A replica IW371759 is a copy of the IWC Portugieser Chronograph reference IW371759, built to match the look of the original at a fraction of the price. The quality of any replica IW371759 depends far more on the factory tier and the movement inside than on the reference number stamped on the caseback, so the reference alone tells you little about what you are actually buying.

This guide covers what the watch is meant to copy, which tiers exist, and the details that decide whether the copy looks and feels convincing on the wrist.

The original this replica copies

The reference belongs to the Portugieser Chronograph family, a line IWC has built around a clean, open dial: a round polished case, slim bezel, two subdials, applied numerals, and the leaf-shaped hands the Portugieser is known for. A chronograph of this type pairs a self-winding movement with a leather strap and a sapphire crystal.

Because replica makers build to the visible reference, the features worth confirming are the ones you can measure: case diameter, thickness, subdial spacing, the position of the crown and pushers, and the dial layout. Checking those numbers against official reference data before you order is the single most useful step you can take.

Quality tiers you will see

• Entry tier: mineral glass, printed dial detail, basic automatic or quartz movement, light case finishing. It looks right in a photo and less right in the hand.
• Mid tier: sapphire crystal, a functional automatic chronograph movement, cleaner brushing and polishing on the case.
• High tier or super clone: sapphire with anti-reflective coating, a purpose-built automatic chronograph, subdials placed to match the original, engraved caseback, closer crown and lug geometry.

Price follows those tiers, so the same reference number appears at very different price points. Ask which tier a listing belongs to instead of judging by photos alone.

Movement options and what they mean for you

Three movements turn up in this reference. Quartz is the cheapest and the least convincing, because the chronograph seconds jump rather than sweep. A generic Asian automatic chronograph, usually from the 7750 family, gives a sweeping chronograph hand and a familiar pusher feel, though it can add thickness. The closest match is a clone automatic built around the same chronograph layout as the genuine movement, which keeps case proportions truer and winding smoother.

Ask three questions about any movement: is the chronograph functional, what is the power reserve, and how many jewels does it have. A watch with decorative subdials that never move is the most common disappointment.

Before you buy: a short checklist

• Confirm case diameter and thickness against the genuine reference.
• Check subdial positions, hand lengths, and dial printing under a loupe if you can.
• Confirm the crystal type and whether it has anti-reflective coating.
• Ask whether the chronograph pushers start, stop, and reset.
• Look at the caseback engraving and how the serial is laid out.
• Check strap quality, buckle markings, and spring bar type.
• Treat any water resistance claim as overstated and keep the watch dry.

Finishing details that separate good from average

The visible differences between a good replica IW371759 and an average one sit in the transitions. Look at the edge where brushed surfaces meet polished ones, the crispness of the dial printing, the gap between the crown and the case, and the way the pushers travel when pressed. A well-finished copy also sits correctly on the wrist: lugs that curve with the case and a strap that meets the case without a gap make more difference to how the watch reads than any engraving.

Care, service, and realistic limits

An automatic replica is a mechanical watch and benefits from the same habits as any other: keep it away from strong magnets, avoid knocks to the crown side, and do not operate the pushers while the watch is wet. Reset a chronograph by stopping it first, then pressing reset, rather than resetting while it runs. If the movement becomes noisy or loses time badly, a watchmaker can service or replace it at modest cost. Expect the case finish and the strap to show wear sooner than on a genuine watch.

Common questions

Is the chronograph functional?

On mid and high tier builds, yes. On entry tier builds the subdials are sometimes decorative. Confirm it in writing before you pay.

Will it match the thickness of the original?

Thin chronograph cases are hard to copy. Clone movements come closest, while 7750-based builds can add a millimetre or two. Ask for a measured thickness, not a nominal figure.

Does it come with box and papers?

Boxes and cards are props and add nothing to the watch. Put that budget toward a better movement and crystal instead.

Bottom line

A replica IW371759 is worth buying when the case proportions, dial printing, crystal, and chronograph movement all sit in the right tier. Choose the movement and crystal first, verify the measurements against the genuine reference, and treat the reference number as the start of your research rather than proof of quality.