What does "fake IW3717" mean?
A fake IW3717 is a counterfeit of the IWC Pilot's Watch Chronograph reference 3717, a 42mm steel chronograph that IWC built from about 2006 to 2012. The fastest tell is the movement and the date window: a genuine 3717 runs the IWC calibre 79320, a reworked Valjoux 7750, and shows a day and date at 3 o'clock. Most fakes hide a basic 7750 clone, a quartz module, or a decorated rotor sitting on an unrelated engine.
Buyers who search for a "fake IW3717" often want one of two things: proof that a watch they own is counterfeit, or a clear picture of what a replica gets right and wrong. This guide covers both.
Which IWC model is the IW3717?
IW3717 is the IWC Pilot's Watch Chronograph of 2006 to 2012. It belongs to the classic Fliegerchronograph line, not the Portugieser family, even though IWC uses 371x numbers for both.
- Case: 42mm stainless steel, about 14.5mm thick, with a soft-iron inner cage for magnetic protection
- Movement: IWC calibre 79320, base ETA/Valjoux 7750, 25 jewels, 28,800 vph, about 44 hours of power reserve
- Dial: black with printed Arabic numerals and lume, subdials at 12, 6, and 9, day-date at 3
- Crown: screw-down, flanked by two screw-down chronograph pushers
- Crystal: domed sapphire with anti-reflective coating on both faces
- Water resistance: 60 meters (6 bar)
Reference numbers in the family include IW371701 and IW371704, which differ by dial color, strap, or bracelet. A "3717" stamp alone tells you little, since the reference sits on the caseback next to a serial number.
How do you spot a fake IW3717?
Work through the case, the dial, the movement, and the caseback in that order. Fakes fall apart on at least two of the four.
Case and finish
A real 3717 measures 42mm across the case, not including the crown, and the lugs curve down toward the wrist with a soft, even bevel. Cheap fakes run large or small by a millimeter or more, and their lug edges feel sharp against a fingertip.
Weight is a useful check. The genuine steel case on a leather strap lands near 90 to 100 grams, so a watch that feels hollow or light for its size is a bad sign.
Dial, hands, and printing
The numerals on a 3717 are printed on the dial and filled with lume. Raised metal numerals, fuzzy edges, or lume that dies in minutes point to a fake.
Subdial function matters more than looks. The 30-minute counter sits at 12, the 12-hour totalizer at 6, and running seconds at 9. On many fakes the 12-hour subdial is decorative and never moves.
Movement
Ask for a photo of the movement with the caseback off, or at least a clear shot of the rotor. Genuine 79320 movements carry IWC engraving on the rotor, jeweled pivots, and finishing on the plates.
Watch the chronograph start. A 7750-based movement shows a small jump of the seconds hand when the chrono engages, then sweeps at 8 beats per second. A quartz fake ticks once per second and stops dead.
Caseback and markings
The 3717 has a solid steel caseback. Engraving should be crisp and deep, with the IWC logo, the reference, and a serial that matches IWC records.
Fakes often laser-etch shallow text, use the wrong font, or print a reference that belongs to another model. A sapphire display back on a claimed 3717 is an instant red flag, because the real watch has none.
What are the tiers of fake IW3717 watches?
Replica quality spans a wide range, and the price tracks the movement and the case work.
- Budget fakes (under about $150): quartz or low-grade automatic, printed dial, plated case, wrong dimensions.
- Mid-tier replicas ($200 to $400): Asian 7750 clone, working subdials, decent case shape, soft or uneven finishing.
- High-end replicas ($500 and up): near-correct dimensions, a smoother 7750 clone, sapphire crystal with AR coating, and lume that lasts.
Price is not proof of quality in either direction. Judge the watch on the movement, the dial printing, and the case weight.
Does a fake IW3717 use a real Valjoux 7750?
Some do, but most use an Asian clone of the 7750. The clone keeps the same 28,800 vph beat rate and the same subdial layout, so it can fool a casual look.
Differences show up in the finishing, the rotor engraving, and the service history. A genuine 79320 can be serviced by any watchmaker who works on 7750 movements, while clones often lack spare parts.
What does a real 3717 cost next to a fake?
Used 3717s trade in the four-figure range on the secondary market, and a full set with box and papers sits at the top of that band. Replicas sell for a fraction of that.
That gap is the point of the counterfeit trade, and it is also why a fake turns up in so many "is this real?" posts.
Checklist before you buy an IW3717, real or replica
- Measure the case: 42mm across, crown excluded
- Start the chronograph and confirm all three subdials work
- Check that the day and date change at midnight, not at noon
- Confirm the crystal has an anti-reflective coating on both faces
- Inspect the caseback engraving for depth and correct font
- Weigh the watch and compare against the 90 to 100 gram range
- Test the crown and pushers for smooth threading
FAQ
Is the IW3717 discontinued?
Yes. IWC replaced the 3717 around 2012, when the Pilot's Watch Chronograph moved to the 3777 reference. Any watch sold as new old stock from an official dealer deserves extra questions.
Is the IW3717 the same as the Portugieser Chronograph?
No. The Portugieser Chronograph uses 3714 and 3716 references, while 3717 belongs to the Pilot's Watch line. The two families share a number range but nothing else.
Can a watchmaker tell a fake IW3717 from a photo?
Sometimes, if the photo shows the dial, the caseback, and the movement. A hands-on inspection with the caseback removed gives a firm answer.
Does the 3717 have a display caseback?
No. Every 3717 left the factory with a solid steel back, so a see-through back means the watch is not original.