A replica IW371618 is a copy of the IWC Portugieser Chronograph, a 41mm stainless steel watch with a column-wheel chronograph movement. The best replicas match the case size, the two-subdial dial layout, and the date window at 3 o'clock, and they sell for roughly $250 to $600 based on the movement inside.
The reference number matters more than most buyers expect. IWC uses the digits after IW3716 to mark a specific dial color, hand finish, and strap or bracelet pairing. Confirm those three details first if you want the look of one exact variant.
What Is the IWC Portugieser Chronograph IW371618?
The IW3716 family replaced the older IW3714 in 2020 and switched to an in-house caliber. The case shape, the leaf hands, and the two-register dial carried over, so reps from either era look alike at arm's length.
IWC calls the line the Portugieser Chronograph. It sits in the dress-sport slot: slim enough for a shirt cuff, with a working chronograph for daily use. That mix is why the replica market pays attention to it.
Specs of the Genuine IW371618
- Case: 41mm diameter, about 13mm thick, stainless steel, brushed flanks with polished bevels
- Movement: IWC caliber 69355, automatic, column wheel, 46 hours of power reserve, 28,800 vph
- Functions: hours, minutes, small seconds at 6, chronograph minutes at 12, date at 3
- Crystal: sapphire front and sapphire caseback, antireflective coating on the inside
- Water resistance: 3 bar (30 meters) as delivered
- Lug width: 20mm, with alligator leather or a steel bracelet depending on the variant
How Close Is a Good Replica IW371618?
Case and profile
Top replicas cut a 41mm case from 316L steel with the same lug curve as the original. Thickness lands within a few tenths of a millimeter on the better builds. Cheap versions run thick, and the crown sits proud of the case, which is the first tell in person.
Dial and subdials
Dial printing on the best copies is crisp, and the applied numerals catch light the way the real ones do. Subdial spacing is the common weak point: reps built on generic chronograph movements push the subdials toward the center. Date font and window placement also drift on lower grades.
Movement
Most replica IW371618 watches run one of three movements: a quartz chronograph, an Asia 7750, or a clone of the 69355. Only the clone matches the winding feel, the pusher snap, and the rotor sound. The Asia 7750 keeps decent time but the pushers feel soft.
Bracelet and strap
A steel bracelet needs solid end links and a clasp with correct engraving depth. Leather straps vary more, since hide quality is hard to judge from photos. Ask for close-ups of the clasp and the spring bar fit before you pay.
Replica Grades Explained
- Budget quartz ($80 to $150): correct size on paper, wrong thickness, stamped dial, chrono hand that ticks in one-second steps.
- Mid-tier quartz chrono ($150 to $250): working chronograph and a better dial, still a giveaway in hand for anyone who knows the watch.
- Asia 7750 automatic ($250 to $400): the value pick. Real chronograph, smooth sweep, correct subdial layout on the good builds.
- Clone 69355 super clone ($400 and up): closest to the real thing, including caseback look and pusher feel.
What to Check Before You Buy a Replica IW371618
- Case thickness and lug width, measured against the 13mm and 20mm figures.
- Subdials at 12 and 6, with the date at 3.
- Stated movement type: clone, Asia 7750, or quartz.
- Photos of the caseback, clasp, and crown taken by the seller, not stock images.
- A return window and a payment method you can reverse.
How Much Does a Replica IW371618 Cost?
A quartz model runs $80 to $150, a good automatic runs $250 to $400, and a super clone starts near $400. Anything under $80 that claims a Swiss automatic movement is not telling the truth. Dealers who post real photos and answer spec questions earn a small premium.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the replica IW371618 chronograph work?
On quartz chrono and Asia 7750 builds, yes. The center seconds hand starts, stops, and resets, and the 12 o'clock subdial counts elapsed minutes. On the cheapest copies the chrono hand jumps once per second, and a real column wheel never does that.
Can a jeweler spot a replica IW371618?
From across a counter, no. In hand, yes: movement finish, crown action, and bracelet weight separate the two. Anyone who opens the caseback will know in seconds.
How long does a replica IW371618 last?
Quartz copies run for years with a battery swap. Automatic reps need a service every three to five years, and clone movements hold up better than older 7750 builds. Water resistance is the weak point, so keep them out of pools and showers.
Care Tips for a Replica IW371618
Wipe the case with a soft cloth after wear and keep leather straps dry. Store an automatic on a winder or wind it by hand every few days. Never press the chronograph pushers with the crown pulled out, and treat the 30-meter rating as splash protection only.
A replica will not gain value, and it will not fool a watchmaker. Buy one for the look and the wrist feel, keep your expectations in line with the grade you pay for, and the watch does its job.