor and a date change that snaps at midnight.
Other sellers use a decorated Asian 2892 clone or a Seagull ST2130. Movement choice moves the price by $50 to $150 and changes little else. None of these is an IWC calibre, so no manufacturer warranty applies.
How the v2 compares with the real IW329071
Genuine IWC Pilot's watches use a soft-iron inner case for magnetic protection. Replicas leave that part out, which is why a v2 can feel lighter in the hand even when the outside matches.
The real watch also runs an IWC automatic with a longer power reserve than any replica option. Expect to reset a v2 after a weekend off the wrist.
What a fake IW329071 v2 costs
Expect $280 to $450 from a known factory through a trusted dealer, and $120 to $200 for the same listing on a marketplace site. Cheap listings usually mean a v1 or a quartz build dressed up as a v2.
Add shipping and the risk of seizure. Customs agencies in the US and the EU destroy counterfeit watches, and the buyer loses both the watch and the money.
What the v2 still gets wrong
Case finishing is the biggest gap. IWC finishes bezel and lug tops by hand, and a replica leaves light tool marks that show under raking light.
The movement is the second gap. A Miyota beats at 28,800 vph like the original, but the winding feel, rotor noise, and power reserve behavior differ.
The strap is the third. Real leather and stitching cost more than the whole replica, and the difference shows after a week of wear.
Frequently asked questions
Is the fake IW329071 v2 water resistant?
It may survive splashes, but do not swim or shower with it. Factories do not pressure-test replica cases, and gasket quality varies between batches.
Will a genuine IWC strap fit the v2?
If the v2 uses a true 20mm lug width and the correct spring bar position, yes. Measure first, because some batches drill the lugs a fraction off.
How do I tell a v2 from a v1?
Measure the thickness and check the date font. A v1 runs near 13mm and uses a wider, bolder date wheel. Ask for a photo of the watch on a caliper.
Do different factories make a v2?
Yes. V2 is a version label, not a brand, so two sellers can offer different v2 builds with different movements and dial suppliers. Compare photos side by side before you commit.
Before you buy a fake IW329071 v2
Replica watches are counterfeits. US law and most national laws ban their import and sale, so check your local rules first.
If you go ahead, buy from a dealer with recent photo reviews, pay with a method that allows a dispute, and inspect the watch inside the return window. That covers the practical side of judging any fake IW329071 v2.