The replica IW371673 copies the IWC Portugieser Chronograph: a 41 mm steel case, a clean dial with two subdials, and a column-wheel automatic chronograph inside. The best copies match the original's case size, sapphire crystal, and the 12 and 6 o'clock subdial layout. Cheap versions get the dial spacing wrong, use mineral glass, and hide a rough movement behind an engraved caseback.
What the IW371673 Is
Reference IW371673 belongs to IWC's Portugieser Chronograph family. That line runs on one blueprint: a round 41 mm case, thin curved lugs, a domed sapphire crystal, and a dial with a 30-minute counter at 12 and running seconds at 6. IWC has issued this design in steel and gold, with dials that range from silver-plated to blue, black, and green.
Modern production uses the IWC calibre 69355, an in-house automatic with a column wheel, a vertical clutch, a beat rate of 4 Hz, and about 46 hours of power reserve. Earlier versions of the same look used a modified Valjoux 7750. Water resistance is rated at 3 bar, which covers rain and hand washing, not swimming.
What Makes Some Replica IW371673 Watches Better Than Others?
Five details decide whether a copy looks right on the wrist.
- Subdial placement. The 30-minute counter sits at 12 and the small seconds at 6. Wrong spacing pulls the counters toward the center and ruins the proportions.
- Crystal. Sapphire with inner anti-reflective coating. Mineral glass scratches and looks dull under indoor light.
- Case finish. Brushed flanks, a polished bezel edge, and sharp lug bevels. Budget cases feel soft and show uneven brushing.
- Dial printing. Clean IWC and Schaffhausen text, even font weight, and applied numerals that catch light in a crisp line.
- Movement. A 69355-style clone or a decorated 7750 base. Quartz copies turn up often, and the ticking seconds hand gives them away.
Which Movement Sits Inside a Replica IW371673?
Clone 69355 automatic
The top tier of replica IW371673 runs a copy of the 69355 layout, with a column wheel and a vertical clutch. Pushers feel smooth and the chronograph hand starts without a jump. Expect a power reserve in the 40-hour range.
A7750-based automatic
Most mid-range copies use the Asian 7750 with a decorated rotor and engraved bridges. It keeps time well after regulation, but the rotor is louder and the chronograph action feels heavier than the original.
Quartz
Quartz builds sell for the least and show it. The seconds hand ticks once per second instead of sweeping, and the case tends to run thinner than 13 mm.
How to Check a Replica IW371673 Before You Pay
- Ask for a caseback photo. The engraving should be sharp and centered, with the reference and movement numbers in the right spots.
- Test the pushers in a video. They should click at start, stop, and reset without grit or a long throw.
- Confirm the case size. A correct copy measures 41 mm wide and near 13 mm thick. Anything past 14 mm sits tall and wears badly.
- Look at the strap. The genuine watch ships on alligator. Most copies use embossed calf leather that creases within weeks, so budget for a replacement.
- Watch the seconds hand. An automatic sweeps in a smooth arc. A quartz tick is the fastest tell from across a table.
Price Ranges for Replica IW371673
- Under $100. Quartz or a basic automatic, mineral glass, hollow case. Fine as a costume piece, poor as a daily watch.
- $150 to $300. A7750 automatic, sapphire on some builds, solid dial printing, average case finishing.
- $350 to $700. Clone 69355 movement, sapphire with anti-reflective coating, closer case geometry, better strap options. This tier is where the replica IW371673 looks convincing up close.
Service and Care
A mechanical chronograph wants a service every three to five years, or sooner if it starts losing time. Keep the watch away from water, strong magnets, and hard knocks, since a drop can shift the balance staff.
For a watch that sits unworn, give the crown 20 turns every few weeks or use a winder. Store it in a dry case with the strap relaxed rather than curled, which keeps the leather from cracking.
FAQ
Is the replica IW371673 water resistant?
Treat it as splash proof. The genuine watch is rated at 3 bar, and most copies repeat that number on the caseback. Do not swim or shower with it.
How close is a replica IW371673 to the real watch?
From the outside, a top-tier copy lands close: same case size, sapphire crystal, dial layout, and hand shape. Inside, the bridge finishing and gear polish fall short of IWC's standard, and only a watchmaker would see that.
What wrist size fits the IW371673?
The 41 mm case wears like a dress watch because of the thin lugs and slim bezel. Wrists from about 6.5 inches and up handle it well.
How much should I pay for a replica IW371673?
Most buyers land between $350 and $700. Below that range, expect a 7750 base or quartz. Above it, you pay for a seller's name rather than better parts.