What Is a Fake IW371790?
A fake IW371790 is a replica of the IWC Pilot's Watch Chronograph, a 42 mm steel watch with a black dial, two subdials, and a day-date window at 3 o'clock. The reference belongs to the 3717 family, and the last two digits mark the dial and strap combination rather than a different model. Replicas range from cheap quartz versions to close copies built around a Valjoux 7750 style automatic chronograph.
IWC retired the 3717 line years ago. That single fact drives the whole market: any watch sold as new old stock deserves a close look, and a buyer who knows the original layout can spot most replicas in under a minute.
How Do You Tell a Fake IW371790 From a Real One?
Start with the dial printing and the subdial spacing. Those two details expose most replicas before anyone opens the case.
Dial and hand details
- Subdials: the 3717 runs a 12-hour chronograph counter at 12 and running seconds at 6. Many fakes drop in a 30-minute counter or shift the subdial positions.
- Day and date: both wheels sit in one window at 3 o'clock with crisp type. Skewed text or a mismatched day wheel is a common flaw.
- Printing: genuine text is sharp and level. Replica "IWC" and "Schaffhausen" lines run thick, blur at the edges, or sit off center.
- Hands: broad sword shapes with clean lume fill. Lume that spills over the frame or looks chalky points to a copy.
- Lume color: a real 3717 ages to a warm cream. Bright white lume on a watch sold as original is a warning sign.
Case, crystal, and bezel
- Case size: 42 mm across, about 14.5 mm thick. Replicas run a millimeter wide or sit fatter on the wrist.
- Crystal: sapphire with a slight dome and anti-reflective coating on both faces. Fakes use flat mineral glass with a visible blue or purple tint.
- Finish: brushed flanks with polished bevels. Cheap copies show rounded edges and uneven brushing.
- Crown: screw-down, signed, with firm threads. A crown that wobbles or binds is a red flag.
Movement
The genuine 3717 uses an IWC-modified Valjoux 7750 with a 44-hour power reserve. Replicas carry an Asian 7750, a cheaper 21-jewel automatic, or a quartz module.
Push the chrono and watch the large seconds hand. A real 7750 starts with a small jump and sweeps in steps of eight beats per second. A quartz chrono ticks once per second, and that alone ends the question.
Caseback and engravings
Look at the reference number, the serial, and the metal stamp. The font IWC used is thin and even, and the digits are etched rather than punched deep into the steel.
Replica casebacks carry the wrong reference, a generic "stainless steel" line, or an engraving that sits too shallow. Compare seller photos against a known original from the same production year.
Strap and clasp
- Leather: thick, matte, with tight stitching. Sellers swap in thin glossy straps that never came from IWC.
- Bracelet: brushed steel with signed links and a fine-adjust clasp. Look for the IWC mark on the clasp blade.
- Spring bars: quick-release bars on a watch sold as original are a swap.
Straps get changed on real watches too, so treat this as supporting evidence rather than proof. Pair it with the dial and movement checks.
Why Do Replicas of the 3717 Get Details Wrong?
The 3717 packs a day-date mechanism and a chronograph into a case about 14.5 mm thick. Copy makers who start with a thin quartz base cannot fit both, so they drop the day wheel or make the subdials decorative.
Dial printing is the other hard part. IWC printed fine type on a matte black surface, and cheap pad printing smears at that size. That is why replica text looks heavier than the original.
What Movement Sits Inside a Fake IW371790?
Three builds show up in the market, and each one tells you what to expect for accuracy and service life.
- Quartz: a battery module with a ticking chrono hand. Cheap to buy, easy to spot, and the subdials may be printed rather than working.
- Asian 7750: an automatic chronograph with the correct subdial layout. This is the common mid-tier build and the one that looks closest on the wrist.
- Swiss or clone 7750 with a decorated rotor: the top tier. Expect correct hand stacking, a working day-date changeover, and a rotor that spins with one flick.
Ask the seller which movement is inside and request a photo with the caseback off. A seller who dodges the question is hiding a quartz build.
How Much Should a Fake IW371790 Cost?
Price tracks the movement, not the name on the dial. Three bands cover the market.
- Quartz builds: low cost, sold in bulk on marketplaces. Skip these if you want a watch that feels close to the original.
- Asian 7750 builds: the middle band. Good dial work, correct subdials, and standard parts for servicing.
- Top-tier clones: the highest band. Best case finishing, correct fonts, and a movement that takes off-the-shelf parts.
A "genuine" 371790 offered far below the going rate for a used IWC Pilot's Chronograph is the clearest sign of a replica. Check recent sold listings on a resale platform before you pay.
What Should You Check Before Buying?
- Confirm the reference and the subdial layout in clear photos.
- Ask for a movement photo with the caseback off.
- Compare dial text against a known original from the same year.
- Test the date changeover at midnight and the chrono reset to zero.
- Request the serial number and search it.
- Buy from a seller who offers a return window.
FAQ
Is the IW371790 still in production?
No. The 3717 family left the IWC catalog years ago, so every unit today is second-hand or a replica.
Can a jeweler tell a fake IW371790?
Yes, and fast. Subdial spacing, lume color, and the behavior of the chrono seconds give it away in seconds.
Does a replica IW371790 hold value?
No. A replica loses value the moment you buy it. Only a genuine 3717 keeps its price on the used market.
Is a quartz replica worth buying?
Only if you want the look and nothing else. The ticking chrono hand and printed subdials make it obvious to anyone who knows the watch.
The Short Version
Match the subdial layout, confirm the movement type, and inspect the caseback font. Get those three right and you can sort a fake IW371790 from a real one without tools.