Short answer
A replica IW329051 is a copy of an IWC dive watch from the Aquatimer Automatic 42 family. The genuine watch has a 42 mm steel case, an automatic movement, and a 300 m water rating. Replicas sell from about $90 to $700. Most run a Miyota 9015 or an Asian clone of the ETA 2824. None of them keep the 300 m rating. A pressure test at a watchmaker is the one way to know what a replica case can take.
One caution before any purchase. IWC does not list reference IW329051 on iwc.com. The Aquatimer Automatic 42 catalog uses references in the IW3290xx range. A seller who cannot show the reference on a caseback photo or a warranty card is selling an unverified item.
What the reference points to
The Aquatimer is IWC's dive line. The name dates to 1967. The Automatic 42 is the entry model in that line. It came in steel with a rubber strap or a steel bracelet. It has an internal rotating bezel with the SafeDive system and a sapphire crystal. Case diameter is 42 mm. Thickness is about 14 mm. Water resistance is 300 m on the genuine watch.
The movement is IWC caliber 30120, based on the Sellita SW300-1. That movement runs at 28,800 vph with 25 jewels and about 42 hours of power reserve. The dial is black with applied indices, lume on the hands and markers, and a date at 3 o'clock.
Replica tiers and prices
- Budget, $90 to $180. Alloy or low-grade steel case, mineral glass, quartz or a cheap automatic, printed dial, basic rubber strap.
- Mid, $200 to $400. 316L steel case, sapphire crystal, Miyota 9015, better dial print, screw-down crown with unknown sealing.
- High, $400 to $700. Closer case dimensions, engraved caseback, anti-reflective coating, solid end links, clone ETA 2824 or a decorated automatic.
Movement options
Miyota 9015. 24 jewels, 28,800 vph, about 42 hours. Parts are easy to source and a watchmaker can service it.
Clone ETA 2824-2. 25 jewels, 28,800 vph, about 38 to 40 hours. Common in the $300 to $600 tier. Service cost runs $120 to $200 in parts and labor.
Seagull ST2130. A 2824 pattern movement at 28,800 vph. Tolerances vary between batches.
What to check before you buy
- Crown threads. Turn the crown in and out five times. Gritty threads strip within months.
- Bezel action and alignment. The triangle at 12 should sit on the marker, not beside it.
- Dial print and index alignment. Look at 12 o'clock and 6 o'clock under a phone light.
- Date window centering. A date that sits high or low means a mismatched dial and movement.
- Caseback engraving depth and font. Shallow, fuzzy text points to a low tier case.
- Lume at night. Charge it for 30 seconds and check after 10 minutes.
Water resistance facts
Replica cases are assembled without a pressure test. Gaskets can be dry, pinched, or missing. A 300 m claim in a listing means nothing. If you plan to swim, have a watchmaker test the case and reseal it. Cost is about $30 to $60. Many replicas fail at 3 bar.
Where listings go wrong
Claims to question: "Swiss made" on a watch under $200, "1:1" without photos of the real caseback, and stock images that show the genuine watch. Ask for a timestamped photo of the dial, the caseback, and the crown side. Sellers who refuse are not worth the risk.