The best pick for anyone searching "fake IW545104" is a hand-wound Portuguese-style replica with a large thin-bezel case (the reference sits in the 44 mm class), applied numerals, and a decorated manual movement visible through a display back. Judge every listing against four checks: case proportion, dial printing, crown and hands, then movement finish. A copy that fails two of those checks is not worth the money, no matter what the title claims.

What IW545104 actually refers to

IW545104 belongs to the IWC Portuguese Hand-Wound family, a line built around a pocket-watch-derived manual caliber, a wide case, and a clean, uncluttered dial. Reference strings get retyped in forum threads and marketplace titles, so open the maker's own reference page first and match dial color, case metal, strap, and movement type before you compare anything else. That step matters because "fake IW545104" does not describe a single object. It covers everything sold under that reference that does not match the real specification, from a crude quartz knockoff to a carefully assembled replica.

One hard rule follows from the name. A Portuguese Hand-Wound is manual wind, so a rotor spinning behind the caseback is a mismatch on its own. On the genuine watch you see bridges, jewels, and engraving, not an automatic winding weight.

Red flags on a low-grade fake

  • Case diameter or thickness that is visibly off, usually too thick through the midcase.
  • Numerals printed flat when the genuine dial uses applied markers.
  • Sub-seconds hand in the wrong position, or a small seconds track that crowds the numerals.
  • Heavy or uneven "IWC" and "SCHAFFHAUSEN" printing with thick serifs and uneven spacing.
  • Shallow caseback engraving, fuzzy reference numbers, wrong metal stamp.
  • Folded end links or a stamped clasp instead of a solid, signed one.
  • A movement with no perlage, no blued screws, and a bare rotor in a watch that should be hand-wound.
  • Box, papers, or hang tags that list a different reference than the watch in the photos.

Option 1: Budget quartz copy

Pros

  • Lowest cost and easy to replace.
  • Keeps time without winding.

Cons

  • Ticking small seconds hand instead of a smooth sweep.
  • Wrong case thickness, thin plating, and no movement worth showing.

Use case: costume and prop work only. Skip it if anyone at arm's length will inspect the dial or the caseback.

Option 2: Mid-tier automatic copy

Pros

  • Sweeping seconds and better dial printing.
  • Sapphire crystal and a solid bracelet or decent leather strap at this tier.

Cons

  • Automatic movement where a hand-wound caliber belongs, visible through the back.
  • Thicker midcase, softer date placement, weak engraving.

Use case: daily wear for someone who wants the Portuguese look and does not care that the movement type differs from the original.

Option 3: High-end hand-wound copy

Pros

  • Correct hand-wound architecture with decorated bridges and blued screws.
  • Closer case profile, sharper applied numerals, cleaner printing.

Cons

  • Higher price and longer build or shipping time.
  • Still a replica, and service support is limited compared with a mainstream watch.

Use case: buyers who compare specs side by side and want the closest visual match to the reference, including what shows through the caseback.

Criteria that decide the purchase

Dial first. Print weight, marker height, and seconds subdial placement carry more visual weight than any other detail. Case second: measure the diameter, check lug shape, and look at the bezel from the side. Movement third: ask for a video of the winding action and the balance in motion rather than a still photo. Seller fourth: request dated QC images on a plain background, confirm the return window in writing, and pay through a method that can be disputed.

Recommendation by use case

Collectors who want a display-back showcase should go with the hand-wound tier. Everyday wearers get better value from the mid-tier automatic. Anyone hunting a reference match for a specific dial variant should verify the real specification on the maker's page before paying, and should treat any listing that refuses a movement video as a pass. No replica equals the genuine watch, and import rules for counterfeits vary by country, so check local law before ordering.