A fake Portofino Midsize 39 is a counterfeit copy of IWC's midsize Portofino Automatic, and it usually gives itself away on three checks: case thickness, crystal material, and movement beat rate. The genuine midsize Portofino runs a roughly 37 mm case with a 28,800 vph automatic calibre, while most copies sit thicker on the wrist, use mineral glass, and tick at 21,600 vph. The "39" in the listing title is itself a warning sign, because the midsize reference being copied is not a 39 mm watch.
This guide covers the identification checks and the safer route to owning the real piece. It does not endorse buying or selling counterfeit watches, which is illegal in the United States.
What is the fastest way to spot a fake Portofino Midsize 39?
Measure the case and look through the crystal before anything else. Copies tend to add 1 to 2 mm of thickness to house a generic movement, which throws off the proportions of the lugs and the caseback curve.
- Case thickness: a genuine midsize Portofino sits slim and flat; copies feel slab-sided.
- Crystal: genuine sapphire stays clear and sheds reflections; copies use mineral glass that scratches and shows a purple or blue haze.
- Dial: look for misaligned applied indices, fuzzy brand printing, and a date window that sits off-center under a magnifier.
How do you check whether the movement is genuine?
Time the seconds hand against a reference or use a timegrapher app. IWC's automatic calibre in this case family beats at 28,800 vibrations per hour, and cheap clones almost always run at 21,600.
Listen and feel as well. A genuine rotor winds with a smooth, damped sweep, while counterfeit rotors rattle, spin freely, and often carry shallow or misspelled engraving on the oscillating weight.
Which caseback and paperwork details expose a copy?
Caseback engraving on a genuine watch is deep, crisp, and consistent in font weight. Copies show shallow laser etching, a reference number that does not match the case, or a serial that repeats across listings.
Papers matter just as much. A real set includes a warranty card with a matching serial, a correctly printed booklet, and packaging that fits without gaps. Sellers who ship a counterfeit usually offer a generic box, no card, or a card with a handwritten serial that fails verification with IWC.
Why is a counterfeit Portofino a poor purchase?
Counterfeit goods are illegal to sell in the United States, and shipments can be seized by customs. Owners also get no manufacturer warranty, no authorized service, and no meaningful resale value.
Parts are another problem. A clone movement cannot be serviced by IWC, and independent watchmakers often decline the work because gaskets, crystals, and hands do not match any catalogued reference.
How do you buy an authentic IWC Portofino Midsize safely?
Buy from an authorized dealer, an IWC boutique, or a pre-owned seller who provides the full set and a return window. Ask for the reference number, the serial, and clear macro photos of the dial, caseback, and crown.
Price is a filter. If an offer sits far below the normal pre-owned range for the reference, assume the watch is counterfeit until a watchmaker with IWC experience confirms otherwise.