A fake IW371747 is a replica of IWC's Pilot's Watch Chronograph from the 3717 reference family, and the quickest way to separate it from the real thing is the movement: genuine examples run IWC calibre 79320, a reworked Valjoux 7750, while most replicas use a stock clone, a cheap automatic, or a quartz module. The reference itself sits in a line of 44 mm steel pilot chronographs that IWC produced from roughly 2006 to 2012, which is exactly why it attracts so much copying.
What the IW371747 Actually Is
The 3717 family is a large steel chronograph built around a classic pilot layout. On the dial you get a day and date window at 3 o'clock, a 30 minute counter at 12, and running small seconds at 6. The case is about 44 mm across with a soft iron inner cage for magnetic protection, and water resistance is rated around 6 bar. Suffixes such as 747 identify a specific dial, strap, or bracelet combination inside that family, so two watches with nearly identical specs can carry different reference numbers.
Why This Reference Gets Copied
Three reasons drive the market for a replica IW371747. The design is instantly readable as IWC. The used price sits in a range that feels reachable next to other Swiss chronographs. And the 7750 base movement is widely documented, which makes it easier for copy houses to source something that looks similar from the outside. That last point is the problem for buyers, because looking similar and running similar are not the same thing.
Dial and Case Tells
- Subdial spacing: on a real 3717 the 12 and 6 subdials sit close to the center. Many fakes stretch the gap because the donor movement has a different layout.
- Day and date alignment: a genuine watch changes both cleanly at midnight. A fake often lags, drifts, or shows a mismatched font.
- Print quality: look at the IWC wordmark and 'Schaffhausen' text. Fakes show thick strokes, uneven kerning, or paint that sits on top of the dial instead of in it.
- Hands and lume: genuine hands are well finished, and the lume is applied in an even layer. Replicas show rough edges, excess paint, or a color that shifts to green under low light.
- Crystal coating: the original has anti reflective treatment that gives the dial a slight blue or purple cast at an angle. Cheap copies skip it or apply it unevenly.
- Case finish: brushing should run in one consistent direction with crisp transitions to the polished bevels. Fakes show wavy grain and soft edges.
Movement Checks That Settle It
IWC calibre 79320 is a Valjoux 7750 derivative, so expect the traits of that architecture. The rotor swings with a visible wobble when you move the watch, the winding feels firm but smooth, and the chronograph pushers have a short, positive travel. Press start, then reset, and the hands should snap back to zero in one motion. A replica often feels mushy at the pushers, hesitates on reset, or uses a quartz movement that ticks instead of sweeping. Take a loupe to the caseback engraving as well. Reference numbers, serial numbers, and the IWC stamp should be cut cleanly and consistently, not stamped shallow and filled with dirt.
Bracelet, Clasp, and Hardware
End links should meet the case with almost no gap, and the bracelet should flex without rattling. On a fake IW371747 you often see loose end links, uneven link widths, and a clasp with shallow engraving or the wrong fold geometry. Screw pins that strip easily and spring bars that bend during a strap change are common on lower tier copies.
Papers, Box, and Serial Numbers
- Match the serial on the caseback to the warranty card, booklet, and any service paperwork.
- Check that the reference number on the card matches the watch, not just the model name.
- Ask for service records. A genuine 3717 that has been to IWC or an authorized watchmaker will usually have a paper trail.
- Be wary of a full set that looks new while the watch shows heavy wear, or vice versa.
What Buyers Ask Most Often
The recurring questions are about tier. Entry level replicas are usually quartz, mid tier uses a generic automatic, and the better copies use a 7750 clone with a decorated rotor. The clone can run, but the chronograph module is the weak point, and repair costs frequently exceed what the watch is worth. If you own a replica rather than a genuine piece, treat the pushers gently, avoid pressing reset while the chrono is running for long periods, and budget for a movement service or replacement.
Legal and Practical Notes
Counterfeit watches are illegal to sell or import in the United States, and shipments can be seized by customs. Reselling a fake IW371747 as genuine is trademark counterfeiting and carries real legal exposure. Buy from a seller who allows an independent inspection, and if the price looks far below the market for a 3717, assume the watch is not what the listing claims.
Quick Checklist
- Does the movement match calibre 79320 behavior, including the rotor wobble and reset snap?
- Are the subdials correctly spaced and the day and date fonts correct?
- Does the dial print look clean under magnification?
- Do the bracelet end links fit the case without gaps?
- Do the serial and reference numbers match across watch, card, and box?