The fake Big Pilot IW510 is a replica of the IWC Big Pilot's Watch reference IW5010, a 46.2 mm pilot's watch powered by the in-house caliber 52110 with a 7-day (168-hour) power reserve. Genuine examples sell for roughly $12,000 to $15,000 on leather, which is why replica demand stays high. High-grade super clones copy the case size, dial layout, conical crown, and sapphire display back, but no replica matches the real Pellaton winding system or the true seven-day reserve.
What does the genuine IW5010 look like?
The Big Pilot's Watch IW5010 measures 46.2 mm across, about 15.4 mm thick, with 22 mm lugs and a soft-iron inner case for antimagnetic protection. The dial carries a power reserve indicator at 3 o'clock, a date window at 6 o'clock, and central seconds. A domed sapphire crystal with double-sided anti-reflective coating and a sapphire display back finish the package.
Reference variants include the black-dial IW501001 and the blue-dial Le Petit Prince IW501002. Both share the same 52110 movement: 4 Hz, 168 hours of reserve, and Pellaton winding with ceramic components.
How do you spot a fake Big Pilot IW510?
Dial and hands
- The power reserve indicator never moves on most replicas, or it drains in minutes.
- Dial text spacing looks wrong: Schaffhausen, Automatic, and 7 Days sit too tight, too loose, or use the wrong font weight.
- Date numerals are thin or off-center, and lume plots read green instead of the genuine cream tone.
Case, crown, and crystal
- Genuine case lines are crisp with sharp lug bevels. Replica cases often measure 45 mm or 47 mm and feel light in hand.
- The conical crown should screw down with firm resistance and sit flush. A wobbly crown is a replica tell.
- Double AR coating gives the genuine crystal a faint blue sheen. Single-coated replicas look flat or purple.
Movement and caseback
Through the display back a genuine 52110 shows Geneva stripes, blued screws, and a signed rotor. Replicas run a decorated Asian automatic, often a 9015 base, with a 40-hour reserve. Caseback engraving on copies is shallow and the reference spacing is off.
What should you expect from a high-grade Big Pilot replica?
Better replicas use a 316L or 904L steel case, sapphire on both sides, and a decorated movement that mimics the 52110 layout. Expect close 46 mm proportions, a working date, and a power reserve needle that functions but tracks only about 40 hours. Weight lands near 110 to 130 grams on leather, close to the real watch.
How much do replica Big Pilot IW510 watches cost?
- Entry tier ($80 to $150): mineral glass, plated case, non-working power reserve.
- Mid tier ($200 to $350): sapphire crystal, solid automatic, correct dial printing.
- Super clone tier ($450 to $700): 904L steel, clone-style movement decoration, near-perfect dial and crown.
Buying checklist
- Ask for real photos of the exact watch, not catalog renders.
- Confirm case diameter and thickness with calipers in the photo.
- Request a video of the power reserve needle and the date change at midnight.
- Check the crown threads and the crystal AR tint in daylight.
FAQ
Is the fake Big Pilot IW510 the same size as the real one?
Good replicas hit 46 mm, but many measure 45 mm or 47 mm, and thickness often runs about 1 mm over the genuine 15.4 mm.
Does the replica have a 7-day power reserve?
No. Replica movements deliver roughly 36 to 42 hours, and the 7 Days text on the dial is cosmetic on most copies.
Can a watchmaker tell a super clone from the real IW5010?
Yes. Removing the caseback exposes the movement architecture, and the Pellaton winding system and free-sprung balance are hard to fake.